History of the Carousel
The first funfair Carousel ride dates to the 6th century and originated in ancient Byzantium where people tied baskets to a centre pole and spun people around in them.
The word ‘Carousel’ originated from the Italian Carosella and Spanish Carosella ("little battle"), used by crusaders to describe a combat preparation exercise and game played by Turkish and Arabian horsemen during the 12th century
The modern carousel as we know them, emerged from early jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East. Knights would gallop in a circle while throwing balls to each other, an activity that required great skill and horsemanship.
Another kind of carousel emerged in the 17th century in Belgium and France to celebrate special events. This was a ceremonial parade of knights and noblemen on horseback around a courtyard, accompanied by tournaments and various equestrian demonstrations and games, including the spearing of cardboard heads of "Moors" and "Saracens". The most famous carousel of this kind was held by Louis XIV in June 1662, in the courtyard of the Tuileries Palace, to celebrate the birth of his son and heir. The site of the event, next to the Louvre, is still known as "the Carrousel".
By the early 18th century carousels were being built and operated at various fairs and gatherings in central Europe and England. Animals and mechanisms would be crafted during the winter months and the family and workers would go touring in their wagon train through the region, operating their large menagerie carousel at various venues. Makers included Heyn in Germany and Bayol in France. These early carousels had no platforms, and the animals would hang from chains and fly out from the spinning mechanism.
Carousels as we know them
By the mid-19th century, the platform for the carousel was developed, these rides were called ‘Dobbies’ and were manually operated by hand or ponies. That’s what you call working for your ride!
The first steam-powered mechanical roundabout was invented by Thomas Bradshaw and was debuted in approximately 1861. The use of steam was an innovation and went on to dramatically change the face of funfairs until the modern day.
Frederick Savage
Leaving the production of agricultural machinery behind him Frederick Savage became a pioneer in the construction of fairground machines and his machines were imported all over the world.
By 1870, along with William Sanger Steam Carousels were manufactured with Velocipedes (an early type of bicycle ride). They soon began experimenting with other possibilities, including a roundabout with boats that would pitch and roll in a circular motion, it was called 'Sea-on-Land'.
Sea-On-Land, where the riders would pitch up and down as if they were on the sea.
His "galloping horse" innovation is seen on carousels today.
Savage applied a similar innovation to the more traditional mount of the horse giving the animals their well-known up-and-down motion as they travelled around the centre pole. He called this ride the 'Platform Gallopers’.
Eventually, electric motors were installed, and electric lights added, giving the Carousel its classic look, which we all admire today.
In his 1902 Catalogue for Roundabouts, he claimed to have "... patented and placed upon the market all the principal novelties that have delighted the many thousands of pleasure seekers at home and abroad."
Our great Uncle was one of the first travelling showmen to own a set of ‘Dobbies’ and ‘Sea on Land’ and there are records of his travelling life dating to the early as 1850’s.