What is the term of the machine that goes over the ice on hockey rinks? What does it do?

The techincal term for the machine is an Ice resurfacer. Colloquially, it's known as a Zamboni machine named after it's creator, Frank Zamboni.

It was invented in 1947 in Paramount, California.

Ice skating works by the blades of the ice skates cutting and melting the ice as they glide along the ice. Sudden stops also help shave off the ice.

Ice surface scratched up

When the surface is scratched up, it makes the skates unpredictable and increases the risks of injury.

Prior to the machine's invention, teams of people had to go out onto the ice during breaks and scrape the surface, squeegee the shavings, and finally wash the surface.

Frank Zamboni came up with a machine that did it all at once.

Bart Loews

Written Jan 8