Graduate Thesis: “A Brief History of Fun”

spring 2018 | professor charlie otte | individual project

From the abstract:

This thesis will investigate the history of Themed Entertainment experiences and analyze their development from design and historical perspectives. From the carefully-curated Picturesque gardens of Western Europe through the electric dreamlands of Coney Island, people have always been drawn to physical artificial dreamscapes. These spaces stimulate the imagination, educate the mind, and invigorate the body. After discussing the evolution of Themed Entertainment, the paper will propose a museum-like experience that will aim to educate people about this history within an amusement park-type setting.