Who needs a break? Let's head for the hills—to the ski slopes!
In the old days, skis were crafted from a single piece of wood. This made them rather heavy, stiff, and prone to cracking under extreme use. Jørgen Aaland (1895-1973), a Norwegian who had spent several years living in the U.S. Northwest, knew that a laminated ski would be lighter, stronger, more flexible and more responsive. Once a strong-enough glue had been created, Aaland worked many late nights to develop a plied ski—made from multiple layers of glued-together wood. In 1932 he applied for a Norwegian patent. He christened his new product Splitkein (literally, "split cane").
While Jørgen Aaland had a great idea, he didn't have the financial wherewithal to finance large scale production. He approached furniture makers in the United States who partnered with him—securing the U.S. patent and beginning production. Aaland's designs revolutionized skiing. And the new structure allowed the skis to hold a higher "camber"—that is, the arch in the middle of the ski (between the front and back of the ski). Camber provides more spring in the ski, allowing the skier greater dynamism and performance.
The heyday of laminated skis was short-lived; by the 1970's, fiberglass skis were the latest development and wooden skis were relegated to the past.
The Splitkein skis, shown above, are a miniature pair—intended as samples for a traveling salesman. They are a handsome, scaled-down version of the full-sized skis he was selling. Click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome (and quaint) remembrances of sporting's past.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.