Ski History Fact #1

This graphic showing the evolution of skis comes from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/12/first-skiers/ski-history-interactive.  The dates did not copy, but they range from 8000 BC in China to the modern time.  If you go to the site, you can click on the dates at the top for more information.  The third one from the left has this blurb:  "3200 BC Kalvträsk, Sweden  A long pole with a scoop carved into one end likely served several purposes: steering downhill, shoveling, and as a club for hunting."  Hitting things with poles goes way back!  The tallest one (third from right)  is from the US and it says:  "c1860s Sierra Nevada, United States  Initially American miners used 10-foot skis to travel in the mountains, and over time they began using longer skis to race each other."  Talk about your long straight skis!