The rocket holds a special place in history.
Its an icon of technological progress thats both revered and feared at the same time.
A rocket slide at a playground in Iowa, United States.
But the locals opposed and authorities had to keep their hands off.
Todays playgrounds are a bastion of safety.
Fiberglass and wood have replaced metals and rusted bolts.
The rocket ship slide in Torrances Los Arboles Park, installed in 1960.
But manufacturers felt that if their equipment didnt meet those guidelines, theyd be vulnerable to liability.
Everybody went to the extreme, making everything super safe so they wouldnt risk getting sued.
Playgrounds across the country began retiring old equipment.
But lower heights and softer landing havent made playgrounds any safer.
On the contrary, injuries seems to have risen.
A jungle gym in Riverside Park in Manhattan, which has disappeared now.
Photo credit:rarehistoricalphotos.com
Girls playground, Harriet Island, St. Paul, Minn. 1905.
Photo credit:rarehistoricalphotos.com
Broadway Playfield, 1910.
Photo credit:rarehistoricalphotos.com
Rings and poles, Bronx Park, New York.
Photo credit:rarehistoricalphotos.com
Hiawatha Playground, 1912.
Photo credit:rarehistoricalphotos.com
A rocket shaped playground apparatus in Thetford, England.
Photo credit:Sludge G/Wikimedia
A rocket in Levy Lowry Memorial Park, Princeton, Missouri.
Photo credit:Nels Olsen/Wikimedia
A rocket-shaped playground equipment in Bakerview Park, Mount Vernon, United States.
Photo credit:amanda/Flickr
A rocket slide at a playground in Chillicothe, Missouri, United States.
Photo credit:Nels Olsen/Flickr
A rocket slide at a playground in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States.
Photo credit:clarkmaxwell/Flickr
A rocket slid at a playground in Benalla, Australia.
Photo credit:Peter Ermel/Panoramio
Sources:Wikipedia/Mineral County Independent News/Collectors Weekly/NY Times
