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Not Rollerblading!
Skating on wheels has been around for longer than you may think; since the early 1800's at least! Although early skates were primitive, they did use the four wheel "quad" design that still exists today for recreational use. Modern skates have evolved to place the wheels in a line under the foot's center of balance. These "inline" skates offer greater speed and glide, allowing advanced skaters to mimic classic ice speed skating technique. Additionally advanced skaters can make use of a technique that is unique to inline skating; the so called "double push" technique.
While inline skating evolved throughout the years, it really took off in the 1990s. Since then however the sport has leveled off. During its popularization, skate manufacturing companies such as Rollerblade were at the forefront of recreational equipment. Becasue of this positioning their brand name became synonymous with the act of inline skating.
Rollerblade is a registered trademark of a brand of inline skates, so when speaking of inline skating always use the term inline skating, its more precise and you aren't being an unwitting sales rep for Rollerblade.
For a complete history of inline skating take a look at the Wikipedia entry for inline skating.
