Back in the Xtreme days, former Rollerblade employee Chris Morris developed a shoe with a plate in the sole for grinding rails and curbs. This video oNe was a showcase.
I wanted these more than life itself, but they eventually disappeared from shelves and skateboards had to suffice.
So they were shoes with a special plastic plate (particular Dupont formula that was really slippery), so they’d grind on rails.
Though us poor Xtreme pre-teens in Canada would use wooden benches on the playground with just enough ice to do this in sneakers, which was also fun.
Too old when that was happening, but did witness!
I was a year or two too young, but witnessed also!