Tilt-A-Whirl

Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known amusement rides, designed to induce a high-speed dizziness on its riders, and commonly found at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing Co. of Faribault, Minnesota.

The Tilt-A-Whirl is a platform-type ride, consisting of seven freely-spinning cars which are attached at fixed pivot points on a rotating platform. As the platform revolves, parts of the platform are raised and lowered, and the resulting centrifugal and gravitational forces on the cars cause them to randomly spin in different directions and at variable speeds. The weight of passengers in these cars may intensify or dampen the spinning motion of the cars, adding to the random nature of the motion.

History

Herbert Sellner, a woodworker and maker of water slides, invented the Tilt-A-Whirl in 1926, at his Faribault, Minnesota, home. Over the next year, the first 14 Tilt-A-Whirls were built in Herbert's basement and yard. In 1927, Sellner Manufacturing opened its factory in Faribault, and the ride debuted that year at the Minnesota State Fair.

The earliest Tilt-A-Whirls were constructed of wood, powered by a gas motor, and featured nine cars. Today, the ride is constructed of steel, aluminum and fiberglass, is powered by an electric motor, and features seven cars.

Tilt-A-Whirls today

Since 1927, Sellner Manufacturing has produced more than 1000 Tilt-A-Whirls. More than 600 are are operation today around the world, and some from the 1940s and 1950s are still in operation today.

The rides are designed and built at the Faribault factory. Before the ride leaves the factory, each Tilt-A-Whirl is tested with sacks of salt sitting in the cars to simulate riders.

A new Tilt-A-Whirl costs approximately USD $250,000 to purchase.

Sources

• "Tilt-A-Whirl: Sellner Celebrates 75 Years of Fun," Sellner Manufacturing Company
• "It's been a tilting, whirling ride for 75 years," Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1-SEP-2001

External link

• Sellner Manufacturing Co.