The Amusement Park: History, Culture and the Heritage of Pleasure (Heritage, Culture and Identity)

Cyclone, Revolution, Corkscrew; Luna Park, Pleasure Beach, Dreamland – names and places instantly familiar to rollercoaster and amusement park enthusiasts. But what first gave rise to the concept and nomenclature of the amusement park; how did amusement parks develop in Britain and elsewhere, and what fate awaits historic amusement parks and their rides today?

This thought-provoking and timely book brings together leading writers from a variety of disciplines to explore the social history and cultural heritage of the amusement park. Rooted in the British experience but informed by extensive international coverage, it provides a thematic, comparative exploration of the origins, development, decline and significance of the amusement park. The rich set of case studies presented comment on the interrelationships between history, culture and heritage, challenging traditional academic boundaries while offering important contributions to policy-making and regeneration initiatives.

The book provides new insights into a neglected aspect of popular culture and will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of history, heritage, tourism, leisure, technology and design.