The History of Carousels

In the 12th century, Arabian and Turkish warriors engaged in a training game that the Spanish and Italians referred to as “little war.” In fact, the French word “carousel” is derived from the Spanish and Italian words for “little war” (garosello and carosella, respectively). While the game may have appeared whimsical, it was a serious exercise in horsemanship. It involved tossing a clay ball filled with perfume between riders — the player who dropped it would be covered in perfume until he was able to bathe. The French later innovated on the little war concept by developing a device to help knights practice for competitions — the direct predecessor of the modern carousel that we are familiar with today. It featured several legless wooden horses suspended from arms that were all connected to a central rotating pole. While the knights practiced spearing a hanging ring with their jousting lances (a practice later mimicked by leisure carousels that invited riders to reach out and grab or toss brass rings, often in exchange for a free ride), the device would turn. Notably, the central pole would have to be rotated by a human, horse, or mule. Civilians thought the jousters' exercises looked like fun and versions designed for entertainment began to crop up. By the 19th century, carousels that closely resembled the practice devices used by knights were being used to entertain European fairgoers. Powering the carousels remained a challenge, however. At first, leisure carousels were powered by humans or animals, much like the knights’ version. For a short time, bicycle-powered carousels were even used! Then in 1861, the first steam-powered carousel was created by an Englishman named Thomas Bradshaw. This was a game-changing invention, but it still did not usher in the “Golden Age of the Carousel” — that began when the carousel came to the United States in the late 19th century. American carousels were massive in comparison to their European counterparts and featured elaborately painted woodwork on both the horses themselves and other decorative parts of the ride. Zoo animals and mythical creatures were soon added alongside the traditional horses, creating a sense of awe and whimsy around the rides. The capability for the mounts to move up and down was also an American contribution. The “Golden Age of Carousels” lasted from the late 19th century through 1930. However, carousels remained a key attraction in many American public parks and at many fairs and carnivals long after. And while there are fewer carousels around today, many historic installations are still in operation; travelling carnivals often offer carousel rides, too.