Images(3)

Skate, Roller

Object number2009.2.4 a,b

Manufacturer Riedell Shoes, Inc.

Date2006

OriginChina

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.Label TextFounded in Pittsburgh in 2006 as the Steel City Derby Demons, the league became part of a national reintroduction of roller derby, a sport started in 1935. Popular on television in the 1970s, the sport all but disappeared until 2004, when the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association formed. Locally, Pamela Simmons, Natalie Gilchrest, and Becky Bauer (also known as Suzy Sydal, Busty Brawler, and Elsa Slam) championed a league. That league originally included four home teams and two travel teams. Currently, the Steel City Charter has 30 players who compete against other ranked roller derby teams, including Pittsburgh’s A- Team, Steel Hurtin’, and B-Team, Steel Beamers. The League also supports a developmental C-Team, the Blitzburgh Bombers.

Previous owner Natalie Gilchrist

Related institution Steel City Derby Demons

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