Posted on 06/01/2010 12:30:03 AM PDT by Korah
Thanks to movies like Urban Cowboy, Stir Crazy, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, and others, many are very familiar with what a mechanical bull is. What many may not realize is that the mechanical bull was being used as an entertainment attraction long before the "1980"s. Fact is there was an amusement park in New Jersey called Bertrand Island Amusement Park that used a mechanical bull in the 1930s they called the ""Ride 'Em Cowboy!"
Although he was raised on a farm in Vermont, Coolidge developed an allergy to actual horses, Bartlett said. The mechanical horse allowed the chief executive to get some exercise in a quick and efficient way. Controls on the machine let the rider vary the intensity from a trot to a gallop. Bartlett said the horse has not worked in years, however. It is presently being introduced to the public in the traveling exhibit called the "Cowboys and Presidents" exhibit that is exploring how cowboy lore has been used by various presidents to define their administrations from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush.
Another interesting tidbit about the history of the mechanical bull is that according to Forbes archivist Julie H. Bartlett, Calvin Coolidge , the 30th President of the United States, acquired a electrically operated horse in 1925.
To be honest, it was just a matter of time before man would create technology that would enable us to replace the beasts of burden we have used for thousands of years. With the advancement of technology, we have invented many machines that make life easier and more accessible to the general public. One of those inventions was the mechanical bull that enabled rodeo riders to practice and hone their skills before jumping on the back of a live 2,000 pound angry bull in the hopes of lasting 8 seconds. Now, thanks to the the movie "Urban Cowboy", even women have tried their skills at riding the bucking machine. The only difference is, women tend to ride the bull in a seductive way like Debra Winger did, not with the macho bravado flare that John Travolta rode on his way to winning the cash and the girl.
So with that introduction, I would like to share with you a short video clip of a woman who should have stayed on the side watching others ride the mechanical bull. Oh yea, one more thing. The woman in the video was embarrassed to say the least, but she was not injured beyond her pride. Also, for those who may take offense to me posting this, because the woman is a bit overweight, I just want to say, GET OVER IT, she did!
Anyway, I found this to be one of the most funny things I have watched all weekend. It should be a great way to end the night, or if you are getting up early on the east coast it will eba good way to start a new day.
This is funnier... watch what the M.C. does to the fat lady up on stage. ;-D
lol- looks like she rolled off like a ball
Whoops... it’ll help my putting in the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZP4Ugev82I&feature=player_embedded
Self-ping.
I don’t think it was funny, because her face did not land in a pie.
Did any other Freepers ever go to Bertand’s Island Amusement Park (at Lake Hopatcong, NJ)? Great memories from the 1950’s to the late 1970’s — I think it closed in the early 1980’s.
Nothing like nickle night on a warm August evening!
Warning for your eyes....
The girl is NOT the one in the screen capture at the top of the thread.
Probably his girlfriend.
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