This Story of "The Brass Ring"

Brass ring devices were developed during the heyday of the carousel in the U.S.—about 1880 to 1921. At one time, the riders on the outside row of horses were often given a little challenge, perhaps as a way to draw interest or build excitement, more often as an enticement to sit on the outside row of horses which frequently did not move up and down and were therefore less enticing by themselves. Most rings were iron, but one or two per ride were made of brass; if a rider managed to grab a brass ring, it could be redeemed for a free ride. References to a literal brass ring go back into the 1890s.

As the carousel began to turn, rings were fed to one end of a wooden arm that was suspended above the riders. Riders hoped that the timing of the carousel rotation (and the rise-and-fall motion of their seat, when movable seats were included in the outer circle of the carousel) would place them within reach of the dispenser when a ring (and preferably a brass ring) was available.

Another system had mostly steel rings of no value and one brass ring, and a target into which the rings were to be thrown (for example the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Looff Carousel uses a clown target shown in the photo above, and the Knoebel's Amusement Resort Grand Carousel uses a lion target),^]discouraging retention of the rings as souvenirs.

"Grabbing the brass ring" or getting a "shot at the brass ring" also means striving for the highest prize, or living life to the fullest. It is not clear when the phrase came into wide use but has been found in dictionaries as far back as the late 19th century.

We recently had a brilliant idea! Or so we thought...

Our daughter graduated and her father, my husband, wanted to make something special for her. He remembered the story of "Grabbing for the Brass Ring" and thought he would like to make a stand with a "Brass Ring" to symbolize her accomplishment. (She received her Master of Science)  He worked all night in between doing other things and even found an engraver to do a brass plate for the wood stand. It was beautiful. We both like unusual things and thought this is unique and special because he made it.

Long story short at the dinner after the graduation he presented it to her and the entire table which included ages from 72 to 14, (about 15 people present) had not heard of the brass ring story so the significance of it was lost to all present.

Back to the drawing board...