Roller Skates

                   The first pair of roller skates were worn in 1760 by Joseph Merlin, a musical instrument maker who loved to invent things. invited to a costume party, Merlin arrived with his newly-made skates. He put them on and rolled into the ball room playing a violin. Unfortunately, he had not learned how to stop or change directions. He sailed widely across the floor and crashed into a large mirror. He smashed the mirror, broke his violin and cut himself severely. But the idea soon caught on, and people have been rolling along on roller skates ever since.