A fun look at fairground history

Watch the Hartiverse fair video here: https://youtu.be/dsP1wETyXB0
Enjoy some amazing fun facts about fairs and how they started and evolved. Here are some related Amazon affiliate link resources:
Fairground Art
Ginger Fox Carnival Carnage Card Swapping Game – Step Right Up to A Fairground of Fun & Circus Curiosity Party Game
Fairground architecture;: The world of amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs (Excursions into architecture)

Fairs have a long and ancient history, deeply rooted in tradition.

The word fair is derived from the Latin ‘feria,’ meaning a holiday and at one time, the Romans were credited with the introduction of fairs.

It is now generally accepted that their origins are from pagan customs, celebrating their seasonal gatherings, which were held for the purposes of both trade and festivity, and contained within them the essential elements of fairs that have lasted into modern  times.

The Romans did much to promote fairs by improving trade and communications throughout Europe.

During the centuries following the end of Roman civilization, many fairs and other festivals were incorporated into the calendar of the growing Christian church.

Charters granted by sovereigns gave fairs legal status as well as an increasing importance in the economic life of the blossoming nation-states.

Merchants and traders from all over Europe, the Middle East and beyond were drawn to the great chartered fairs of the Middle Ages, bringing with them a wealth of goods.

The sheer number of these fairs is staggering. No fewer than 4,860 were chartered between the years 1200 and 1400, and drew not only merchants but entertainers as well, including jugglers, musicians and tumblers: the ancestors of today’s showmen.

The Black Death of 1348 brought about a new kind of fair: the job fair.

In order to stem the rise in wages caused by the shortage of workers, Edward the Third introduced the Statute of Laborers, which compelled all able-bodied men in Britain to present themselves annually for hire at a stated wage. These hiring fairs were held mainly around the end of the agricultural year.

By the early 18th century, the trading aspects of the charter fairs had waned and most fairs consisted almost entirely of amusements such as acrobats, illusionists and theatrical companies. They all plied their trades on the fairgrounds.

Around this time, the first fairground rides began to appear. They were small, crudely constructed wooden contraptions that were propelled by gangs of boys.

In 1868, Frederick Savage, a successful agricultural engineer from Kings Lynn, England, a seaport and market town north of London, devised a method of driving rides by steam.

His invention was a steam engine mounted in the center of the ride, providing thrust so gangs of boys didn’t have to. It transformed the fairground industry.

Freed from the limitations of muscle power, rides could be made larger, with greater capacity, and heavily ornamented.

The showman’s demand for novelty was matched by the ingenuity of Savage and other engineers. In the wake of the steam revolution, an amazing variety of new designs and rides appeared.

These rides were the forerunners of today’s amazing thrill rides. Over time, innovations such as electric lighting, electric motors, and hydraulics allowed rides to evolve into the amazing machines seen today at any local fairground.

Hopefully you enjoyed this fun look back at the history of how fairs came to be. Please click like and subscribe to the channel. Thank you! See you at the fair!

jamiehart

Content creator and Chewbacca cosplayer.

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