Skate, Roller
Object number2009.2.4 a,b
Date2006
Mediumleather; cotton; ink; plastic; various metals
Credit LineGift of Pam Simmons
DescriptionPair of black leather roller skates.Dimensions8 x 5.125 x 11 in. (20.3 x 13 x 27.9 cm)Marks"Riedell" outline-cut into the leather with red background.
Plastic oval on outside ankle: superimposed over printed gray "Riedell" is "R3" in red.
Red, white and blue logo for Riedell stamped into tongue; fabric label on inside/back of tongue "R3/CAYMAN / SIZE: 8 / PO# 20738 / MANMADE MATERIALS / MADE IN CHINA".
On base: Riedell logo embossed; embossed on wheel bar "7".
Historical NotesRoller skates worn by Busty Brawler, a.k.a. Natalie Gilchrist, of the Steel City Derby Demons. Gilchrist was instrumental in organizing the resurgence of the entertaining roller derby sport in Pittsburgh. The Steel City Derby Demons are Pittsburgh's only women's flat track roller derby league. The Demons league is comprised of four teams: "The Bitch Doctors," "The Hot Metal Hellions," "The Slumber Party Slashers," and "The Wrecking Dolls." They also have two traveling teams comprised of members of the four league teams: "The Steel Hurtin' " is the A-Team/Varsity team, and the "B-Unit" is the B-team/Junior Varsity team. The Demons compete, or "bout" with each other and other leagues; there are nearly 80 women's flat track derby teams in the continental U.S. to date.
Previous owner
Natalie Gilchrist
Related institution
Steel City Derby Demons
On View
On viewCollections
Alfred Johnson Skate Company
1970-1979
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Riedell Shoes, Inc.