A New Milestone For Skateboarding

I know what you’re thinking.  Just because Tony Hawk rocked out in a room full of tight whitey-wearing jocks doesn’t make it a landmark moment for skateboarders let alone skateboarding in general.  That was an embarrassment to tell you the truth.  You couldn’t pay me any amount of money to do what those guys did.  “Risky Business” is definitely not one of Tom Cruise’s best.  They should have done something out of “Top Gun”.  Now that would be classic. 

Actually the Skateboard got inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this week.  It is truly a great honor to finally have the “toy” that many of you use as a form of expression, means to make cash, taxiing your friends around, and a way to get to the mall, in good company.  The skateboard will sit along side such classics as the Hula Hoop, Silly Putty, and George The Animal Steal. 

The stick (the stick???), the baby doll and the skateboard are the latest inductees into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Legendary skateboarder and Guitar Hero extraordinaire Tony Hawk donated a personal skateboard for the display.  Strong National Museum of Play inducted the latest members Thursday. All three toys were honored for their role in America’s youth.

“I think that the three were chosen because, of course they’re all classic toys; they’ve been around for generations – the stick since prehistoric times and its used for both practical and imaginative uses. The baby doll because it really does bring out the imaginative play and creativity and it brings out the nurturing role in all of us, and the skateboard because it’s without rules,” said Susan Asbury, associate curator.