‘A truly unique object’: Design Museum to chart history of skateboards

Exhibition opening in the autumn will celebrate sport's journey from fringes to Olympics

From its origins in the California hills to its ubiquity on urban streets around the globe, the history of skateboarding spans seven decades over which it has evolved from fringe sport to Olympics event.

Where once surfers nailed roller skates to makeshift wooden boards to practise their moves on concrete when there were no waves, the ongoing commercialisation of the sport has led to a booming industry.