학술논문
Drought as a trigger of the rapid rise of professional skateboarding in 1970s Southern California
Brief Report
Brief Report
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
PNAS Nexus. December 2023, Vol. 2 Issue 12
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2752-6542
Abstract
Introduction Identifying societal and environmental factors that have influenced human history requires rational interpretation of diverse strands of reliable evidence. Cross-disciplinary studies drawing on combinations of instrumental and proxy-based climate [...]
In 1977 California, authorities responded to an extreme drought with an unprecedented state order to drastically reduce domestic water usage and leave countless newly built swimming pools empty. These curved pools became 'playgrounds' for inspired surfers to develop professional vertical skateboarding in the Los Angeles area. Industrial production of polyurethane, and the advent of digital photography, laser printing, and high gloss mass media further contributed to the explosive popularization of skateboarding, creating a global subculture and multibillion-dollar industry that still impacts music, fashion, and lifestyle worldwide. Our interdisciplinary investigation demonstrates that neither the timing nor the location of the origin of professional skateboarding was random. This modern case study highlights how environmental changes can affect human behavior, transform culture, and engender technical innovation in the Anthropocene. Keywords: climate change, cultural history, drought extremes, environmental change, historical climatology, human behavior, interdisciplinary research
In 1977 California, authorities responded to an extreme drought with an unprecedented state order to drastically reduce domestic water usage and leave countless newly built swimming pools empty. These curved pools became 'playgrounds' for inspired surfers to develop professional vertical skateboarding in the Los Angeles area. Industrial production of polyurethane, and the advent of digital photography, laser printing, and high gloss mass media further contributed to the explosive popularization of skateboarding, creating a global subculture and multibillion-dollar industry that still impacts music, fashion, and lifestyle worldwide. Our interdisciplinary investigation demonstrates that neither the timing nor the location of the origin of professional skateboarding was random. This modern case study highlights how environmental changes can affect human behavior, transform culture, and engender technical innovation in the Anthropocene. Keywords: climate change, cultural history, drought extremes, environmental change, historical climatology, human behavior, interdisciplinary research