A carousel is a merry-go-round found at amusement parks, shopping centers, county fairs and other public places of entertainment. They can be structures which have been available more than a 100 years, causing them to be, along with the roller coaster, one of the oldest amusement rides.  Carousels can be found outdoors as well as indoors and are typically designed for children, although adults have fun on carousels, as well, particularly while they are accompanying their children.

The carousel contains a large circular platform that rotates.  The seats, situated throughout the platform, are usually horses or any other animals.  They could be mounted in a stationary position or configured to move down and up since the carousel rotates.  Generally, the animals featured on the carousel are "standing figures" that have no less than three feet on a lawn, "prancers" that have two feet within the air and 2 on a lawn, and "jumpers" which may have all their feet within the air.

This is some more fun and information about carousels:

1. In 1799, the initial known carousel appeared in Salem, Massachusetts promoted inside an advertisement.  It was actually called wooden horse "circus ride."

2. In the early 1800's for the early 1930s, it absolutely was considered the golden era of the wooden carousels with as many as 3,000 of these produced.  A few of the horses created featured real horsehair for their mains and tails. Two of the golden age carvers were John Zalar and Daniel C. Muller.  These people were not just carousel carvers these people were formally trained in sculpture and fine arts. Today, the golden age is long gone, and you will probably find lower than 150 wooden carousels functioning.

3. The golden age carousels often were made out of two seats to match ladies and small children because sitting astride the carousel's horses, during that period in history, was considered undignified and unacceptable.  Therefore, the seats allowed women to have the carousel ride without sacrificing their dignity.

4. In early nineteenth century, carousels were considered not just amusement rides.  Doctors promoted carousel rides being a health aid.  It had been thought that riding on a carousel helped with blood circulation.

5. Charles Lindberg, the American aviator who died in 1974, and who had been the first person to cross the Atlantic ocean in a airplane, considered the carousel to become tool of relaxation.  In reality, he rode the carousel at Coney Island to chill out ahead of the flight.

6. The oldest platform carousel still operational is known as "Flying Horses."  It was launched in 1876, plus it may be found in the United States on Martha's Vinyard in Massachusetts.

7. There are actually only a few carousel figure carving schools available.  One is "Horsin' Around" based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

8. Most modern carousels will not be created from wood but are constructed with aluminum or fiberglass.

9. For those choosing the biggest carousel they may find, the "House on the Rock" may be the largest indoor carousel.  Positioned in Spring Green Wisconsin, they have over 200 carousel animals, over 20,000 lights, plus more.

10. In American history, the carousel plays a vital role.  Two stamps, by the usa Postal Service, have commemorated the carousel.  They were issued in 1988 and also in 1995.