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Roller Shoe Inventor Dies at 71
17 Apr
Summary
- Roger Adams invented sneakers with retractable wheels, creating Heelys.
- The company achieved massive success, selling millions of pairs.
- Concerns were raised by safety advocates regarding potential injuries.
Roger Adams, the creative mind behind the innovative Heelys roller shoes, died on March 24 at the age of 71. He transformed ordinary sneakers into rolling footwear by embedding retractable wheels, a concept that revolutionized how children and adults moved.
Adams, whose father owned roller rinks, found inspiration for Heelys during a personal crisis in 1998. He developed a prototype in a garage, leading to the founding of Heelys in late 2000. The company experienced phenomenal growth, selling nearly 700,000 pairs in 2004 and peaking at 7.6 million pairs by 2008.
Despite their popularity, Heelys faced scrutiny from safety advocates and medical professionals, who highlighted risks of injuries. However, the company defended its product, citing studies on comparative safety. Adams held several patents for his invention.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Adams had a background in psychology before pursuing his entrepreneurial dream. Heelys went public in 2006, briefly reaching a market value of $1 billion. After leaving the company in 2009, he continued to patent other wearable roller devices. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.
