Rodney Mullen on Innovation

In August of 2012, the Lemelson Center invited Rodney Mullen, the unquestioned leader and pioneer of street skating, to visit us to discuss the role of invention and innovation in American life. We exchanged ideas and views not only about skateboarding, but about the role and importance of creativity and innovation to building a better society.

[@jasoncoski9606]

Congratulations Mr. Mullen on the Lemelson Honor. The last 6-weeks of watching you here on KZbin have excelled me in self-development and wanted to take the time to thank you personally. Keep the faith, your mission is paying dividends in value. ~~~Jason

[@superjtrdr]

His take of an ollie is the most complete and technically thought out explanation I have ever heard.

[@tb21666]

No one ever deserved recognition more. Brilliance & a genuine, humble human being. I could listen to him theorize all day. Everytime he simply talks about skating I pick up a pointer or 2, his analytical POV helps my frantic ADHD mind analyze things more precisely. Truly the 'Godfather' of Skateboarding.

[@neilpotter5527]

He needs to write a book.... These videos are great and they last forever, but he's got so much to share, and it needs to exist in every media. I don't know if comments on this stuff reach you Rodney, but if its in you, write it all down man. I want my kids if I ever have any to know it like I have come to.

[@beverlyskates]

He wrote a book , "How to skateboard and not kill yourself"

[@TheArabNarrative]

Sean Meade I’m halfway through its so fucking good

[@adampoe2797]

He has

[@MarioCavett]

This is the best way.

[@draz0909]

Hell yeah! He's getting that confidence back. The man was one of the heros of my youth, and there was nothing like watching him win that contest in the fountain in San Francisco's Civic Center. He'd already won, but he went huge for the second run. Rodney Mullen, skateboarding needs you! So stoked to see you in good shape.

[@Namcigam75]

WOW. I clapped at the end. I sk8ed in the 80s and 90s in dc md va. I had many boards taken from me sk8ing in DC near were this interview took place. I am so glad that we as a community have the Most articulate and beautiful mind representing US from the past, present, and for the future. Thank you Mr. Mullen

[@andrewstott6055]

I can't skate but watching and listening to Rodney has had a profound affect on my life, his intense study of reason and consequence in skating is a modern day parable. I would say he is deity as his level of commitment is as close to a spiritual progression as can be. knowing the pain and torture he has gone through to achieve tiny small changes in his physiology, just so he can continue to innovate and further extrapolate the tricks. shows he is the Zen of skateboarding but he is also an ambassador of this uniquely individual and highly creative art. He belongs in the history of America because he begat a revolution in consciousness as well as art in to athleticism and the creative mind. When I see skateboarders I marvel at the intense yet casual mindspace they manage to inherit it's awe-inspiring a complete breakdown of art, athletics, physics and pure style. I salute you Roddney and I salute you skaters of the world who continue to innovate and push all boundaries because that's living life at the forefront of time and space and that is what life is about.

[@skatelife2013]

Thee most influential man in skateboarding. Period.

[@Shikimo]

The thing I love most about him is how humble he is. Even when he's discussing his credited invention of the ollie, he still doesn't feel like he should be given the credit. He's such a great guy, and an incredible skater. A true role model.

[@Airik1111bibles]

I love this guy and wish I could have skated with him just once back in the day.When I watch Rodney and listen to him talk about the mechanics its a language only skaters can understand,feeling the concave under your feet knowing every inch of your board with your feet like a blinde persons fingertips on brail,we talked with are feet we expressed ourselves with are style.We supported each other with every trick over and over tell one of us nailed it.Hitting that first handrail or landing flat on your back off the launch ramp knocking the wind out of your lungs and dancing the dance of pain battle wounds I carry to this very day.I can't skate anymore cause of health reasons but I still fill every move and when watching Rodney I feel every trick he does in my minds eye my body almost wants to jerk like when dreaming yet half awake.I miss skating so much it was in my blood and can you believe that my home state now has the most skateparks.....Oregon the rain state?Well hopefully Oregon can produce some Rodney Mullens & legends like Natas Kaupas and give a boy or girl a chance at making history. Hopefully showing the world that legends can come from any small town if you give them a place and a chance to thrive the will.There's a little Rodney and Tony Hawk in all of us and I'm totally happy that my state gives little guys and gals a chance at becoming pro.How cool is that considering over 20 years ago skaters were hated and laughed at in my little town,we were public enemy#1 blamed for running over senior citizens and destroying public property almost terrorist LOL.

[@mikemiller2970]

Rodney Mullen has been my favorite skater for as long as I can remember and it is truly an inspiration to see him talk about everything he has done and continues to do. I haven't skated in probably 6 or so years but I still love watching anything that he does. He inspires me to continue my dreams in other things besides skating and it is an honor to once be a part of the sport that he has pretty much created today.

[@jordanbuzzard1119]

is just me or does he seem to be on a genius iq lvl?

[@ffr7790]

well tony hawk was IQ tested at 144. i'm sure mullen is also up there.

[@briang8663]

Nah

[@elishahmartinez1452]

@@briang8663 then you dont know mullen. Dude went to a good school and scored very high in college.

[@925cloud]

I watched an interview where he and his dad mention he is on the autistic spectrum

[@maxwellmorris9189]

@@925cloud and?

[@dilloncady35]

Rodney Mullin hands down the most impactful and top innovater, as well as contributer to skateboarding today

[@KidVani69]

Wow this brings tears to my eyes. Hearing him speak so passionately about skateboarding makes me really appreciate my love for skating even more.

[@danielbryan8088]

'my best friends were hoofed.' God bless this dude.

[@lanceuppercutsr.3740]

I love listening to Rodney speak. Not just about skating but his thoughts in general. The man is undoubtedly a genius.. If he wasn't who knows where skating would be. Thank you Rodney for inspiring me for 30 years!

[@GreenMachineOG]

I don't skateboard much, but as a snowboarder this really hit home for me. I have so much more respect for Rodney Mullen now. He is more than a great skateboarder, but an amazing, intelligent person who truley cares about skateboarding and creativity.

[@DoggoWillink]

When you first hear him you think, "ok he might be pulling a Deepak Chopra with his comparisons physics, etc", but then he starts talking about vectors and components, and you realize he actually knows something about physics.

[@Toto77777]

listening to Rodney talk while watching his parts on mute in another tab, makes his parts so much better

[@andreadugato]

from the point of view of an engineer, and lover of the characterization of the systems of any kind, I find it amazing what rodney says and his point of view his approach is basically analytical, but constantly breaks down the elements of his construct, for use in other systems, as he himself says This is the basic principle on which form the construction of new systems in nature, new cell structures, new ways of thinking simple awsome rodney, i feel very close to you when you talk and talk

[@RixOkUSKEnSfM]

This man should be getting all the big bucks, we owe everything to him. Every skateboarder does, yet he's so incredibly humble. And when I listen to him talk and watch him skate I realize how much most skateboarders are sucked into the "mainstream" way of skating.

[@ulysses1685]

7:42 There are footages from 70's when Rodney make ollies as well, even with flips. So I think he is just modest, because it was him who invent ollie.

[@MrID36]

As a juggler, I found this video interesting because innovation in juggling shares a lot of similarities with that of skateboarding. There are families of patterns in juggling which are constantly being explored. Fortunately for juggling, it has a mathematical notation and so these families of patterns/tricks can be more easily identified and grouped. I guess if someone were to create a mathematical notation for skateboarding, the same could perhaps be achieved.

[@jed52]

This is so much deeper than skateboarding. This guy is talking about life in itself. I can now confirm that Rodney Mullen is, in fact a genius.

[@YounglyPerfect]

Had heard of Rodney Mullen but never actually heard him and now that I have, without even seeing any actual skate vids of him can tell his tricks are amusing. He is imaginative.

[@TheeCrazyJean]

hats off to Rodney. what a tremendous honor to be interviewed at the Smithsonian.

[@j0hnnygl4ze]

It's nice to see a video of Rodney that takes enough time to let him explain things the way he sees them for you to realize what a genius he truly is. He tends to come across a bit weird in short soundbites. I've been lucky enough to meet him and skate with him. And every true skater owes him a debt of gratitude for the innovation he's brought to the sport. My hat is off to you friend. Cheers.

[@icantollie]

Rodney Mullen skateboarding on the roof of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History with the Washington Monument as a backdrop is like the most American thing ever

[@Hannylicious]

Rodney is once again giving to society for the very fact that anyone who watches this can gain something from it. Younger people should realize that creativity is a combination of education and natural talent and it's okay to value education and try hard. Older people benefit from this video by realizing even sports which tend to have a bad stigma (ie. punks/burnouts) can produce innovative, intelligent, creative thinkers and encourage their children more. Thank you for everything Rodney!

[@TKae421]

I grew up watching the Bones Brigade and he was always my favorite. He was way ahead of everyone else, that they didn't understand it because of vert ramps, pools and half-pipes. His chessboard desk is a work of art too.

[@OwOKrieger]

Forefather of skateboarding. I skate when I can, I have skated for about 6 years and am at a great point in my "trick alphabet" expansion, as Rodney coined. I love skateboarding and appreciate its possiblities. I feel that it converts negative feelings into an ingenuitive energy. Shred on my fellow soldiers of the gnarr, yee street gorillas, thy griptape pirates, HARDFLIP WILSHIRE 10 in the rain. Skategasm. Thank you Rodney, I truly appreciate your definition of skateboarding.

[@TheRonin248]

Every street skater alive owes so much to this man. Truly a great human as well.

[@BradRau]

i learned a lot about skateboard, but also as a musician a learned a lot about music from this video.

[@DarkminiStoned]

Rodney create the real freestyle skateboard. his a god damn legend and its great to see him skate. Been a while since we didnt get news from him on skateboard video.

[@MrBudzilla420]

i found this very very enjoyable. thank you to whoever posted this.

[@f0kxi]

When I was a kid playing tony hawk games, I had no idea I was gonna resonate with the skaters on soul levels

[@Keverninz]

I couldn't have said it better myself ! I was about to comment something just as similar but it seems you've already beaten me to it. He also a very poetic way of describing his thoughts and feelings. Very humble indeed.

[@playgamesiscooll1]

who wants him to live young 4ever :'( ?

[@carrette31]

Rodney has a beautiful mind

[@brittanyisaketten]

RODNEY MULLEN YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION ! , my reason I am so brave and willing to take risks and willing to push the boundaries farther then ever ! , my first vid I saw of you was in tony hawk 2 , the clip at the end with A F I -boy who destroyed the world , your every type of word that associates with creative and inspiring that there are , I hope one day to skate with you and be humbled by your potent remarkable energy , thank you so much for staying skating and thank you for inspiring me ! :)

[@staphinfection]

I bet when Rodney is 90 years old, he will still shred harder than I ever could. Thank you Stacy Peralta for giving Mullen the boards and kept him going to become the god that is and always will be.

[@wing847]

smartest skateboarder of all time. havent seen a video part in a long time from rodney

[@arma182]

I love when a multimillionaire (in this case Rodney) dress and look like an average person, he is such a modest person.

[@SimonB.]

i dont think he's that rich but i know what you mean

[@SalDOWN]

Simon B. > Rodney Mullen net worth: $30 Million

[@jackmehoff8459]

Well it look silly dressed like a super model

[@alexsmith516]

@@SimonB. His family were millionaires when he was growing up - Then he made his fortune from sponsorships and selling World Industries in 2003. So, hard work and inheritance and most likely investments - he's definitely up there with Tony Hawk in terms of net worth.

[@indieHindleyMusic]

such a sweet, talented, humble & intelligent man. The world needs more Mullens.

[@TheJkorz]

The spirituality he exudes when speaking about the physics of skateboarding leaves one in complete awe of his mind. "Innovation is complicating a subject until it becomes mite simplistic".... The mutt is good....

[@jorges6104]

I would be blessed to know this guy. eccentric, smart and humble.

[@seanp2k]

Rodney really gets it, and his thoughts and ideas here apply to many things beyond skateboarding. It brings me great joy to feel the shared context of passion.

[@Coltbiggs]

I am simply blown away, how he talks about skating..

[@macbookevo]

So humble and well spoken. Awesome skateboarder. Awesome person.

[@BadBoyClub]

The epitome of his understated humility "half an hour / an hour you have an ollie". "You" has such gravitas that he doesn't undrerstand. Literally a living legend

[@kidbenny5674]

I wish i had the brain of this man, so i could think like he does. To be able to be so passionate about something to never quit and always progress. I have to say im jealous.

[@grungeman06]

gotta give the guy props for inventing something which a lot of sports are trying to emulate and also spawned. rodney you are the man! by inventing a new way of expression of ones self. i am too able to express myself in what i do in life along with everyone who does this so called "extreme sports"

[@kylecrayton7493]

Who ever says rodney isnt the best take a good look at wat all the pros do and everyone else does rodney invented tht trick and hes the reason y we can do these tricks without rodney we wouldnt know wat tricks to even do thank you rodney for the inspiration and motivation to skateboard u r a legend

[@calvints3]

one of the few skaters that can eloquently describe skating and the intricate physics involved. a lot of pros understand it in their feet, but can you imagine herman or stevie or carroll try to explain it?

[@theodorou123]

If only lectures were expressed with his level of intuition and clarity. skate-ology!

[@00010075]

damn what an inspiration. rodney is the what sparked my initial interest in skateboarding. he's the one that made me go out and skate. so sick that he's recognized like this!!

[@mikemarrz3496]

Why are people saying he should be skating instead of speaking. Rodney Mullen is one of the very few intelligent skaters who are so good they can explain it very easily. This will be the only time we can listen to an eloquent explanation of skateboarding and how he invented everything we all love to do today. This is your last chance, you see these kids nowadays. They're sick but they're not as intelligent as this man. I wish I had his gift of gab, when I try to explain things.

[@kylelamora2563]

he said what he created wasn't a big deal. that is the definition of humbleness

[@DramaticTamandua]

Always an intersting person to listen to speak. His TEDx talk (also here on KZbin) is an excellent talk too.

[@ChiefXAli]

he's TOTALLY rockin' a gold TOOF!! dang..he's so OG

[@gammon186]

I could listen to Rodney talk for hours, the guy is a legend!

[@chalupacabra1727]

I wish I could give more than one thumb up.

[@sismilin]

Wow. That was a lot to take in. Rodney your a true genius it's always people who look from a different angel who innovate.

[@nephteray303]

Actually I think he made some quite profound comments about the nature of creativity and innovation. Talking about how innovation is something that is both deliberate and spontaneous in nature... and about how breaking things into component parts and then tweaking one piece can be the most efficient way to learn.

[@childrenoftheabzu]

Genius and revolutionary innovations and ideas are always something that is so simple. The ollie is a perfect example of this

[@BonesofGoldSkateboarding]

I get stoked to sk8 just by earing the man

[@Steve_643]

Rodney invented the flat ground ollie and he says it’s no big deal. One of the most humble guys ever

[@messysnacks]

I would consider him a living national treasure, considering skateboarding's effect on U.S. culture and his role behind it.

[@noemorales84624]

This is the godfather of Street skating. Invented every trick done today but yet he is forgotten cuz kids these days no nothing about Rodney Mullen even in my generation I'm 36 and when you ask skaters their top ten or top five Rodney Mullen usually not in them .very few recognize him still

[@HTSVMAG]

i think, this is the same feeling listening to a living legend+genius like those people back in the Einstein years.

[@JustSomeSillyStuff]

He's soo modest, he invented most of what street skating is today and to him is not a big deal :o

[@mattpfeifer9302]

Rodney was always someone I idolized as a kid constantly rewinding and rewatching his parts in skate tapes. Now years into adulthood and long past dreams of being pro I idolize him even more. retrospectively, I should've had more friends with hooves and built more potato clocks as a kid

[@randomdiy3823]

If everyone is as humble as him then it would be a better world to live.

[@AntonioViviano]

Rodney is so educated and intelligent, so inspiring to listen to.

[@DanielThomasArgueta]

He's an awesome guy.

[@austinross123191]

You probably don't know much about skateboarding and aren't aware with the amount of effort it takes. This video explains skateboarding's core principles by the person who did the most for it. His way of communicating his story is relatable to every skater and any true skater would appreciate it. Individuality, respect and inventiveness are attributes that most skateboarders have. I hope that you may find a different opinion someday and learn the underlying messages here.

[@chafa420]

he has a TED talk as well, if you haven't watched it you guys should check it out.

[@speedyzolt]

Good on you mate. I really respect his spirit. You deserve it and thanks to the Smithsonian for recognizing a true innovator! Cheers.

[@seamorebuns2305]

Frankie Hill is the most underrated skateboarder who devoted the most to extreme skateboarding but it was Rodney Mullen who gave him his arsenal of tricks.

[@BillyHanning]

I'm so glad to see him still skating!

[@pcgarbage]

my best friends were hooved...amazing.

[@MrEyebrowz]

His voice is so calming...

[@valenghi1]

In my mind Mullen is some sort of mad scientist experimenting with his body's movements rather than chemicals and compounds. He looks at the world in such a mechanical and structural playground. So cool.

[@marco77ar]

Mullen, Gonz, Natas, Mike v., Tommy G......dont forget Dressen.......Awesome.... And each contributed.......

[@Rhuarc]

Nice to see Security not trying to stop him from skating.........and actually enjoying his masterful skill

[@jonnydiggs1760]

I'm on a Mullen deep dive. Dude is so cool.

[@XpoopinyofaceXz]

I watched the bones brigade movie the other day on netflix. I dont know why but i just like the way he talks.lol

[@zombieman395]

and the most influential guy to ever walk the earth

[@adrozemog]

Right after watching this I decided to go in my garage and try some new mess-around tricks I had just thought of. It started with nollie bs shove reverts... one thing led to another and I learned fakie laser flips OUT OF NOWHERE, without ever having landed a varial heel in my life. This man speaks the truth.

[@SkateboardCalifornia]

"Linear" learning and "dynamic" learning are terms which describe the way different people naturally process information. It's a label describing how our brains are wired to function. You can Google "dynamic learning" and find out more.

[@SuperMudbog]

Tony Hawk is 44 years old. He was born May 12th, 1968.

[@corey788237]

man, this guy is so humble. amazing

[@SimonB.]

he's the coolest guy on earth.

[@jthe1andonly]

watch the bones brigade documentary. he has some really good interviews on there

[@jasonmccaskill1138]

thank u sir.

[@GregDiVilbiss]

He is amazing to listen to and watch.

[@travjo]

Skateboardings Einstein :p I was impressed with this even more so then when watching his early video parts I remember how excited and hyped up I was to go skate after watching him in round 1 and 2 of Rodney Mullen vs dawon song if you haven't seen those clips yet I recommend um highly

[@ScreamWorldSkate]

He Always will be the best ! .. And the master.

[@siwilliams83]

A joy to listen to.

[@dishwater63]

Mullen was here? In DC? And I wasn't notified?! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH I live a rock's throw away from DC! I want to meet him someday and I know I never will.