Wheeleeboard – It Does Exist!
After decades of only ever seeing this in an advert, in 2017 I managed to score a block print (actual block) of the Wheelee Board logo from Ebay and sat on it for a long time. I think I was going to try and print something with MC but like most of my grand ideas, never got around to it. I’m not sure about the authenticity of this, becasue it wouldn’t have been used in magazine printing of the era, but who knows, maybe for stationary or handbills… That is if these things actually existed, because I’ve never known anyone who has claimed to see one. Flash forward to couple of weeks ago and someone posts images of an actual Wheelee Board!
Here’s the back pricing piece. The photo has been reversed because in real life, it’s backwards because of the printing process.
Here’s some images from Jacquelyn Hoad, reposted with permission. I tried to get more photos and information but they had acquired it through an acquaintance and were pretty much only interned in selling it.
The construction of the Wheelee Board is a lot different than what I had expected. From the print ads I always assumed it was made of plastic, but this looks more like a very cheap laminated deck. Of course it’s possible that the production methodd changed from the original concept as was the case with SkateWing and Techno-Ski that started off with high quality builds but both ended up with cheaper (plastic) versions at the end. This version of toy-store pressboard looks like it might have cost less than a similar sized plastic board. What is the actual construction method though? It can’t be too flimsy or it would collapse the second you stood on the back of it. Perhaps it’s fiberglass construction after all.
I wish I could see this in person. It’s not clear whats going on there on the top.
Patent pending eh… I wondered if it was ever granted, so I went to look it up. After about 15 minutes of trying I was about ready to give up. There’s a lot of skateboard patents out there you know? Before I give up le the tray long shot…. and holy cow here it is. Not a lot of verbiage… no mention of functionality, just “The ornamental design for a skateboard, substantially as shown and described.” It definitely looks like it’s injection-molded plastic. Filed Nov. 19, 1976, granted Dec. 5, 1978.
Here’s the advert again. This one looks a little more finished.
