vrijdag 20 april 2012

PHOTOS: Historians reveal world’s first slide

Built in England in 1922

 
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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.
SLIDE20N_2_WEB

Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA/Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA

Wicksteed's original design featured separate slides for boys and girls.

“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.
SLIDE20N_1_WEB

Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA/Geoffrey Robinson/Rex / Rex USA

Wicksteed eventually created a model of the slide 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


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/photos-historians-reveal-world-slide-article-1.1064433#ixzz1sZrFUZzZ

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