 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(December 2025) |
The Whip was a ride originally designed and built by W.F. Mangels Company of Coney Island, New York, United States. [1] William F. Mangels patented the ride in 1914 and it soon became extremely popular.
The Whip spread to other countries, such as England, during the 1930s. The English poet John Betjeman described St Giles' Fair in Oxford as follows:
It is about the biggest fair in England. The whole of St Giles' … is thick with freak shows, roundabouts, cake-walks, the whip, and the witching waves.
— Alison Petch [2]
The ride consists of two circular wheel-like turn-table platforms on opposing sides of a rectangular base. Motors turn a cable that leads a number of attached two or three-person cars around a laminated wooden track. The ride follows the track while the cable turns. When the car reaches one of the turn-table platforms, the speed picks up, forcing riders to one side as the car whips around the corner. Models of the ride with eight, ten, or 12 cars were available. At least two 16-car models exist, one operating at Kennywood and the other at Knoebels Amusement Resort. A children's version of the ride was also available. The Whip is commonly found at older, historic parks.
The normal minimum rider height requirement is 46 inches tall unless with an adult at most parks.
A modern version of The Whip is currently offered by Sellner Manufacturing.[ citation needed ] Throughout urban areas in the United States, mobile The Whip rides were once prevalent on the streets of many cities.[ citation needed ] Mobile The Whip rides still exist in the New York City area and can be rented out for block parties, street fairs, and birthday parties.[ citation needed ]
