The history of the funfair.

The funfair is the event where everybody is waiting for: the highlight of the year. It is not known exactly when the first funfair was held. History tells us that the roots were the annual markets held in many villages and towns. Originally the annual markets were the places where all sorts of goods and trade changed from ownership. Later these markets became the places where besides social contacts also the factors like entertainment and forgetting the daily struggle for life became more important.
The next step was “good food and drinking”. Soon this was followed by the presence of all sorts of actors producing some form of amusement: acrobats, illusionists, magicians etc. Lotteries, and ballgames with exotic things like throwing coco-nuts in a basket whereby the public was actively engaged (and could perhaps earn some money) became also popular.
It is in the beginning of the 19th century that the first paid rides could be made. This can be seen as the forerunnner of the (steam)roundabout or merry go round.
The first attractions were men-powered and also a short time powered by animals.
We write 1861 when is mentioned the first roundabout powered by steam
Gradually the market got the shape as we know it with groups and families operating amusement items at these fairs and travelling from one fair to the other.
In the early days this was not easy: the poor quality of the roads and limited means of transport restricted the voyages.
It was the introduction of steamengines of the traction type that made transport easier; also the introduction of the streamroller was important because that resulted in an improvement of the quality of the roads.

The introduction of the showmans engine in the fun fair world can be seen as a new era for the fair entertainment owners. With these engines it was possible to transport heavy loads over long distances to the next destination. At the place of the next fair the showmans engine could be used to build up the fair; the showman was often equipped with a small crane jib at the rearside for hoisting work. When the fair was ready the showmans engines were used to generate electricity for the illumination of the fair attractions; later the electricity was also used to power the electric motors of the fair attractions. In the early days steam was used only for the roundabout and gallopers.

 

Here under is given a small overview of attractions you could find on the average fun fair:

The roundabout or merry go round and gallopers.
The Big wheel or Ferris wheel.
Rifle range.
Lighthouse slip (also named the Helter Skelter)
Cake Walk
Steam yachts
Striker

You can find photographs of these attractions in the photomenu

The roundabout or merry go round Back

and gallopers is powered with a small steamengine located in the centre of the attraction. The roundabout was initially equipped with small gondolas, horses and other animals. Made from wood which was cut and carved very artistically, they were very nice to see and showed great craftmanship. Also the beautiful colours (hand painted) attracted admiration. Up till 1885 the gondolas and animals were fixed on the rotating basic platform. In 1885 the firm Savage of Kings Lynns (later a famous builder of fun fair attractions) builds the first roundabout with moving horses. It is named “Gallopers” inspired by the galloping movement of the horses. The movement is via a crank powered by the rotating movement of the roundabout. Sometimes the construction was below the floor, in other constructions the mechanism was in the roof part of the roundabout. You can imagines that these attractions were very popular; also the small organ in the middle increased the feeling of great entertainment. It showed the high craftmanship of these complex and beautiful constructions.

The Big wheel or Ferris wheel. Back
The Big wheel or Ferris wheel is named after the inventor of this attraction. In the early days of the 20th century this attraction is already mentioned. The big wheel is a large steel construction in the shape of a big vertical wheel, sometimes with a diameter (so height) up to 30-40 meters. Free hanging seats are connected to the wheel for the visitor. When the wheel turns, the seats are moving from the ground to the highest point of the wheel, which gives a nice birds eye view. The wheel is powered by an electric motor. The electricity was generated by a showmans engine. The entrance to the attraction was decorated with nicely shaped and carved wooden panels painted in happy colours signed with joyful texts. It was just in front of the wheel. At one side was in most cases the box of the cashier and at the other side was a small organ. The visitor entered via the cashier, went into the seat at the wheel and left at the other side after the ride. The Ferris wheel can still be found on many steamfairs in England. Some are 80 years old!

The Rifle Range Back
The oldest form of the shooting gallery. The attraction was a large panel with a colourful decorated scenery with small holes. Through these holes you could fire on the bulls eye. The bullets are collected at the end in a long tube behind the scenery. The bulls eye is illuminated through a hole in the collecting basket of the bullets. It can be transported via a rope to the front so the shooter can see his result and a new card can be installed.

Lighthouse slip or Helter skelter Back
A lighthouse slip is a wooden tower with a glide at the outer side spiralling down. A staircase is inside the tower to climb to the top. With a small mat you could slide down. The mat was purchased from the cashier. The cashier box was besides the entrance to the staircase. You could see this attraction in the old days at nearly every fun fair. Unfortunately, not many towers have survived. With a little bit of luck you can see and enjoy them nowadays on a steamrally.

Cakewalk Back
The cakewalk is the forerunner of the Lunapark. It consists mainly of “shaking” walking boards and the target is to walk over these moving boards to the finish. It gives always great fun!

Steam Yachts Back
A well known and very old fair attraction built by Savage of Kings Lynn. The swings, which have capacity for 5-10 persons are driven with a steamengine with 2 cylinders. Each cylinder operates a swing.

Striker Back
In Dutch it is called “the head of John”. It is an attraction where the visitor can show if he can handle a large wooden hammer in the right way. The attraction consists of a long vertical wooden panel with a metal glider. Around the glider or rail can move a small metal disc. By hitting a pen with the wooden hammer the disc is “launched” upwards. If you are clever and strong, the disc will reach the top of the glider and ring a bell.