Useless facts about Merry-Go-Rounds.....SmoknJoe

What's the story behind the invention of the merry-go-round?

It's the oldest amusement ride around and was originally created during the Middle Ages as a device for training knights to joust. It took tragedy to popularize: When Catherine de Medicis' husband was killed during a jousting tournament in 1559, the merry-go- round began to take the place of actual knight-against-knight jousting as a safer alternative. Knights on the backs of wooden horses could spear rings or effigies of Turkish soldiers as they circled around and around. Jousting as a combat sport soon fell away entirely and the carousel's popularity grew when spectators also wanted a turn on the painted ponies. As homage to this early ride, some merry-go-round operators in Paris will still hang rings and offer riders a stick as they mount their rides.

Stll ride them!!!

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