| Spanish crusaders first observed the Turks playing an | | | | machines became possible. These steam powered |
| equestrian game in the 11th century. They described | | | | carousels were mostly a product of American |
| the game as carosella, which means "little war," | | | | craftsmen. They were larger and more elaborate than |
| presumably because of the seriousness with which | | | | European versions. The carousel horse evolved into a |
| the Turks undertook the game. When the Spanish | | | | beautifully carved and decorated figure. Antique |
| crusaders returned to Europe they brought tales of | | | | carousel horses also took on a variety of distinctive |
| this game back with them. It quickly evolved into a | | | | styles. They resembled parade horses, painted Indian |
| display of horsemanship which the French called the | | | | ponies, armored warhorses, and mythical unicorns. |
| carousel. | | | | Carousel rides were not limited to horses. They were |
| In the French version of the carousel, riders on | | | | joined by jungle animals, barnyard animals, cats, dogs, |
| horseback tilted lances at rings hung from a tree limb | | | | ocean creatures, dragons and teddy bears. If a beast |
| by brightly colored ribbon. The most skilled riders were | | | | could conceivably be ridden, either real or imaginary, it |
| able to spear of the lance through the ring. The | | | | could be found on an American carousel. |
| carousel remained very popular throughout medieval | | | | American carousels were incredibly popular until the |
| times. Many rewards and honors were bestowed | | | | time of the Great Depression. People scarcely had |
| upon the riders who could successfully spear the ring. | | | | funds for necessities let alone for frivolous items like |
| The carousel was a game for French nobleman. | | | | carousel rides. Companies which specialize in the |
| Every noble family wanted their young sons to do well | | | | manufacture of carousels closed. Many amusement |
| in this sport. For this reason they created a device to | | | | parks went out of business with the decline of the |
| help train young riders. The device was a rotating pole, | | | | economy and many wonderful carousels were |
| from which a series of arms radiated. Chains were | | | | discarded. |
| hung from the arms, and carved horses were affixed | | | | By the time the economy improved modern |
| to the chains. Young riders would sit on the carved | | | | manufacturing technology had come into being. |
| horses with lances and tilt at rings as the poll was | | | | Carousel horses were no longer intricately carved by |
| rotated. | | | | hand. They were instead cast from aluminum or |
| Carousels were very popular, and by a 1780 or so | | | | plastics such as fiberglass. This same technology |
| there were numerous carousels throughout Europe | | | | allowed modern amusement parks to create more |
| which were used solely for entertainment. These | | | | exciting rides. Carousels became rides for children. |
| carousels were uniformly small and easy to transport, | | | | More than 4000 carousels were produced during the |
| since they had to be moved from place to place by | | | | height of their popularity, but fewer than 150 remain |
| carrying them. | | | | today. They are now treasured as collector's items, |
| When steam engine technology was applied to | | | | and sought after as beautiful examples of American |
| carousels, much larger and more sophisticated | | | | wood carving and design. |