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Anton Schwarzkopf (8 July 1924 – 30 July 2001) was a German engineer who founded Schwarzkopf Industries GmbH, a German manufacturer of roller coasters and other amusement rides that were sold to amusement parks and travelling funfairs around the world.
Anton Schwarzkopf | |
---|---|
Born | [1] | 8 July 1924
Died | 30 July 2001[1] | (aged 77)
Nationality | German |
Occupation(s) | Founder and president, Schwarzkopf Industries GmbH |
Years active | 1957–1995 |
Known for | roller coaster designer |
Notable work | Revolution, Shockwave, The Mindbender, Olympia Looping, Whizzer, Shuttle Loop |
Early years
editAnton Schwarzkopf, born Bahlingen, Germany, began as an apprentice in his father's business, which focused on the design of specialised trailers used to transport circus equipment.[1] By 1954, his father's company had transitioned into creating amusement rides.[2]
8 July 1924 inCareer
editIn 1957, Schwarzkopf built his first attraction, the Düsenspirale, which was a roller coaster that traveled around Germany with funfair showman Löffelhardt.[1] He took over his father's company in 1960 and created his first full-scale steel roller coaster, The Wildcat, in 1964.[1][2] In 1970, the first Jet Star II model was built for German showman Rick.[2] The model became popular for its electric spiral lift hill, and many of this type were built. In 1976, Schwarzkopf partnered with ride engineer Werner Stengel to create a ground-breaking attraction, the Revolution roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. It was the first roller coaster in the modern era to feature a vertical loop.[2] The vertical loop became a signature element used in many of Schwarzkopf's designs, including King Kobra at Kings Dominion in 1977, one of the first Shuttle Loop designs, and Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas in 1978, which featured consecutive vertical loops.[citation needed]
Schwarzkopf Industries GmbH experienced rapid growth throughout the 1970s, as its rides were well received and in high demand.[citation needed] In the 1980s, the company produced several transportable rides for travelling funfairs, particularly those in Western Europe, with a notable example being the Alpina Bahn in 1983. Dreier Looping (meaning triple loop in English) was built in 1984, and Thriller was built in 1986. Outside of Germany, the company partnered with Intamin, and many older rides credited to Intamin were actually designed and created by Schwarzkopf.[1] Schwarzkopf suffered several business setbacks and suffered through several bankruptcies, with the first occurring in late 1983, leading to the abandonment of several upcoming designs and installations.[1] While dormant during the mid-1980s, Peißenberg and Zierer stepped in to construct several of Schwarzkopf's designs, including Bavarian Mountain Railroad in 1987.[1]
The company continued to produce flat rides and assist with roller coaster design for a number of years, and some popular releases during this time included the Bayern Kurve, the Enterprise, and the Monster.[citation needed] Schwarzkopf retired from the industry in 1995 and died on 30 July 2001 (aged 77) after battling Parkinson's disease for several years.[1]
Legacy
editThere are a number of notable people from the amusement industry who have either worked with, or have relations to Anton Schwarzkopf. His brother, Franz Schwarzkopf, was also a ride designer around the same time as Anton, and designed many staples of both amusement parks and carnivals alike, such as the Wave Swinger. Anton's son Wieland Schwarzkopf also became involved with the industry, starting out at Schwarzkopf, and later starting his own business in 1984. Wieland's company mostly provided parts and services for his father's rides, but had a few of its own attractions, such as the 'Sound Factory', a short-lived version of the popular 'Monster' ride with looping cars. Werner Stengel got his start with the Schwarzkopf company, and later went on to become one of the most prestigious designers of roller coasters and amusement rides. He was still heavily involved with most of Schwarzkopf's attractions. Hubert Gerstlauer, founder and namesake of Gerstlauer Amuesment Rides GmbH, was an employee of Schwarzkopf, before starting his own company in 1982. Gerstlauer's manufacturing is still carried out at the former Schwarzkopf facility in Münsterhausen, Bavaria.[citation needed]
Despite their age and shrinking numbers, Schwarzkopf rides remain popular. New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Whizzer at Six Flags Great America, and Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm have all received the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Coaster Landmark award signifying their importance to the industry.[3]
List of notable roller coasters
editAs of 2019, Schwarzkopf has built 149 roller coasters around the world.[4]
List of other attractions
edit- Giant wheel – a 41.5 metres (136 feet) diameter ferris wheel at Six Flags Great Adventure and Cedar Point.
- Orbit (Enterprise) – Six Flags Great America, formerly the Orleans Orbit upon opening of Marriott's Great America, operated from 1976 to 2016.
- Orbit (Enterprise) – California's Great America.
- Wheelie (Enterprise) – Six Flags Over Georgia, operated from 1977 to 2012, removed to make room for SkyScreamer. Now at Funspot in Orlando.
- Enterprise – Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Bayern Kurve – Kennywood.
- Berserker (Bayern Kurve) – California's Great America.
- Centrifuge (Calypso III) – California's Great America.
- Fiddler's Fling (Calypso III) – Six Flags Great America.
- The Lobster (Monster III) – Six Flags Great America.
- A Shuttle Boat ride (Santa Maria) at Bobbejaanland, defunct.
- Apollo (Apollo 14) – Attractiepark Slagharen, one of two originally built at the park, both were converted to swing rides at some point, and one of the sides ended up at Loudoun Castle.
- El Torito (de Octupus 1973-2016)(Monster II) – Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Sky Tower (Zeppelin II) – ,Attractiepark Slagharren. later converted into an observation tower.
- Monorail – Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Reuzenrad- Attractiepark Slagharren.
- monorail- Bobbejaanland
- Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel 50m) – famous Oktoberfest ferris wheel, owned by showman Willenborg.
The Sound Factory, a portable fair ride created sometime between 1998 and 1999, was retired in the early 2000s with hardly any video or photos of it. It returned sometime between 2017-2018 as The Parkour. The ride was modified with modern seats and no longer flips upsidown, making it not as thrilling or intense. As of September 2024 it is still in operation and can be found at fairs outside of the U.S.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pantenburg, Michael. "Schwarzkopf Coaster Net – Anton Schwarzkopf". Schwarzkopf-Coaster.net. Michael Pantenburg / Metamorph. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Pantenburg, Michael. "Schwarzkopf Coaster Net – The Roller Coasters (catalogue overview)". Schwarzkopf-Coaster.net. Michael Pantenburg / Metamorph. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks - American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)". www.aceonline.org. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Schwarzkopf". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Greased Lightnin' (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Greased Lightnin' (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Düsenspirale (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star (Casino Pier)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Whizzer (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Whizzer (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star 2 (Lagoon)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star 2 (Riverfront Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Alpen Blitz (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Morey's Piers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "New Revolution (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Sooperdooperlooper (Hersheypark)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wild Rider (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Mind Bender (Six Flags Over Georgia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Shock Wave (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Montezooma's Revenege (Knott's Berry Farm)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildcat (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Shuttle Loop (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Nessie Superrollercoaster (Hansa Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Scorpion (Busch Gardens Tampa)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ "Psyké Underground - Walibi Belgium (Wavre, Walloon Brabant, Wallonia, Belgium)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Colossus the Fire Dragon (Lagoon)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tig'rr Coaster (Indiana Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star (Holiday Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Mindbender (Galaxyland Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Silver Bullet (Frontier City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (Jolly Roger Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (State Fair of Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Lisebergbanan (Liseberg)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jetline (Gröna Lund)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Viper (Six Flags AstroWorld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Scream (Six Flags St. Louis)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Golden Loop (Gold Reef City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "White Lightnin' (Carowinds)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Turbo Mountain (Adventure World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Geronimo (Luna Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Cannonball Express (Pleasurewood Hills)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Super Figure Eight (Funland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo 5 (Meli Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon (Great Escape)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Nightmare at Phantom Cave (Six Flags Darien Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Starchaser (Kentucky Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Starchaser (Beech Bend)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Katapul (Hopi Hari)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Thunderlooper (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "King Kobra (Jolly Roger Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "King Kobra (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Montaña Rusa (Parque Del Café)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Zambezi Zinger (Worlds of Fun)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star (Luna Park La Palmyre)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star (Morey's Piers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jet Star (Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tornado (Selvia Mágica)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tornado (La Feria Chapultepec Magico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Glissade (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Knightmare (Camelot Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "BMRX (Kobe Portopialand)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tsunami (Isla San Marcos Parque Temático)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Zonga (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Texas Tornado (Six Flags AstroWorld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Thriller (Gröna Lund)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tornado (Salitre Magico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Space Mountain (Divertido)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "New Beast (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Rocket (Furuvik)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Black Hole (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Chelyuskintsev)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Dreamland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Unknown (Beoland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Malmö Folkets Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Palace Playland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildcat (Jolly Roger Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildcat (Jolly Roger Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Rails (Valleyfair)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wildcat (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Big Blue (Fun Park Mirnovec)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Twist and Shout (Loudoun Castle)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (Dreamland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tower of Terror (Camelot Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (Ocean Beach Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Silberpfeil (OK Corral)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Circuit Bobsleigh (Parc de la Vallée)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Bobsleigh (Nigloland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Jumbo Jet (Drayton Manor)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Looping Star (Parko Paliatso Luna Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Thunder Loop (Attractiepark Slagharen)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Teststrecke (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Laser (Dorney Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Colossus (Playcenter São Paulo)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Super Jet (Diego's Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Montanha Russa (Mirabilandia)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Texas Wildcat (Cotaland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Raptor Attack (Lightwater Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Olympia Looping (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Olympia Looping (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Olympia Looping (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "American Dreier Looping (Indiana Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Michael (24 November 2020). "Indiana Beach adding 2 new rides for 2021". Newsbug. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Mexico rollercoaster crash leaves two dead". www.BBC.co.uk. BBC News – British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 September 2019.
- ^ "Two killed when roller coaster jumps its track in Mexico City". edition.CNN.com. CNN. 29 September 2019.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Quimera (La Feria Chapultepec Magico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Magnum Force (Flamingo Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Triple Loop Coaster (Sunway Lagoon)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Unknown (Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Cascabel 2.0 (La Feria Chapultepec Magico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Laser Loop (Kennywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
External links
edit- Schwarzkopf Coaster Net — independent website
- List of Schwarzkopf-designed roller coasters — at the Roller Coaster DataBase