Skateboard

Description:

Dr. Anil Narayan Netravali, professor of Fiber Science and Apparel Design in Cornell's College of Human Ecology, worked with Comet Skateboards to develop skateboards made of biodegradable composites of plant fiber and a resin derived from soy protein. Instead of slick opaque finishes in bright colors, this skateboard has a transparent topcoat that shows the wood core below -- either sustainably harvested maple, poplar or bamboo. They were very successful in developing the skateboards; however, the cost of sustainable alternatives like Dr. Netravali’s green composite were higher, and Comet could not compete with the cheaper, synthetic, imported varieties. This skateboard was one of the few produced.

Date:

2006-8.