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Heelys Inventor Roger Adams Dies at 71

4/17/2026

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Story summary
  • Roger Adams, inventor of Heelys, died at 71 from pancreatic cancer in Glenbrook, Nevada, on March 24.
  • Adams studied psychology and found inspiration for rolling sneakers during a 1998 vacation in Huntington Beach, California.
  • Frustrated with his job and life, he envisioned a shoe that could roll by shifting weight.
  • After testing in a friend's garage, he produced a prototype and launched Heelys, a brand with embedded wheels.