The Whip (ride)
Encyclopedia
The Whip was a ride originally designed and built by W.F. Mangels Company of Coney Island
, New York, USA. William F. Mangels
patented the ride in 1914 and it soon became an extremely popular ride.
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 2/3 person seater cars that are attached, 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 on side as the car whips around the corner. Whips with 8, 10, or 12 cars were available. At least two 16-car models exist, one operating at Kennywood
and the other in storage at Knoebels
. The Whip is commonly found at older, historic parks.
A children's version was also built that looked exactly like the full size version. A children's roto-whip was also produced and is in a circular motion that whips the cars as it goes around. The children's roto-whips are ironically more common today than the full-scale versions.
The Whip's name could lead many to believe it is an aggressive thrill ride. But most are actually very tame. The normal minimum rider height requirement is 46 inches tall unless with an adult at most parks, even though most whips are rarely aggressive rides. The version at Knoebel's has non-lockable restraints, and riders can easily get out during the ride's rotation, which may add reason to these restrictions.
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:
in Allentown, Pennsylvania
and Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
. Both were manufactured in 1918. The Whip at Playland (New York)
in Rye, NY was made in 1928, and is one of the park's oldest rides. Another installation of a classic Whip is at Knoebels Grove in Elysburg, PA. This whip, called the "Whipper" was originally installed at a park in Hunlock Creek, PA called Croops Glen moved to Knoebels in the 1940s after that park closed. These rides have become increasingly rare. There are a small handful located in the North-Eastern United States. There is still an original "The Whip" in Camden Park Huntington, West Virginia, as well as "The Whip Jr."
A modern version Whip is currently manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing
, which also makes a modern version of the famed Tilt-a-Whirl ride. An example of one of these is at Hersheypark
in Hershey, PA. The modern version is a bit aggressive compared to the older versions, adding to the thrill of the ride.
Throughout urban areas Mobile Whip Rides were once prevalant on the steets of many cities. These are considered truck mounted portable amusement devices. Mobile Whip Rides such as this still exist in the NYC area and are often rented out for block parties, street fairs and birthday parties. www.whipride.com
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
, New York, USA. William F. Mangels
William F. Mangels
William F. Mangels , amusement manufacturer and inventor, worked at Coney Island and was a major player in the development of American amusement parks at the turn of the twentieth century...
patented the ride in 1914 and it soon became an extremely popular ride.
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 2/3 person seater cars that are attached, 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 on side as the car whips around the corner. Whips with 8, 10, or 12 cars were available. At least two 16-car models exist, one operating at Kennywood
Kennywood
Kennywood is an amusement park located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The park first opened in 1898 as a "trolley park" at the end of the Monongahela Street Railway. The park was purchased in 1906 by F. W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan and thus began the Kennywood...
and the other in storage at Knoebels
Knoebels
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and -operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, the park has more than 57 rides, free admission, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that was featured on the...
. The Whip is commonly found at older, historic parks.
A children's version was also built that looked exactly like the full size version. A children's roto-whip was also produced and is in a circular motion that whips the cars as it goes around. The children's roto-whips are ironically more common today than the full-scale versions.
The Whip's name could lead many to believe it is an aggressive thrill ride. But most are actually very tame. The normal minimum rider height requirement is 46 inches tall unless with an adult at most parks, even though most whips are rarely aggressive rides. The version at Knoebel's has non-lockable restraints, and riders can easily get out during the ride's rotation, which may add reason to these restrictions.
The Whip spread to other countries such as England. During the 1930s, the English poet John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
described St Giles' Fair
St Giles' Fair
St Giles' Fair is an annual fair held in St Giles', a wide thoroughfare in central north Oxford, England.It is unusual for an English fair, being held in a major street of a city and blocking traffic for its two-day duration in September each year.The fair is organised by the Oxford City Council...
in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
as follows:
Today
One of the oldest Whips operating today are at Dorney Park & Wildwater KingdomDorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is an American amusement and water park located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The park features nine roller coasters, other adult and children's rides, and a waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom....
in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
and Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
West Mifflin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, located southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The population was 20,313 at the 2010 census....
. Both were manufactured in 1918. The Whip at Playland (New York)
Playland (New York)
Playland, often called Rye Playland and also known as Playland Amusement Park, is an amusement park located in Rye, New York. Run by Westchester County, it is the only government owned-and-operated amusement park in the United States.-History:...
in Rye, NY was made in 1928, and is one of the park's oldest rides. Another installation of a classic Whip is at Knoebels Grove in Elysburg, PA. This whip, called the "Whipper" was originally installed at a park in Hunlock Creek, PA called Croops Glen moved to Knoebels in the 1940s after that park closed. These rides have become increasingly rare. There are a small handful located in the North-Eastern United States. There is still an original "The Whip" in Camden Park Huntington, West Virginia, as well as "The Whip Jr."
A modern version Whip is currently manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing
Sellner Manufacturing
Sellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
, which also makes a modern version of the famed Tilt-a-Whirl ride. An example of one of these is at Hersheypark
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
in Hershey, PA. The modern version is a bit aggressive compared to the older versions, adding to the thrill of the ride.
Throughout urban areas Mobile Whip Rides were once prevalant on the steets of many cities. These are considered truck mounted portable amusement devices. Mobile Whip Rides such as this still exist in the NYC area and are often rented out for block parties, street fairs and birthday parties. www.whipride.com