RIDE RIDE RIDE !

RIDE RIDE RIDE - taking a ride !
This image shows the gaudy paintwork of the fairground Dobby Horse.

Many original roundabout horses were turned by children. Hand-turned Dobbies were a great favourite with all the family.

Later the roundabouts were pulled by ponies, before steam replaced muscle power around 1861. Thomas Bradshaw first opened such a device on the old Pot Market in Bolton.

There was even a bicycle-powered roundabout known as Velocipede.
Manufacturers competed to try to make the Dobby Horses gallop. By the end of the 1890's crank-action Gallopers were being supplied by several British engineers.
Rides then progressed through steam yachts, switchbacks, tunnel rides and caterpillars to the big wheel. Similarly dodgems and waltzers evolved into the modern theme rides we see today.

Remember them ? I do. Many thanks for all the support yesterday. Enjoy the Blip ride.