The
manufacturers of the Octopus Fairground ride were Lusse, Hayes and
first came to prominence in 1937. There are around 75 in the UK and
they are one of the most well-renowned rides across the fairground
industry. They have a rich and long-lasting history and will always
remain in the hearts of many people who love fairgrounds, across the
nation..
The Octopus ride is logically shaped like one, with a rotating centre crank pin which pulls 8 arms up and down in sequence. It was popular in the UK in the post-war years and quite a spectacle in the moonlight. Although Lusse manufactured the machine, it appears that most machines they built were uprooted from their original location and moved to another one. More and more were built in time and the Octopus name was popular so things went from there. In the 1950's the Octopus rides became more decorated with some quite scary Octopi, adoring the rides with heavy tentacles causing danger and menace.
Hayes Fabrication started producing Octopus rides around 1959. Shorter arms meant a machine that was easy to maintain, something which Hayes grasped from an early stage. The machines were also erected with the classic pay-box feature. The Octopus was in demand in the UK until the 1980's where thrill rides took over. During the 80's, the Octopus became a safe alternative to some of the more thrilling roller-coasters and they even spread across the water to Ireland.
At the moment there are about 12 Octopus rides which travel the UK, 20 which are still going strong in Ireland, and another 10 which have been packed up. Carter's Steam Fair toyed with the idea of using it as a vintage exhibition, all perhaps with a slightly updated twist to it.
Essentially, the Octopus is a ride which has delighted many people and will always be popular among fairground lovers in the UK.
The Octopus ride is logically shaped like one, with a rotating centre crank pin which pulls 8 arms up and down in sequence. It was popular in the UK in the post-war years and quite a spectacle in the moonlight. Although Lusse manufactured the machine, it appears that most machines they built were uprooted from their original location and moved to another one. More and more were built in time and the Octopus name was popular so things went from there. In the 1950's the Octopus rides became more decorated with some quite scary Octopi, adoring the rides with heavy tentacles causing danger and menace.
Hayes Fabrication started producing Octopus rides around 1959. Shorter arms meant a machine that was easy to maintain, something which Hayes grasped from an early stage. The machines were also erected with the classic pay-box feature. The Octopus was in demand in the UK until the 1980's where thrill rides took over. During the 80's, the Octopus became a safe alternative to some of the more thrilling roller-coasters and they even spread across the water to Ireland.
At the moment there are about 12 Octopus rides which travel the UK, 20 which are still going strong in Ireland, and another 10 which have been packed up. Carter's Steam Fair toyed with the idea of using it as a vintage exhibition, all perhaps with a slightly updated twist to it.
Essentially, the Octopus is a ride which has delighted many people and will always be popular among fairground lovers in the UK.
