Bette Largent sent me this interesting note on carousel direction, and
I am forwarding it to MMD for archiving, with Bette's permission.

 -- Forwarded message, please reply to sender and MMD --

From: blargent@gowebway.com.geentroep (Bette Largent)(fwd)

Hi Matt,  I've been following the discussion on the MMDigest on the
rotation direction of the carousels.

I was told by several "authorities" that the direction was actually
determined by existing patents on the mechanisms in Europe.  The
German-made mechanisms rotated counter-clockwise, the English,
clockwise.

The Eden Palais, although French, utilized a German mechanism.  [ Art
Reblitz says the horses are by Joseph Huebner of Germany.  -- Matthew ]
Often, in France, they were made up with Heyn horses as well, thus the
opposite direction to their English neighbors.

The major carousel creators in the U.S., such as Dentzel and Looff,
were immigrants with ties to the German machines.  Looff's early carving
style mimics the Heyn horses of his homeland.  He either imported the
gears, etc., as well, or at least copied their construction.  Our old
gears were cast by Looff and bear his brand on each of them.  Many of
our (U.S.) early machines did not come with a ring arm, but had it
either as an option or they were added later.

They had to keep coming up with something "new", just like the latest
model of cars.  The ring arm brought the young adult back as a rider as
the other new amusement rides were introduced that had more of a thrill
than the "old" merry-go-round.

Since all these marvelous creations were prior to our modern day enter-
tainments such as radio, TV, etc., I believe that many of our early
carousel carvers were avid readers.  Their addition of such things as
the ring arm was probably based on the research of the early machines
of Europe.  I think this research alsobrought us the classical carving
styles and those marvelous armored horses.

Too bad we can't get the younger generation hooked on such things as
reading, but I think the Internet, when used properly, will actually
fill the void.  (Can you tell that I was a librarian in my other life?)

Bette Largent
Spokane WA