These Vintage Photos Prove That Roller Derby Has Always Been Cool

Derby on CBS

Roller Derby debuted on New York television starting on November 29, 1948, when it began a 13-week run on CBS-TV. This was long before TVs were popular but ultimately saved Derby from extinction. Broadcasts could be seen in bars and storefront windows, and the medium made it seem as though the underwhelming crowds were actually packing venues from wall to wall.

Advertisement

Next Page →

The More You Know

  • Nintendo was founded in 1889. Before it sold video games, the Japanese company specialized in playing cards.
  • Bill Gates plans to donate 95% of his $81.1 billion dollar wealth to charity. That's about $77 billion dollars!
  • The first TV commercial didn't air until the 1940s.
  • Agatha Christie said she came up with many of her book plots while sitting in her bathtub while eating apples.
Next Page →