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Roller Skating Car Hops

Carhops were used in the United States for decades, adding a playful appeal to eating out. The first carhops appeared in the early 1920s. American Graffiti and Happy Days both depicted roller-skating car hops. Sonic® is the best-known fast food restaurant for having skating carhops, although not all Sonic locations have their carhops on skates.

Unique to Nebraska, which opened in 1991, Rock 'n' Roll Runza® made a splash as the corporation's largest restaurant. The 1950s theme was reflected inside and out with a jukebox-shaped drive through window and a neon guitar sign on P Street in Lincoln. Wait staff rolled around on quad roller skates, taking diners back in time. Rock 'n' Roll Runza® closed in 2006.

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National Museum of Roller Skating Audio Tour - Museum Proper
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  1. The First Roller Skates
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  2. Patented Roller Skates
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  3. The Father of the Modern Roller Skating
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  4. Rinking
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  5. The "Newest" Craze
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  6. The Disco Era
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  7. Pop Culture! Skating in Lines: Roller Skating and Comics
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  8. Pop Culture! Orchestras, Organs, & Disco: Music in the Rink
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  9. Pop Culture! Movies: Roller Skating Across the Silver Screen
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  10. Competition: The History of Hockey on Wheels
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  11. Competition - Speed Skating
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  12. Competition - Dance Skating
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  13. Competition - Figure Skating
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  14. Competition - Derby
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  15. C. W. Lowe's Tent Rink
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  16. When Skating Goes to War
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  17. Skating for Others
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  18. Roller Skating Car Hops
  19. Jam Skating
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  20. Extravaganza on Wheels: The Skating Vanities
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  21. Vaudeville
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