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  • Eric Lusito - Traces of the Soviet Empire
    DUKAS_44090348_REX
    Eric Lusito - Traces of the Soviet Empire
    MANDATORY CREDIT: Eric Lusito/Rex Features. Only for use in story about Eric Lusito's "After the Wall: Traces of the Soviet Empire" photo project. Editorial Use Only. No stock, books, advertising or merchandising without photographer's permission
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Lusito/REX (4033703bv)
    GERMANY / Altes Lager / 2008. Abandoned Soviet military base after the collapse of the USSR. Metal shelves. At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union had some 400,000 soldiers stationed in what was then East Germany. The Group of Soviet Forces inGermany was the Warsaw Pact's most potent military force outside the Soviet Union. Completed in 1994, the withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops, relatives and children of officers, civil employees and dependants is described by historians as the biggest withdrawal ever by an army not defeated in battle.
    Eric Lusito - Traces of the Soviet Empire
    FULL COPY: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/p8ug

    These haunting photographs show the remnants of the once all-powerful Soviet empire.

    They are the work of Eric Lusito, who spent six years travelling throughout the former Soviet world from East Germany to Mongolia, from Poland to Kazakhstan to seek out remains of the military installations that embodied the ambition and the might of the USSR.

    Describing himself as working like an archaeologist, the French photographer says his project "Traces of the Soviet Empire" is a photographic record of the land and architecture - haunted by the symbols and history of a once powerful Empire.

    The on-going project takes the form of three series: exteriors, interiors, and found photographs "images from another time, another space and another world".

    What he found was colourful propaganda wall art, faded frescos of Lenin, discarded gas masks, and huge monuments, including those in the shapes of a soldier and a sword.
    (FOTO:DUKAS/REX)

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370105_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590l)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370104_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590m)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370102_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590k)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370101_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590j)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370100_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590i)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370099_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590g)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370098_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590h)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370097_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590f)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370095_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590e)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370094_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590d)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370093_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590c)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370090_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590b)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    DUKAS_23370088_REX
    Historians uncover photos showing world's first children's slide constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Britain - 16 Apr 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features (1697590a)

    Revealed: World's First Children's Slide
    Historians have uncovered photos of the world's first children's slider, which was constructed 90 years ago from a plank of wood.

    Girls and boys can be seen climbing the dangerously steep four-metre high ladder, then pushing themselves down the long wooden plank which has nothing to stop them falling off.

    The primitive piece of play equipment was constructed in 1922 in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire - the first park of its kind in the UK.

    It was designed by owner Charles Wicksteed, who initially made slides for his park before going on to manufacture and sell them around the world.

    "These days the health and safety brigade would have a fit if a slide like this was put in a children's playground," said national child play historian Linden Groves, whose research unearthed the photos.

    "But in those days people took responsibility for themselves. If you fell off a slide and tore your trousers you would get a clip round the ear from your dad, not a six figure payout.

    "Wicksteed's slide was a pioneering piece of play equipment and very popular with girls and boys as the pictures show."

    The Wicksteed company catalogue for 1924 gives an illustration of the first slide and states that remarkably there were no accidents.

    The description says: "The planks are faced with teak, and as this does not splinter it keeps a smooth glossy surface. The supposed wear and tear of the children's clothes does not take place.

    "If the plank were not smooth the children could not slide down, and if it is smooth no wear takes place.

    "It was at first thought that children would hesitate about climbing so high a ladder; this has proved to be quite a mistake, they go up without fear or trembling, and we have never had an accident of any sort, although tens of t...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/IHKXWIOIF

    DUKAS/REX