When skateboarding first surfaced in the 1960s, sidewalk surfers tried a few different approaches to staying on their boards. Jerry Madrid, owner of Madrid Flypaper, explains: “We skated barefoot back then. We used to drip wax on our skateboards, which didn’t really work that well-we’d try to wax everything.” Another short-lived idea was to use Slip Check, a spray-adhesive that surfers used back in the 60s.
Not surprisingly, skaters soon began creating their own traction. Many would pour resin onto their boards, then sprinkle sand to set up inside the resin, creating griptape in its earliest incarnation. Although better than waxes or spray-on adhesives, this sandy resin just didn’t offer enough grip.
Another problem manufacturers have had to deal with in the past is getting the griptape to stick to the board consistently. In the early 90s, the state of California outlawed the use of 
solvent-based thinners and lacquers. Manufacturers scrambled to come up with a non-solvent-based, waterproof barrier.The early sheets had a paper backing, and if water seeped through, the paper would rot. Something was needed to act as a barrier, to prevent the moisture from going through. The first barriers were made of foil, but with the introduction of plastics into the market, griptape manufacturers found a barrier that was waterproof, cheaper, and more flexible.
In addition to all of the technical changes, griptape has also seen its share of cosmetic innovations. One innovation is the use of color. In the 80s, boards were commonly adorned with bright sheets of neon pink, green, and orange. Although the fad died out for a few years, colored griptapes are surfacing again today in a big way.
Graphic griptape came about in the mid 90s. Although not an entirely new concept, graphic griptape gave the skateboarders a chance to spruce up the top of their boards with various graphics or company logos. Many skaters, though, either found the colors too distracting or preferred to paint their own, adding a personal touch.
After trials and tribulations, skaters and manufacturers alike seem to have found a griptape they are happy with. And thanks to better adhesives, better plastics, and a finer grit, the functional aspects of griptape has stayed virtually the same for the past ten years.
