Water Skis

July 13, 2009

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Profile America — Monday, July 13th. Residents of Lake City, Minnesota, saw some unusual activity on Lake Pepin this month in 1922. An 18-year-old neighbor, Ralph Samuelson, was demonstrating his newly invented water skis. After some failed experiments, Samuelson steamed the ends of pine boards to make them curl up, and was successfully towed by a powerboat at the end of a long rope. His exploits created great interest and soon, a new sport was born. Samuelson developed his skis for the fun of it and never patented his invention. It was only later in his life that his achievement was officially recognized. Today, more than 6 million people in the U.S. actively enjoy water skiing each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: inventors.about.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1209
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html