The funfair is an iconic sight in many places across the United Kingdom, and if you are planning to hold your very own funfair – be it for your office or business, your family and friends, for a special event, and so on – then you should know that the rides and attractions you choose will make a big difference indeed. We can all agree that there are certain attractions which have always been popular and have stood the test of time, and these attractions and rides should definitely be included in your list. We’re talking about the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, the carousel, and others. But what makes these rides so special, anyway? It pays to know more about their history so you can choose your rides properly as well. Here’s your guide to the history of your favourite funfair rides: the roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, and more.
Find out more about the history of funfair rides!
The Ferris wheel
The Ferris wheel was first introduced at the World Exposition in 1893 in Chicago, as stated by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. But one year earlier than this, another person, William Somers, actually designed and operated three wheels made from wood, each with measurements of 50 feet or 1524 centimetres in diameter, in both New Jersey and New York. Whichever history you would like to acknowledge, the wheel is an iconic ride in many fairgrounds and funfairs the world over, and it still gives a lot of pleasure to its riders today.
Find out more about the history of the Ferris Wheel!
The carousel
The carousel with wooden horses was first used for a different purpose altogether – it was actually used to provide lessons in horseback riding to Arabian and Turkish members of the cavalry. But when the opposing forces went back to Europe, they decided to bring back the carousel with them. The delightful attraction then became a hit in France, and this is where riders in the 17th century tried to pierce their targets whilst they were moving or spinning at high speeds. And the source of power at the time? Well, real horses, of course!
Find out more about the history of the Carousel!
The bumper car
The electricity used by bumper cars or dodgem cars may seem quite advanced, but they’ve been a classic sight and have always been a popular choice as funfair rides for hire in fairgrounds, amusement parks, and carnivals for a century. No one can confirm who invented this road rage favourite, but everyone will agree that it's a completely fun ride that's perfectly safe for the entire family, although the earlier versions of the bumper car were a challenge to steer.
Find out more about the history of the Dodgems!
The roller coaster
The roller coaster has an interesting history as well. The very first patent for the roller coaster was awarded to a man named LaMarcus Thompson way back in 1885, although he really wasn't the first individual to make one. The roller coaster as we know it today came from the so-called 'Russian Mountains', which were sledge rides used in winter that were highly popular in St. Petersburg in the 17th century. In the United States, though, there was a mining firm from Pennsylvania who constructed a railroad that defied gravity in 1827 in order to move loads of coal – and on slow days, the workers charged people who wanted to use the railroad for a thrill ride.
Find out more about the history of the Roller Coaster!
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