The carousel, also known as a merry-go-round, is found in almost every theme park and amusement park. It has a rich history that dates back several centuries, but you might be surprised to learn that prior to being used for entertainment it was used for training for battle! The fact that the most common carousel uses horses is no accident as the carousel’s origins can be traced to medieval jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East. During this time riders practiced spearing rings while galloping in circles—a game called “carosella,” meaning “little war” in Italian. The term “grab the brass ring”, where riders could grab a ring from a dispenser for a prize (highly unsafe to think about doing today), was based on this practice.

By the 17th century the carousel had transitioned to pure amusement, with wooden horses mounted on rotating platforms powered by people or animals. The first steam-powered carousels appeared in the mid-19th century, transforming the ride into a popular attraction at fairs and amusement parks followed later by electric motors. In the United States the first carousel appeared just after independence in 1799, but the late 1800s to early 1900s became known as the “Golden Age” of carousels, marked by elaborate hand-carved horses and ornate decorations. Many of these old carousels have been preserved and you can still ride them today such as the one at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (Lake Winnie) built back in 1913 pictured at the top of the article. There’s even a minor league baseball team named after historical carousels called the Binghampton Rumble Ponies as “rumble pony” is slang for a carousel horse, and the Binghamton, NY area is known for its carousels

Today, carousels remain a beloved symbol of nostalgia and artistry, blending craftsmanship, music, and motion into a timeless amusement. In many cases the horse has been replaced with other animals or been modernized to provide new twists such a as the 360 such as each carriage turning 360 degrees on the Constellation Carousel at Epic Universe. The core still remains though of a timeless ride that is approachable to guests young and old with just enough thrill to bring a smile to everyone’s face. The next time you ride a carousel perhaps take a moment to remember this ride’s interesting history and envision yourself back hundreds of years ago jousting for rings.