The history of figure skating dates back to prehistoric times, where figure skating originated as one branch of the overarching topic of ice skating.  It has since developed into a modern-day sport that captivates people all around the world.  Archaeologists are unable to pinpoint the exact location and time that people began to ice skate, but evidence suggests that this activity, wherever it may have originated, was widespread.  Primitive animal bone ice skates have been recovered from places including Russia, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Switzerland, and Germany.  The areas in which these early skates were found suggest that skates may have been used to cross large, icy stretches of land.  Both the efficiency and convenience to travel by skates was highly regarded several years back.



Animal-Bone Skates

The first actual mention of figure skating can be found in a novel written by a monk from Canterbury by the name of William Fitzstephen.  In his work, he vividly describes a scene in which the children of London skate on the pond.  He refers to the use of sticks for support, since animal-bone ice skates did not allow for much movement without a support feature.  Edges of steel were later added to ice skates, and this enhanced design is incredibly similar to the modern-day skates people skate on today.  The Dutch are credited with adding these edges in the 13th and 14th centuries, and another dutchman is also given credit for playing with the height to width ratio of the metal blades of the skates.  The various improvements made to the ice skate greatly enhanced the ability for freedom and movement on skates, and these designs remain practically unaltered to this day.