At the turn of the 20th century, in a time of relative peace in the United States, between the Civil War and WWI, flying horse carousels began to dot the eastern seaboard, then quickly spread west, designed to entertain an optimistic new generation of families.

Enterprising riders could elect to take part in a captivating game. The object was simple: if a child sat on the outside ring of horses, which often did not rise and fall like those situated towards the center, the rider could enter a contest to grab metal rings that were served from a fixed dispenser.

Competing required the rider to lean off the horse and reach for the served rings, with some dexterity and quickness, as their horse orbited the circumference of the carousel. The dispenser was loaded with dozens of iron rings - but only one was made of precious brass. Whichever rider pulled the brass ring, won a prize: a free ticket on the next carousel ride.