Tilt-A-Whirl

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A Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl in Saskatchewan.jpg
A Tilt-A-Whirl

Tilt-A-Whirl is a flat ride designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals. [1] The ride consists of a number of cars which rotate freely while moving in a circle. As the cars revolve, the floor of the ride undulates so that the cars rise and fall as the ride spins. The offset weight of the riders causes each car to rotate. The riders experience varying levels of g-force from the spinning of the car, and the rotation of the ride itself. It is similar to a Waltzer, which is used in Europe. The rides are manufactured by Larson International of Plainview, Texas.

Contents

Description

The ride consists of seven freely-spinning cars that hold three or four riders each, which are attached at fixed pivot points on a rotating platform. As the platform rotates, parts of the platform are raised and lowered, with the resulting centrifugal and gravitational forces on the revolving cars causing them to spin in different directions and at variable speeds. The weight of passengers in these cars (as well as the weight distribution) may intensify or dampen the spinning motion of the cars, adding to the unpredictable nature known as chaotic motion.

Physicists Bret M. Huggard and Richard L. Kautz came up with a mathematical equation that approximates the motion of the Tilt-A-Whirl. [2]

This ride is similar to the Waltzer ride commonly found at British and Irish fairs.

History

Herbert Sellner invented the Tilt-A-Whirl in 1926 at his Faribault, Minnesota, home. [3] In 1927, the first 14 Tilt-A-Whirls were built in Sellner's basement and yard. Sellner Manufacturing opened its factory in Faribault and the ride debuted at the Minnesota State Fair. [4] More than a thousand rides were eventually built. Some of the rides produced in the 1940s and 1950s are still in operation.

The earliest Tilt-A-Whirls were constructed of wood, powered by gas motors, and featured nine cars. Modern rides are constructed of steel, aluminum and fiberglass, and are powered by seven small electric motors, and has seven cars. [5] [6]

In 1995, Tovah Sellner took over Sellner Manufacturing after the loss of her husband Bruce Sellner; her daughter Erin Sellner joined her in 1998 and the two of them ran the business together. [7]

After economic downturns in the early 2000s, the Tilt-A-Whirl was not selling as well as it used to, despite new colors and innovations, such as the Generation Five Tilt-A-Whirl which included fiberglass cars and an open design. In 2011, after Sellner Manufacturing missed loan payments from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault, the company was purchased by Larson International Inc, which continues to manufacture the Tilt-A-Whirl. [8]

Modern Tilt-A-Whirls

Modern Tilt-A-Whirls cost in excess of US$300,000 to purchase[ citation needed ]. A Tilt-A-Whirl package comes with a choice to employ either the famous domed tipkarts (which were introduced back during the 1930s), or Waltzer-style open squat podkarts having headrest bars (that option was introduced by Sellner Manufacturing in 2003).

The oldest operating Tilt-A-Whirl is a 1927 model, traveling with Tom Evans United Shows in the US Midwest. Between six- and seven hundred Tilt-A-Whirls are in operation.

Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, still has its original Tilt-A-Whirl from 1949.

Installations

NameParkOpenedClosedDetails
Tilt-a-Whirl Adventure Park USA UnknownOpenOpen-topped cars. Cars have desert scenes painted on them. Ride also referred to as Rattlesnake. [9]
Tilt-A-Whirl Adventureland (Iowa)
1974
Open [10]
Tilt-A-WhirlAdventurer's Park (Brooklyn, New York)UnknownOpen [11]
Tilt-A-Whirl Alabama Splash Adventure
2018
Open [12]
Tilt-A-WhirlAll Star Adventures (Wichita, Kansas)UnknownOpen [13]
Tilt-a-WhirlAmusements of America (Showman)UnknownOpen [14]
Tilt-a-Whirl Arnolds Park UnknownOpen [15]
Tilt-a-Whirl Bay Beach Amusement Park
1982
Seasonal [16]
Tilt-a-Whirl Beech Bend Park UnknownOpen [17]
Unknown Bell's Amusement Park
1957
Closed
Tilt-a-WhirlBelle City Amusements (Showman)UnknownOpen [18]
Tilt-a-Whirl Belmont Park UnknownOpenIncludes ice cream-shaped ride vehicles. [19]
Tilt-A-Whirl Bertrand Island Amusement Park UnknownClosed
Tilt-A-WhirlBig Rock Amusements (Showman)UnknownOpen
Tilt-A-Whirl Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin' UnknownOpen
Tilt-A-WhirlBlue Sky Amusements (Showman)UnknownUnknown
Tilt-a-Whirl Boblo Island Amusement Park UnknownClosed
Tilt-a-Whirl Bowcraft Amusement Park UnknownClosed
Tilt-O-World Buckroe Beach Amusement Park UnknownClosed
Unknown Bushkill Park UnknownClosedPurchased by and refurbished by Eldridge Park.
Tilt A WhirlButler Amusements (Showman)UnknownOpen
Tilt-a-Whirl Camden Park UnknownOpen
Tilt-A-WhirlCamp's Amusements (Showman)UnknownOpen [20]
Twist & Shout Canobie Lake Park UnknownOpenRelocated from Palisades Amusement Park. [21]
Tilt-a-Whirl Carousel Gardens Amusement Park UnknownOpenOpen-topped cars. [22]
Tilt-a-Whirl Casino Pier UnknownOpenOpen-topped cars. [23]
Tilt-a-Whirl Castle Park UnknownOpen [24]
Linus' Beetle Bugs Cedar Point
1999
OpenPreviously known as Tilt-a-Whirl. Named after Peanuts character Linus. [25]
Tennessee Twister Dollywood
1993
2004 [26]
Tilt-a-Whirl Elitch Gardens
(Denver, Colorado)		UnknownUnknownSeen in video footage dated 1980. [27]
Tilt-a-Whirl Fun Spot America Theme Parks (Kissimmee)UnknownOpen [28]
Tilt-a-Whirl Fun Spot America Theme Parks (Orlando)UnknownOpenOpen-topped cars. [29]
Tilt-a-WhirlFuntimes Fun Park
2018
OpenOriginally at Geauga Lake. [30]
Tilt-A-Whirl Hersheypark
1983
Open
Turkey Whirl Holiday World & Splashin' Safari UnknownOpenIncludes turkey-shaped ride vehicles. [31]
Tilt-a-Whirl Knoebels Amusement Resort
1991
Open
Tilt-a-Whirl Lagoon Amusement Park
1954
Open
Tilt-a-Whirl Land Of Make Believe UnknownOpen
Tilt-A-WhirlLong Park Park, Geneseo, NY, West Side of Conesus Lake19501990Tilt-A-Whirl Ride was sold at the Long Point Park Auction of the rides by Norton Auctioneers in September 1990. Not sure where the ride went from there as the newspaper's report listed many errors pertaining to the rides new owners.
Shark Frenzy Pacific Park
2017
OpenIncludes shark-shaped ride vehicles.
Tilt-A-Whirl Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester, NYUnknownOpen
HARLEY QUINN Wild Whirl Six Flags Over Georgia
2015
OpenPreviously known as Harley Quinn Spinsanity.
Turtle Twirl Story Land UnknownOpenIncludes turtle-shaped ride vehicles. [32]
Tilt-A-WhirlTilt Studio (Katy Mills Mall, Katy TX)UnknownOpen
Tilt-a-WhirlThomas Amusements (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada)UnknownSeasonal [33]
TilterValleyfair!1976SeasonalPreviously known as Tilt-A-Whirl. Originally installed near the end of High Roller rollercoaster next

to the Giant Tilt Ride. It was moved next to the entrance of Wild Thing rollercoaster in 1996 when that was built.

It was moved again in 2014 underneath the figure 8 portion of Wild Thing with the installation of the

Route 66 area. [34]

Giant Tilt RideValleyfair!1976ClosedThis was the only Super Tilt model of Tilt-A-Whirl ever manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing Company, Inc. It

featured 14 cars in two rows and was strangely placed right next to Valleyfair!'s other Tilt-A-Whirl ride. [35]

Tilt-A-Whirl Waldameer & Water World 1964Open [36]

Incidents and accidents

On September 22, 2018, a Tilt-A-Whirl operated by Thomas Amusements in St. John's, Newfoundland, malfunctioned when two of the cars crashed into each other causing the top of one of the cars to fall off and on to the platform. No serious injuries resulted but some of the passengers suffered minor injuries. [37]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Rides for Amusement Parks, Carnivals, and Fairs – Made in the USA Archived 2006-11-09 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Kautz, R.L., and B.M. Huggard. 1994. Chaos at the amusement park: Dynamics of the Tilt-A-Whirl. American Journal of Physics 62(January):59.
  3. ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (2019). The Amusement Park: 900 Years of Thrills and Spills, and the Dreamers and Schemers Who Built Them. Running Press. ISBN   9780316416474. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  4. ↑ says, Tami Schluter (2018-09-16). "A Spin Through History In The 'Birthplace Of The Tilt-A-Whirl'". Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  5. ↑ McDonough, Doug (2011-01-25). "Larson International acquires Tilt-a-Whirl manufacturer". Plainview Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  6. ↑ "THE TILT-A-WHIRL™ – Larson International". Archived from the original on 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  7. ↑ "Tilt-A-Whirl Factory". American Profile. 2005-05-01. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  8. ↑ Laine, Mary (2019-04-05). "Sellner Manufacturing Company". MNopedia. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  9. ↑ "Outdoor Attractions – Adventure Park USA". Archived from the original on 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  10. ↑ "Adventureland Resort". www.adventurelandresort.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  11. ↑ "Rides & Attractions". Adventurer's Park Family Entertainment Center. Archived from the original on 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  12. ↑ "Park Attractions | Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure". www.alabamasplash.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  13. ↑ "Go-Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, Video and Redemption Games and more! - All Star Adventures". www.allstarwichita.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  14. ↑ "Amusements of America - Carnival & Amusement Rides: Tilt-A-Whirl". www.amusementsofamerica.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  15. ↑ "Tilt-A-Whirl". Arnolds Park. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  16. ↑ "Tilt-a-Whirl". City of Green Bay. Archived from the original on 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  17. ↑ wdd. "Family Rides". Beech Bend Park. Archived from the original on 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  18. ↑ "Our Midway | Belle City Amusements Inc". Archived from the original on 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  19. ↑ "Tilt-A-Whirl". Belmont Park. Archived from the original on 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  20. ↑ www.mwdwebdesign.com, Matt's Web Design-. "Tilt-A-Whirl". Campy's Amusements. Archived from the original on 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  21. ↑ "Twist & Shout | Canobie Lake Park". www.canobie.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  22. ↑ "Rides in Carousel Gardens Amusement Park". New Orleans City Park. Archived from the original on 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  23. ↑ "casino-pier-breakwater-beach-bwb-attractions-tilt-a-whirl". Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  24. ↑ "Castle Park - Rides & Attractions". Castle Park. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  25. ↑ "Linus' Beetle Bugs - Planet Snoopy | Cedar Point". www.cedarpoint.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  26. ↑ "About Dollywood". www.dollywood.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  27. ↑ "Elitch Gardens - 1980 - Super 8 footage". www.YouTube.com. Archived from the original on 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  28. ↑ "Tilt-a-Whirl-TEMPORARILY CLOSED". Fun Spot America. 2015-04-20. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  29. ↑ "Tilt-a-Whirl". Fun Spot America. 2015-04-18. Archived from the original on 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  30. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Tilt-A-Whirl 2018". YouTube .
  31. ↑ "Turkey Whirl". Holiday World. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  32. ↑ "Turtle Twirl". Story Land. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  33. ↑ "ABOUT US - Thomas Amusements | amusement park | rides |family activities | Newfoundland". Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  34. ↑ This information complied from actual park maps, a Sellner Manufacturing Company, Inc. advertising postcard and from working and visiting the park during some of the actual changes.
  35. ↑ This information compiled from actual park maps and a Sellner Manufacturing Company, Inc. advertising post card.
  36. ↑ "Tilt-A-Whirl | Waldameer Park & Water World". waldameer.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  37. ↑ Newfoundland, CBC (2018-09-22). "Minor injuries after Tilt-A-Whirl malfunctions at Thomas Amusements, say police". CBC NL. Archived from the original on 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
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