Mechanical Memories Magazine

Edwin Hall Kiddie Rides
By Jerry Chattenton
Kiddie rides seem to be an aspect of coin-op collecting that has always been largely
neglected, I guess probably because of their size. Information and published literature on
the subject is therefore scarce. Of all the kiddie rides manufactured in this country in
over half a century, perhaps the most revered are from the firm of Edwin Hall &Co.
The name Edwin Hall will be familiar to all vintage fairground enthusiasts, as he
was the chief artist and designer at the famous fairground ride builders, R. J. Lakin. The
magnificent artwork which adorned the huge, imposing arks and speedways of the mid
to late 1930s was the work and inspiration of Edwin Hall. The Lakin works, based at 67
Besley Street, Streatham, London SW16, finally closed in 1952, and Edwin Hall took
over part of the premises. It appears the Edwin Hall firm commenced production of
kiddie rides sometime during 1953, as is evidenced by this report which appeared in the
26 th March 1955 edition of the American Billboard Magazine.
STREA THAM. England, March 19 - kiddies. The firm hold sole rights for
The majority of British kiddie rides are reproducing Muffin the Mule as a
built by hand.
kiddie ride.
Edwin Hall & Company, one of the
Chief Models
principal
British
kiddie
ride
manufacturers, stated: .. We have not
the same large prospective market as in
America. therefore our machines
cannot he mass produced - they arc
mostly hand built."
The Hall Company has been
manufacturing
kiddie
rides
for
approximately 18 months. The firm
also makes sho,\mcn's equipment,
brightly painted and more or less to
individual requirements.
The company's best money maker
in England has been a ride called
Muffin the Mule, which is an
adaptation of an animal character
featured on a British television show,
a great favourite with English
Other chief models produced by the
company arc Space Ship. Tug Boat and
Cowboy Horse. New models to he
shO\~:n at the British Industries Fair are
a Helicopter and a Trackless Railway
Engine which can hold about I 0
children. can pull trucks and could
be used in stores.
The Cowboy Horse unit was at
first not so popular in England. but
after the installation of music in
connection with the ride. it became
an attraction.
The company's rides arc now in
many of the main stores in London.
and there is a waiting list requesting
the rides. according to the fim1.
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