Yay! The picture is exactly what we had in Phoenix in the 70’s/early 80’s.
The picture also matches what I was remembering.
We had them at Macy Park in Ardsley, NY throughtout the 70s-80s. They took them down when they remodeled. I wish I could find one- what are they called? they were awesome…pinchy, but awesome.
We had these at Camden Elementary School in Camden, SC when I attended from 1960 to 1966, everyone called them pump swings, they were exactly like the one in the photograph with the female looking over her shoulder. Pump swings were absolutely the best things ever. As one of the previous posters stated, they were a little difficult to get moving, but once you learned how to pull the swing forward then push it backwards using the two vertical handles - earth knew no bounds! A person with a little strength could literally get 180 degrees of rotation between the uppermost front arc to the furthermost arc of the backswing. Depending on the day of the week, I was a fighter pilot, a bird, a meteor, or a sky diver. Ultimately, I was an astronaut, the first ever to land on the moon, and I did so a full eight years earlier than Neil Armstrong! For some reason however, my teachers never recognized me for such a feat, it seemed that to them, I was just another lazy kid who couldn’t add or spell.
Funny thing, in 1996 I happened upon a city park in Summerville, SC and there in its unpainted gray ironed glory was a set! I piled out of my truck and with haste made my way over to one of the swings. 200 lbs. heavier or not, the whole push pull thing quickly resurrected itself from muscle memory and within seconds I was flying again, this time on the way to …the first grade! What a trip back in time that was!
Anyway, I too would like to find a set, they are indeed safe; almost impossible to fall out of, very difficult to bang your head on as long as you hold on the vertical bars, and pinch points were never something I discovered. The only worry at all is just that intense heat encountered when reentering the atmosphere…
How bizarre. Just last week I went to a park with the grandkids and came across such a swing…and I’d never seen one before that!
Bloody uncomfortable contraption it was too. Remind me never to park my getting-elderly arse in a swing again please?
These swings were invented in Corry PA. Still many in use in the local park - Mead Park. Got on one today and have introduced my kids to them. Still fun after all these years.
For the record: This zombie has been revived 5 times, and each time by a necromancer who posted once and was never heard from again.