Prior to the 1950s skateboards were more like scooters, with roller-skate wheels attached to a two by four and a push-bar with handles. The first skateboard was born out of this contraption when the push-bar was broken off. The invention of urethane wheels in the 1970s revolutionized skateboarding, allowing skateboarders to push their tricks to new levels. The evolution of the skateboard from the 1970s into the 1980s gave birth to the "ollie," the skateboard trick that took skateboarding to the level we see today.
Deck
Decks come in many shapes and sizes, from mini decks to six-foot long cruisers. They are made from plastic, metal, fiberglass, wood, bamboo and even carbon fiber. Wood is the most common substrate, typically maple plywood. Longboard decks are usually over 30 inches and as long as six feet. Longboards are typically flat with no kicktail, which is where the tail of the board rises above the deck. These decks are perfect for cruising, bombing hills and large carving turns. Skate park and street skating decks are shorter and have kicktails on both ends of the board. You can use these for riding the bowls, grinding rails or performing aerials. Old school decks are longer, wider and have only one kicktail, usually steeper than your average deck. Grip tape is put on top of the deck prior to riding. It has a sandpaper surface and is used to keep your feet from slipping off the board.
Trucks
Trucks are specific to the type of board and style of skating. There are three main components in trucks. The base plate attaches the trucks to the deck. Bushings are large, thick washers inside a housing with an adjustment screw that set the tension of the trucks. This will determine how easy the board will turn. The hanger is the axle and attaches the wheels to the trucks. Trucks for longboards are wider and are further apart on the deck, which increases the wheel base and makes the board turn with more of an arc. Skate park and street skating trucks are set with a narrow wheel base, making the board easier to kick turn.
Wheels
Most standard skateboard wheels are made from polyurethane. Longboard wheels are wider and thicker than your standard skateboard wheel, making them perfect for hugging wide turns. Street skating wheels are smaller and harder, allowing the wheels to slide more easily. Skate park wheels are larger than street skating wheels and are excellent for higher speeds or when skating bowls and ramps.
Bearings
Bearings are made from either stainless steel or ceramic composite. Steel bearings are the most common and have been used for more than 50 years. Ceramic bearings are relatively new to the market, and are for the skater that needs that extra performance. Price is a factor when purchasing bearings. Ceramic bearings are typically twice as expensive as steel.
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