If you've ever wanted to recreate the excitement and thrill of a fender bender, this is your ride! Bumper cars (or dodgem cars), which were introduced in the 1920s, feature a large ring or pen with a graphite floor designed to decrease friction. Riders climb into miniature electric cars that draw power from an overhead grid and proceed to slam into the other cars in the pen. Wide rubber bumpers keep things safe -- as safe as you can get with no brakes! Still, bumper cars are so popular you ll find them in just about every theme park, county fair, or carnival you visit -- just follow the crashing noises and laughter.