The actual origins of the Hoverboards were closely guarded secrets from owners of the original props for many years, however, in recent years more information has surfaced regarding this amazing little prop.
I had litterally obsessed over this prop for over a decade. It's what got me started in prop collecting.
There were MANY variations of the Mattel board made. Some from wood, some from hard foam - all custom, no 'found' items.
The original plan was to have the Mattel boards be made using the holographic 'honeycomb' pattern (the "hero" prop), however, the boards were getting roughed up and broken on set so much, that the hero boards were replaced/interchanged with the 'stunt' version, which instead of the honeycomb lenticular and layered graphics, featured a flat printed version of the graphics.
The hero board also featured velcro strips (hook side) which from what I have learned, was to act as a kind of tread to keep the actors' feet from slipping off the board - I personally believe this was added to give depth and detail to the surface of the board.
In the 2015 chase scene, there are at least three or four variations of the Mattel board used - you would'nt know unless you were looking for it by freeze-framing, but they are there! The first time we see the board is the hero....later, when he's hanging on the rope and being pulled by the car, it's the stunt - and the sides of the board have a sliver strip instead of the honeycomb pattern....other shots the velcro strips on the top are wider, sometimes thinner....color variations....etc etc....it really goes on and on!
Only the stunt version was seen in Pt.III. as far as I know.
I've purchased four Hoverboard replicas in the past fifteen years - the first three were dissapointments because they did not suit my belief of what I felt it should look like. Once I learned how many version there really were, I knew I had to 'pick one and go with it' - I was lucky to nab the ICONS master parts off ebay years ago, and just as lucky to come in contact with ebay member bttf123 who makes THE best Hoverboard replicas I have ever seen, and I proudly display his board in my home (using my ICONS parts).
It's a tough prop to get perfect because perfect, in this case, is a point of veiw.
Sorry for the long post here...I have a lot of love for this prop...but I have obsessed over it for FAR too long...it's time to leave it behind and at least share my knowlege of it with others just starting the journey.