Clamp-on, ball bearing roller skates enjoyed widespread popularity among American children in the beginning of the late 1930s and during the decades following World War II. Most of these skates fit onto skater’s shoes, and had adjustable metal toe clamps and foot beds that permitted use by children of all ages and sizes. Skate keys permitted those adjustments, and became an important part of any skate purchase. Often worn around the necks of children (threaded through the key’s central loop), skate keys became a badge of pride for the children who owned them.
The date (9/9) has reappeared in the fourth panel. The three recent strips with Snoopy as a snake (9/6 – 9/8 of 1955, run here on 7/29 – 7/31) were not dated, either here or on the regular Peanuts page. Anyone have any ideas about this? I thought Schulz always dated his strips.
In the fifties I used my skates a lot and I replaced those two small clamps in front that only covered the sole of the shoe, and sometimes slipped off, with larger clamps that came up over the top of my shoes. These were also great because they let you wear sneakers. Great roller skates that you could always make larger as your feet grew with that wonderful skate key. I loved ‘em!!
bigcatrik over 1 year ago
I only had one. “I’ve got a brand new pair of roller skates/You got a brand new key.” #1 hit in December 1971 – https://youtu.be/RCTMTflcuug
orinoco womble over 1 year ago
Where did she get the extras? I only had one.
Cpeckbourlioux over 1 year ago
I was wondering…
iggyman over 1 year ago
I remember them well!
The Reader Premium Member over 1 year ago
Melanie has a lot to answer for.
uniquename over 1 year ago
Maybe she should hide one someplace near where she actually uses roller skates.
Ed The Red Premium Member over 1 year ago
Clamp-on, ball bearing roller skates enjoyed widespread popularity among American children in the beginning of the late 1930s and during the decades following World War II. Most of these skates fit onto skater’s shoes, and had adjustable metal toe clamps and foot beds that permitted use by children of all ages and sizes. Skate keys permitted those adjustments, and became an important part of any skate purchase. Often worn around the necks of children (threaded through the key’s central loop), skate keys became a badge of pride for the children who owned them.
https://emuseum.nyhistory.org/objects/77486/skate-key
allangary over 1 year ago
The date (9/9) has reappeared in the fourth panel. The three recent strips with Snoopy as a snake (9/6 – 9/8 of 1955, run here on 7/29 – 7/31) were not dated, either here or on the regular Peanuts page. Anyone have any ideas about this? I thought Schulz always dated his strips.
Blu Bunny over 1 year ago
So where her’s skates?
dv1093 over 1 year ago
I’d really like to know how many readers have NO idea what a roller skate key is (was).
I❤️Peanuts over 1 year ago
In the fifties I used my skates a lot and I replaced those two small clamps in front that only covered the sole of the shoe, and sometimes slipped off, with larger clamps that came up over the top of my shoes. These were also great because they let you wear sneakers. Great roller skates that you could always make larger as your feet grew with that wonderful skate key. I loved ‘em!!