Harry G. Traver: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
Updated links |
||
(6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Harry G. Traver|Harry Guy Traver]] (1877-1961)<ref name="smithsonian">Oswald, Alison. 2019. "A Swinging Amusement." ''Smithsonian National Museum of American History | [[Harry G. Traver|Harry Guy Traver]] (1877-1961)<ref name="smithsonian">Oswald, Alison. 2019. [https://invention.si.edu/swinging-amusement "A Swinging Amusement."] ''Smithsonian National Museum of American History.'' Sept. 20, 2019. Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.</ref> invented the [[Circle Swing]], later rebranded as [[Airplanes]], and the [[Tumble Bug]]<ref>Traver, H. G. 1929. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZTXy6Vfw7krOIH7ScRi7Hu9uIvwuwp8/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> at Olentangy Park.<ref name="ultimate">[https://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/designer/traver.shtml "Harry G. Traver."] ''UltimateRollerCoaster.com.'' Page created on Sept. 20, 2001. Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-the-shop-that-ma/152907642/ "The Shop That Manufacturers Thrills."] ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.'' Aug. 30, 1928. Page 8. Accessed through Newspapers.com.</ref> | ||
Born in Gardner, Illinois, on Nov. 25, 1877,<ref>[https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Harry_G._Traver "Harry G. Traver."] ''Coasterpedia.'' Created Oct. 7, 2019. Last updated Jan. 6, 2025. Accessed May 25, 2025.</ref> he was inspired to create the Circle Swing by seagulls circling a mast of a ship he was lying on.<ref name="times">Snedden, Jeffery. [https://www.timesonline.com/story/lifestyle/around-town/2016/05/24/harry-traver-took-beaver-county/18574055007/ "Harry Traver took Beaver County on thrilling roller coaster ride."] ''The Beaver County Times (Beaver County, Pennsylvania).'' May 24, 2016. Accessed on Aug. 8, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://lagoonhistory.com/project/attractions/the-rockets/ "Captive Aeroplanes/Rockets."] ''The Lagoon History Project,'' Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.</ref><ref name="ultimate" /> Similar to an earlier version of the ride created by Charles Braaf and a carousel maker, Traver's version was faster and first installed at Chutes Park in Los Angeles in 1902.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leavenworth-times-new-thrill-for-vis/152821022/ "New Thrill For Visitors to Coney."] ''The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas).'' March 14, 1903. Page 7. Accessed through Newspapers.com.</ref> The ride was "to provide the occupants with the pleasurable sensation of the ordinary roundabout with increased speed and gradual rise from and return to the ground."<ref name="patent1">Traver, H. G. 1904. "Amusement apparatus." U.S. Patent No. 758,341. Accessed through [https://patents.google.com/patent/US758341 Google Patents] and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WObAfTl9Ru5rtY2y8HYBe9Vb8RXTRrcK/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> The vehicles on the rides were either boats, airships, baskets, cars, or birds. | |||
He started the [[Traver Circle Swing Company]] with Richard Garvey and George E. Griffiths in New York<ref name="heinz">Przybylek, Leslie. 2017. "Manufacturing Thrills: The Legacy of Western Pennsylvania's Roller Coaster Pioneers." ''Heinz History Center Blog | He started the [[Traver Circle Swing Company]] with Richard Garvey and George E. Griffiths in New York<ref name="heinz">Przybylek, Leslie. 2017. "Manufacturing Thrills: The Legacy of Western Pennsylvania's Roller Coaster Pioneers." ''Heinz History Center Blog.'' Sept. 19, 2017. Accessed on Aug. 12, 2024.</ref> in 1903 with {{Tooltip |text = $100,000|tooltip = $3.63 million in 2025 dollars}} initial capital to make and sell amusement devices.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-state-capitol-news/152822990/ "State Capitol News."] ''Times Union (Brooklyn, New York).'' Nov. 3, 1903. Page 7. Accessed through Newspapers.com.</ref> The ride gained popularity after patenting it in 1904.<ref name="times" /><ref name="smithsonian" /> The company later relocated to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.<ref name="heinz" /><ref name="bcpahistory">Walton, Denver. 1992. [https://www.bcpahistory.org/beavercounty/BeaverCountyTopical/CelebrationsandHolidays/AmuementRides/AmusementRidesMSU92.html "Amusement Rides."] ''Milestones.'' Summer 1992. Vol. 17. Page 2. Reprinted at ''Beaver County History Online'' Accessed on Aug. 14, 2024. The name is misspelled as "Travers."</ref><ref name="lbhs">New Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. [https://littlebeaverhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Beaver-Falls-Area-Centennial-Historical-Salute-to-the-Centuries_1868-1968_26MB.pdf "Travers."] ''Beaver Falls Area Centennial: Historical Salute to the Centuries 1868-1968,'' June 22, 1968. Page 48. Available | ||
through [https://littlebeaverhistorical.org/ Little Beaver Historical Society] | through [https://littlebeaverhistorical.org/ Little Beaver Historical Society]. The name is misspelled as "Travers."</ref> In 1919, he grew the company by partnering with [[J. W. Zarro]] and later, buying out his factory for {{Tooltip |text = $140,000|tooltip = over $5 million in 2025 dollars}}. He expanded the factory and created [[Traver Engineering Company]]. By 1924, the company was the largest producer of amusement rides. In 1922, he patented the "Collapsible Passenger Carrying Car for Aeroplane Swings,"<ref>Traver, H. G. 1922. "Collapsible passenger carrying car for aeroplane swings." U.S. Patent No. 1,436,371 Accessed through [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1436371 Google Patents] and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WTXMWQIsyxRFppFgsrF2OBKY0u7Aib1a/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> which were added to the Circle Swing to create the [[Airplanes]] ride. Traver sold the company in 1932 to Ralph E. Chambers after suffering losses due to the Great Recession. Chambers operated it until 1962.<ref name="ultimate" /><ref name="times" /><ref name="bcpahistory" /><ref name="lbhs" /> | ||
== Related Patents == | == Related Patents == | ||
* Amusement apparatus. (April 26, 1904) U.S. Patent No. 758,341 https://patents.google.com/patent/US758341 | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WObAfTl9Ru5rtY2y8HYBe9Vb8RXTRrcK/view?usp=sharing PDF] | * Amusement apparatus. (April 26, 1904) U.S. Patent No. 758,341 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US758341 Google Patents] | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WObAfTl9Ru5rtY2y8HYBe9Vb8RXTRrcK/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Car for swings. (May 30, 1905) U.S. Patent No. 790,989 https://patents.google.com/patent/US790989A | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WHkH_-u0qxC1sh9uB4bSyGBveSdM1tEE/view?usp=sharing PDF] | * Car for swings. (May 30, 1905) U.S. Patent No. 790,989 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US790989A Google Patents] | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WHkH_-u0qxC1sh9uB4bSyGBveSdM1tEE/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Circle-swing. ( | * Circle-swing. (Sept. 11, 1906) U.S. Patent No. 830,687 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US830687A Google Patents] [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WO6lStAJSnBo3_6wyHWEoBVsyKoMI5Q9/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Roundabout. ( | * Roundabout. (Sept. 11, 1906) U.S. Patent No. 830,688 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US830688A Google Patents] | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WJaDlcT4oN-WoQhhAHdNBklLuqRJQSBC/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Collapsible passenger carrying car for aeroplane swings. ( | * Collapsible passenger carrying car for aeroplane swings. (Nov. 21, 1922) U.S. Patent No. 1,436,371 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1436371 Google Patents] | [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WTXMWQIsyxRFppFgsrF2OBKY0u7Aib1a/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Amusement device. ( | * Amusement device. (Oct. 28, 1924) U.S. Patent No. 1,512,957 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WXnHaqGISd5ebP1TF3PlFEEXPv_Z1y06/view?usp=sharing PDF] | ||
* Amusement ride. ( | * Amusement ride. (Oct. 22, 1929) U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZTXy6Vfw7krOIH7ScRi7Hu9uIvwuwp8/view?usp=sharing PDF]<ref>Traver, H. G. 1929. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZTXy6Vfw7krOIH7ScRi7Hu9uIvwuwp8/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> | ||
* Amusement ride. (June 24, 1930) U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_5L7_bEOC8LInzjy3s1UosZq_FpF_2x/view?usp=sharing PDF]<ref>Traver, H. G. 1930. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_5L7_bEOC8LInzjy3s1UosZq_FpF_2x/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> | * Amusement ride. (June 24, 1930) U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_5L7_bEOC8LInzjy3s1UosZq_FpF_2x/view?usp=sharing PDF]<ref>Traver, H. G. 1930. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_5L7_bEOC8LInzjy3s1UosZq_FpF_2x/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> | ||
* Amusement ride. ( | * Amusement ride. (Oct. 13, 1931) U.S. Patent No. 1,827,303 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wcpt7N3Eh6zewBL_sAwFd_pp1be4pwX9/view?usp=sharing PDF]<ref>Traver, H. G. 1931. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,827,303. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wcpt7N3Eh6zewBL_sAwFd_pp1be4pwX9/view?usp=sharing PDF]</ref> | ||
== Rides == | == Rides == | ||
Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<References /> | <References /> | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Traver, Harry G.}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Traver, Harry G.}} | ||
{{#seo:|description=Harry Guy Traver created the Olentangy Park rides the Circle Swing, Tumble Bug, and the Whirlwind racer. He operated the Traver Circle Swing Co. and Traver Engineering Co.}} | {{#seo:|description=Harry Guy Traver created the Olentangy Park rides the Circle Swing, Tumble Bug, and the Whirlwind racer. He operated the Traver Circle Swing Co. and Traver Engineering Co.}} | ||
{{#seo:|keywords=Harry Guy Traver, Harry G. Traver, Traver, Traver Circle Swing, Traver Circle Swing Company, Traver Engineering, Travel Engineering Company, Travers, Travers Engineering, Circle Swing, Aeroplanes, Airplanes, Tumble Bug, Whirlwind, Whirlwind Racer, roller coaster, Columbus, Harry G. Traver, Traver, Harry Traver, Olentangy Park, Olentangy Amusement Park, Olentangy Park Columbus, Columbus amusement park, amusement park, Clintonville, defunct amusement park}} | {{#seo:|keywords=Harry Guy Traver, Harry G. Traver, Traver, Traver Circle Swing, Traver Circle Swing Company, Traver Engineering, Travel Engineering Company, Travers, Travers Engineering, Circle Swing, Aeroplanes, Airplanes, Tumble Bug, Whirlwind, Whirlwind Racer, roller coaster, Columbus, Harry G. Traver, Traver, Harry Traver, Olentangy Park, Olentangy Amusement Park, Olentangy Park Columbus, Columbus amusement park, amusement park, Clintonville, defunct amusement park}} | ||
{{Rides}} | |||
[[Category:Designers]] |
Latest revision as of 00:33, 5 October 2025
Harry Guy Traver (1877-1961)[1] invented the Circle Swing, later rebranded as Airplanes, and the Tumble Bug[2] at Olentangy Park.[3][4]
Born in Gardner, Illinois, on Nov. 25, 1877,[5] he was inspired to create the Circle Swing by seagulls circling a mast of a ship he was lying on.[6][7][3] Similar to an earlier version of the ride created by Charles Braaf and a carousel maker, Traver's version was faster and first installed at Chutes Park in Los Angeles in 1902.[8] The ride was "to provide the occupants with the pleasurable sensation of the ordinary roundabout with increased speed and gradual rise from and return to the ground."[9] The vehicles on the rides were either boats, airships, baskets, cars, or birds.
He started the Traver Circle Swing Company with Richard Garvey and George E. Griffiths in New York[10] in 1903 with $100,000$3.63 million in 2025 dollars initial capital to make and sell amusement devices.[11] The ride gained popularity after patenting it in 1904.[6][1] The company later relocated to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.[10][12][13] In 1919, he grew the company by partnering with J. W. Zarro and later, buying out his factory for $140,000over $5 million in 2025 dollars. He expanded the factory and created Traver Engineering Company. By 1924, the company was the largest producer of amusement rides. In 1922, he patented the "Collapsible Passenger Carrying Car for Aeroplane Swings,"[14] which were added to the Circle Swing to create the Airplanes ride. Traver sold the company in 1932 to Ralph E. Chambers after suffering losses due to the Great Recession. Chambers operated it until 1962.[3][6][12][13]
Related Patents
- Amusement apparatus. (April 26, 1904) U.S. Patent No. 758,341 Google Patents | PDF
- Car for swings. (May 30, 1905) U.S. Patent No. 790,989 Google Patents | PDF
- Circle-swing. (Sept. 11, 1906) U.S. Patent No. 830,687 Google Patents PDF
- Roundabout. (Sept. 11, 1906) U.S. Patent No. 830,688 Google Patents | PDF
- Collapsible passenger carrying car for aeroplane swings. (Nov. 21, 1922) U.S. Patent No. 1,436,371 Google Patents | PDF
- Amusement device. (Oct. 28, 1924) U.S. Patent No. 1,512,957 PDF
- Amusement ride. (Oct. 22, 1929) U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248 PDF[15]
- Amusement ride. (June 24, 1930) U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626 PDF[16]
- Amusement ride. (Oct. 13, 1931) U.S. Patent No. 1,827,303 PDF[17]
Rides
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Oswald, Alison. 2019. "A Swinging Amusement." Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Sept. 20, 2019. Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1929. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Harry G. Traver." UltimateRollerCoaster.com. Page created on Sept. 20, 2001. Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.
- ↑ "The Shop That Manufacturers Thrills." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Aug. 30, 1928. Page 8. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Harry G. Traver." Coasterpedia. Created Oct. 7, 2019. Last updated Jan. 6, 2025. Accessed May 25, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Snedden, Jeffery. "Harry Traver took Beaver County on thrilling roller coaster ride." The Beaver County Times (Beaver County, Pennsylvania). May 24, 2016. Accessed on Aug. 8, 2024.
- ↑ "Captive Aeroplanes/Rockets." The Lagoon History Project, Accessed on Aug. 5, 2024.
- ↑ "New Thrill For Visitors to Coney." The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas). March 14, 1903. Page 7. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1904. "Amusement apparatus." U.S. Patent No. 758,341. Accessed through Google Patents and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Przybylek, Leslie. 2017. "Manufacturing Thrills: The Legacy of Western Pennsylvania's Roller Coaster Pioneers." Heinz History Center Blog. Sept. 19, 2017. Accessed on Aug. 12, 2024.
- ↑ "State Capitol News." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York). Nov. 3, 1903. Page 7. Accessed through Newspapers.com.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Walton, Denver. 1992. "Amusement Rides." Milestones. Summer 1992. Vol. 17. Page 2. Reprinted at Beaver County History Online Accessed on Aug. 14, 2024. The name is misspelled as "Travers."
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 New Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. "Travers." Beaver Falls Area Centennial: Historical Salute to the Centuries 1868-1968, June 22, 1968. Page 48. Available through Little Beaver Historical Society. The name is misspelled as "Travers."
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1922. "Collapsible passenger carrying car for aeroplane swings." U.S. Patent No. 1,436,371 Accessed through Google Patents and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1929. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,732,248. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1930. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,767,626. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF
- ↑ Traver, H. G. 1931. "Amusement ride." U.S. Patent No. 1,827,303. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF