Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly come a long way since then!
In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. But it wasn’t until the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music in the 1970s that roller skating became a huge trend. It seemed like everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!

Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may look like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it is actually a skate key. With the skate key, you could adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back of the pair. And to make sure they didn’t get lost while skating, most people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but significant part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were such an integral part of roller skating that there have even been songs written about them! They symbolize a time when roller skating was a cherished activity, filled with fun and memories.
So, do you remember skate keys? We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
The $1 Bill To Keep An Eye Out For

Consider carefully examining a $1 dollar if you happen to have it in your wallet. Certain $1 bills may not look like much money, but they could be worth much more than their face value.
Right now, money with “fancy” serial numbers is sought after by a website called CoolSerialNumbers.com. Additionally, you might be able to sell one of these notes to the website for hundreds or even thousands of dollars if it has a fancy serial number.
What precisely is a fancy serial number determined by, then? Here are some instances to be aware of:
- Seven consecutive repeating digits: You might have struck gold if you come across a $1 bill with a serial number like 09999999, 18888888, or 19999999.
- Seven in a row: Seek out a banknote bearing a serial number consisting of seven consecutive digits, such 00010000, 00090000, or 90999999.
- Super radars are banknotes having serial numbers, such as 01111110, 10000001, or 80000008, that are the same both forward and backward.
- Super repeaters: Look for banknotes that have a four-digit pattern that repeats, such 67676767.
- Double quads: Seek out banknotes bearing a serial number consisting of two groups of four consecutive digits, such as 11110000, 44440000, or 88880000.

And there’s still more to learn! To see what further serial numbers they are currently seeking, visit the website’s Want List.
Is it really true? Even something as insignificant as a folded $1 note has the potential to be a priceless gem. So, everyone, start looking in your wallets! It could be your fortunate day today.

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