In late 1999, 50/50 along with Salomon, Razors, USD and other companies started discussing the idea for UFS. We were all tasked to come up with a mounting standard by ourselves, then we were to meet and share our designs. Our design was based off th

In late 1999, 50/50 along with Salomon, Razors, USD and other companies started discussing the idea for UFS. We were all tasked to come up with a mounting standard by ourselves, then we were to meet and share our designs. Our design was based off the existing 50/50 frames but with two protruding mounts to allow for easier mounting to the boots.

The first drawings for the 50/50 UFS frames were submitted to our manufacturer in November of 2000.

The first drawings for the 50/50 UFS frames were submitted to our manufacturer in November of 2000.

While waiting for the first UFS prototypes, we created a 3D rendered frame ad with the drawings in January 2001. This ad was never released, nor was the racing stripe or debossed logo.

While waiting for the first UFS prototypes, we created a 3D rendered frame ad with the drawings in January 2001. This ad was never released, nor was the racing stripe or debossed logo.

This Dominic Sagona 50/50 ad was the first public image of what the UFS frame was going to look like. Even though it was just a drawing, we wanted to show that we were 100% behind the UFS project.

This Dominic Sagona 50/50 ad was the first public image of what the UFS frame was going to look like. Even though it was just a drawing, we wanted to show that we were 100% behind the UFS project.

The first machined samples of the 50/50 UFS frames were delivered in late February 2001. These were machined out of a solid block of nylon, not designed for skating but for size and style.

The first machined samples of the 50/50 UFS frames were delivered in late February 2001. These were machined out of a solid block of nylon, not designed for skating but for size and style.

The first machined samples of the 50/50 UFS frames were delivered in late February 2001. These were machined out of a solid block of nylon, not designed for skating but for size and style.

The first machined samples of the 50/50 UFS frames were delivered in late February 2001. These were machined out of a solid block of nylon, not designed for skating but for size and style.

The UFS frames used the same 6mm hardware as the original molded 50/50 frames used. They looked so clean!

The UFS frames used the same 6mm hardware as the original molded 50/50 frames used. They looked so clean!

This is a prototype Salomon skate they gave us for testing the UFS frames. This was the first time we'd ever seen a complete UFS skate.

This is a prototype Salomon skate they gave us for testing the UFS frames. This was the first time we'd ever seen a complete UFS skate.

The small UFS 50/50 frame was actually the same 250mm 1->4 length as the medium. The only difference was cosmetic, which we achieved by a mold insert.

The small UFS 50/50 frame was actually the same 250mm 1->4 length as the medium. The only difference was cosmetic, which we achieved by a mold insert.

While we were making tweaks to the frames and working on the mold, this Robert Guerrero sequence ad hit right around his VG17 profile in Summer 2001.

While we were making tweaks to the frames and working on the mold, this Robert Guerrero sequence ad hit right around his VG17 profile in Summer 2001.

The first molded frame samples came in April of 2001, which is when we shot this Jon Julio ad. The frames he was holding were the first samples and were solid black, we added the patch in Photoshop.

The first molded frame samples came in April of 2001, which is when we shot this Jon Julio ad. The frames he was holding were the first samples and were solid black, we added the patch in Photoshop.

Fabiola Dasilva had one of the first pro model 50/50 UFS frames, shown in this ad from June 2001.

Fabiola Dasilva had one of the first pro model 50/50 UFS frames, shown in this ad from June 2001.

This 50/50 UFS frame ad hit in Fall of 2001. It detailed the features of the 50/50 UFS frames and showed the three initial release models; Jon Julio, Fabiola Da Silva and the red team frame.

This 50/50 UFS frame ad hit in Fall of 2001. It detailed the features of the 50/50 UFS frames and showed the three initial release models; Jon Julio, Fabiola Da Silva and the red team frame.

After the initial round of three frames shipped, we started working on the next release. Joshua Petty got the first of the new ads featuring his pro model.

After the initial round of three frames shipped, we started working on the next release. Joshua Petty got the first of the new ads featuring his pro model.

The 50/50 Pro Model for Louie Zamora was one of our favorite sequence shots ever. An incredible switchup, shot up close by Jess, the fisheye made this curved ledge look wavy.

The 50/50 Pro Model for Louie Zamora was one of our favorite sequence shots ever. An incredible switchup, shot up close by Jess, the fisheye made this curved ledge look wavy.

Rachard was one of the few skaters to have two Pro Model frame ads, this one showing in Europe.

Rachard was one of the few skaters to have two Pro Model frame ads, this one showing in Europe.

Rachard Johnson had the next Pro Model 50/50 UFS frame, shown in this Daily Bread ad in February 2002. With his huge hops, Rachard could get up on ledges most people would only dream of.

Rachard Johnson had the next Pro Model 50/50 UFS frame, shown in this Daily Bread ad in February 2002. With his huge hops, Rachard could get up on ledges most people would only dream of.

Rachard Johnson's Pro Model 50/50 UFS frame packaging.

Rachard Johnson's Pro Model 50/50 UFS frame packaging.

Dominic Sagona didn't get an ad for his UFS frame, since he was in the original UFS frame ad a year earlier. This was the photo we used for the frame packaging.

Dominic Sagona didn't get an ad for his UFS frame, since he was in the original UFS frame ad a year earlier. This was the photo we used for the frame packaging.

This Jon Julio ad hit around Summer of 2012 with his series 2 50/50 UFS Pro Model frame, now in grey and black.

This Jon Julio ad hit around Summer of 2012 with his series 2 50/50 UFS Pro Model frame, now in grey and black.

Jon Julio's series 2 50/50 UFS frame in packaging.

Jon Julio's series 2 50/50 UFS frame in packaging.

Towards the beginning of 2002 we got some 50/50 UFS frames made in a clear material. These weren't designed for skating but we could see what the structure of the frames was like. Of course we skated them anyway.

Towards the beginning of 2002 we got some 50/50 UFS frames made in a clear material. These weren't designed for skating but we could see what the structure of the frames was like. Of course we skated them anyway.

Towards the beginning of 2002 we got some 50/50 UFS frames made in a clear material. These weren't designed for skating but we could see what the structure of the frames was like. Of course we skated them anyway.

Towards the beginning of 2002 we got some 50/50 UFS frames made in a clear material. These weren't designed for skating but we could see what the structure of the frames was like. Of course we skated them anyway.

The clear 50/50 UFS frames looked incredible on a pair of the new Rollerblade Access skates.

The clear 50/50 UFS frames looked incredible on a pair of the new Rollerblade Access skates.