WATER-SKIING

The twenties of the last century were for America the time of the dominance of technology. It was a time of motors and speeds. For less and less time, transoceanic liners crossed the Atlantic, pilots took a height record one after another, racers squeezed the maximum possible out of their Bugatti and Dewey. “Air attractions” toured all states, in which pilots performed aerobatics.

Ralph Samuelson, an ordinary guy from Minnesota, also wanted to become “one of those who make America great.” June 28, 1922, he made his first attempt to conquer the expanse of water on skis towed by a boat. Ralph stayed on the water for only a couple of seconds. But by trial and error, Samuelson achieved stability and already on July 2 a motor boat, driven by his brother, cut through the waters of Lake Pepin. Ralph Samuelson, holding on to a rope tied to the stern, rushed thirty meters behind. Continue reading →