Skateboards

Skateboards are the primary instrument in the sport that has grown since its inception in the middle of the 20th century. They’re the primary driver of sports for a young demographic, from kids as young as 4-6 to adults in their mid 20s through their 40s who have gone pro at the sport. As an economic engine, the sport derives most of its money from the advertising industry, like most industries in a capitalist society. The overarching theme is to find the talent in the field, publicize them, and then get endorsement deals so that all the amateur and other practitioners of the sport recognize the gear as tied to the skill and seek the equipment.

Skateboards are of relatively simple configuration. There is the deck, which is between 6 and 10 plywood pieces warmed and glued together covered in deck tape for traction when you’re trying to nail those tricks. The rest of the composition of the instrument is simply attaching the wheels to the bottom of the deck. The trucks provide the housing for the kingpin, axel, wheels, and bearings. It is either forged or cast and then screwed to the underside of deck. The kingpin regulates turning capacity, the axel houses the wheels, and the wheels are of varying hardnesses of polyurethane.