PHOTOS: Historians reveal world’s first slide
Built in England in 1922
By Rheana Murray / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 5:03 PM
Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA/Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA
The world's first slide was made from only wood, and didn't feature side rails for safety.
Historic photographs have surfaced of the world’s very first playground slide, which was little more than a few planks of wood and a set of stairs.
Built in 1922 in Northamptonshire, England, the original slide was made entirely from wood and lacked side rails.
“These days, the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a playground,” said historian Linden Groves, who discovered the photographs.
“But in those days, people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers, you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six-figure payout.”
The slide was created by Charles Wicksteed, who went on to manufacture a more modern version from steel and wood.
Wicksteed is quoted in one of his company catalogs in 1924:
“It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake. They go up without fear or trembling and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of thousands of sliders use them.”
Wicksteed also introduced the curve at the end of the slide, so that children don’t speed straight into the ground.
rmurray@nydailynews.com
Built in 1922 in Northamptonshire, England, the original slide was made entirely from wood and lacked side rails.
“These days, the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a playground,” said historian Linden Groves, who discovered the photographs.
Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA/Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA
Wicksteed's original design featured separate slides for boys and girls.
The slide was created by Charles Wicksteed, who went on to manufacture a more modern version from steel and wood.
Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA/Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA
Wicksteed eventually created a model of the slide from steel and wood.
“It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake. They go up without fear or trembling and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of thousands of sliders use them.”
Wicksteed also introduced the curve at the end of the slide, so that children don’t speed straight into the ground.
rmurray@nydailynews.com
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/photos-historians-reveal-world-slide-article-1.1064433#ixzz1sZrFUZzZ
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