Carousel

:This article is about the amusement ride. For the stage musical, see Carousel.

History

Records of early carousels are known from the Byzantine Empire. The first steam-powered carousels began to appear in Europe in 1860, and then in England and the USA in 1870. The first carousel at Coney Island was built in 1876 by Charles I. D. Looff, a Danish woodcarver. The oldest functional carousel in Europe is in Prague (Letna Park).

Related Topics:
Byzantine Empire - Steam - Europe - 1860 - England - USA - 1870 - Prague

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The carousel met its artistic zenith in early 1900's America - the industry's carvers, mostly immigrants from Europe, took the traditions of their home countries, and let their imaginations loose in their new creations. Whereas most European carousel figures are relatively static in posture, American figures are more representative of active beasts - tossed manes, expressive eyes and postures of movement are their hallmarks. American companies fell into three distinct carving styles: The Philadelphia Style (including the William Dentzel, Daniel Carl Muller, and Philadelphia Toboggan Companies), The Coney Island Style (including the Charles Carmel, Marcus Charles Illions, Solomon Stein & Harry Goldstein, and Charles I.D. Looff companies), and The County Fair Style (including the Armitage Herschell, Allan Herschell, Edward Spillman, and Charles Parker companies).

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Image:Homemade-merry-go-round.jpg|A homemade merry-go-round

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Image:ManegeAEtage.JPG|French old-fashioned style carousel with stairs

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Image:Bruxelles-Carousel.jpg|Old carousel in Bruxelles

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