# How the First Modern Water Slide Was Designed

> A 1960 patent for a water-based amusement structure featuring a sloped surface and a water supply system to create a sliding experience.

- **Patent:** US 2982547
- **Original title:** Aquatic play equipment
- **Owner:** Individual
- **Granted:** 1961
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 41
- **Field:** mechanical, consumer_electronics

## What it does

This patent describes a structure designed for aquatic recreation, specifically a slide that uses a continuous flow of water to reduce friction for a person sliding down. The design includes a ramp or chute surface with a water distribution system at the top that ensures the entire sliding path remains lubricated. By maintaining a thin film of water, the device allows a user to glide from an elevated position into a pool or landing area at the bottom.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover dry slides that rely on rollers or friction-reducing materials instead of water.
- Does not cover closed-tube or enclosed tunnel slide designs.
- Does not cover complex multi-loop or high-speed thrill ride engineering.

## The clever bit

The invention cleverly recognized that water could serve as both a lubricant to increase speed and a safety mechanism to prevent friction burns during the descent.

## Real-world examples

1. Public swimming pool slides
2. Early backyard water slides
3. Basic amusement park water chutes

## Why it matters

This patent represents an early formalization of the water slide as a commercial amusement device. It laid the groundwork for the modern water park industry by defining the basic mechanical interaction between a human body, a sloped surface, and a fluid lubricant.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How the First Modern Water Slide Was Designed cover?

A 1960 patent for a water-based amusement structure featuring a sloped surface and a water supply system to create a sliding experience.

### Who owns patent US 2982547?

Individual owns this patent, granted in 1961.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 2982547 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 41 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent represents an early formalization of the water slide as a commercial amusement device. It laid the groundwork for the modern water park industry by defining the basic mechanical interaction between a human body, a sloped surface, and a fluid lubricant.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover dry slides that rely on rollers or friction-reducing materials instead of water.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2982547/slip-n-slide-carrier

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US2982547

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus:

- [How the Modern Waterbed Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3585356/waterbed-liquid-support) — A 1971 patent describing a liquid-filled, heated furniture support designed to cradle human bodies without letting them touch the bottom of the container.
- [How the Snurfer Invented Modern Snowboarding](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3378274/snowboard-snurfer-poppen) — A 1966 patent for a single-board snow vehicle that allowed riders to stand sideways and steer using a rope, effectively creating the sport of snowboarding.
- [How the Hula Hoop Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3079728/hula-hoop-wham-o) — A 1963 patent for a lightweight, rigid plastic hoop designed to rotate around a human waist through rhythmic body movements.
- [How A.C. Gilbert Designed Early Interlocking Toy Construction Blocks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1066809/erector-set-gilbert) — A 1913 patent by A.C. Gilbert for a system of toy building blocks designed to snap together to create structures.
- [How the Modern LEGO Brick Design Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3005282/lego-toy-brick) — The 1958 patent that defined the iconic LEGO brick with hollow tubes inside, allowing bricks to lock together firmly.