Fairs and circus history
Darts
The popularity of darts is said to have originated on the fairground, with innovative showman creating versions of the game by 'sticking' playing cards or hitting the 'one' of an old pound note. Darts games continue to this day with variations for winning prizes based on achieving a 'less than' or 'more than' score. Prizes, traditionally known as 'swag', change through the years and reflect social and cultural interest of the time.
K. Harriss with Darts Stall, Halifax, Yorkshire, photographed 1957. From
the Cliff Marsden and Cedric H. Conway
collections.
Photograph copyright © National
Fairground Archive, The University of Sheffield.
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