carousels

A carousel, also known as a merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. Most often the seats are carved or sculpted figures of horses or other animals, sometimes chariots, and riders are mounted on poles that rise and fall as the platform turns to imitate galloping. The ride is powered by electric motors or other mechanisms, and music—historically from an organ or calliope—adds to the experience. Early carousels evolved from training and entertainment devices used in medieval and early modern Europe, with decorative, hand-carved figures becoming characteristic of the 19th century. The modern carousel refined the gear systems that move the figures up and down in time with the rotation, enabling a smooth, rhythmic motion enjoyed in fairs, seaside towns, and parks around the world. Some carousels are notable for their artistic sculptures and historical significance.

In digital contexts, a carousel (or image carousel) refers to a rotating display widget that presents multiple items—such as images, headlines, or calls to action—in a single space on a webpage or app. Users can navigate through slides via arrows or indicators, and autoplay may advance slides at set intervals. Carousels are used to highlight featured content or promotions while conserving page space, but they require careful implementation to avoid accessibility and usability issues. Best practices emphasize clear controls, readable slides, responsive behavior, and consideration of performance and user attention, ensuring that content remains accessible to keyboard and screen-reader users and that motion does not create confusion or distraction.