The first United States speed skating club was established in Philadelphia in 1849, with skaters using the Schuylkill River. In 1850, Philadelphia’s own E.W. Bushnell made a huge breakthrough — the ...

There is a spring-loaded hinge under the ball of the foot to snap (or “clap”) the blade back into its original position. Clap skates are permitted in long track speed skating but not short track for ...