Jean Garcin (XVIII century - 1841)

Jean Garcin

Jean Garcin is one of the French pioneers of roller skating.

Garcin was a member of the elite Parisian skating fraternity Gilets Rouge. An experienced figure skater, in 1813 he wrote the first French work devoted to skating, "The True Skater or the Principles of the Art of Fine Skating". In it, Garcin contrasts the elegance of French skating with the stiffness of skating in England and gives practical advice to figure skaters and speed skaters.

The sport becomes very popular in the 19th century, but the lack of ice and the lack of summer skating practice necessitated the creation of roller skates, and Garcin became one of the most famous French inventors of roller skates, he even opened his own school.