Loop-the-Loop
| Type | Roller Coaster Track ride |
|---|---|
| Park Section | Northeast |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Closed | Unknown |
| Designer | Lena Beecher |
| Materials | Steel, Wood |
| Vehicle Type | Car |
| Number of Vehicles | 1 |
| Riders per Vehicle | 4 |
| Inversions | 1 |
The Loop-the-Loop, was a looping steel[1] roller coaster installed at Olentangy Park in 1908.[2] Designed by inventor Lena Beecher[1] in 1904, up to four riders would ride on a single track down a slope fast enough to do a single inversion (upside-down loop).[1] It was one of the first operating looping coasters in North America and its teardrop shape was adapted from a shape pioneered by Edwin Prescott. The shape helped lower the excessive g-forces it put on its riders in comparison to past versions like the Flip Flap Railway, but the ride still caused many neck injuries and repeat riders were rare.[3] The ride remained in operation until at least 1913.
It was built near the Circle Swing and the Dancing Pavilion.[4]
This steel ride was built after a few successful similarly named Loop-the-Loop bicycle stunts done by Diavolo (played by either Conn Baker or G.F. Matthiessen) and Leaping-the-Gap.[5] After its run, the term "Loop-the-Loop" often referred to doing loops with airplanes or in motor vehicle stunts.
Injuries
The ride caused many neck and back injuries. In July 1908, when the ride was new, Luther Liggett rode the Loop-the-Loop during a Methodist picnic and suffered neck injuries that lead to over a week of a swollen neck with fears of a serious injury.[2][6] Dewey Oberlin, 10, described the ride as "the neck-breaker" in 1913.[7]
Gallery
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Vintage postcard (c. 1908-1910) showing the Loop-the-Loop. -
Vintage postcard (c. 1908-1910) showing the Loop-the-Loop.[8] -
Vintage postcard (c. 1908-1913) showing the Circle Swing and the Loop-the-Loop at Olentangy Park. -
Panoramic photo (c. 1908-1910) of the Circle Swing and Loop-the-Loop.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Loop the Loop." Roller Coaster Database. https://rcdb.com/3159.htm Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Neck was Injured." The Union County Journal (Marysville, OH). 23 July 1908. Pg. 2. Retrieved from Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80090314/neck-was-injured-on-loop-the-loop-in/
- ↑ Francis, David W.; Francis, Diane DeMali (2003). The Golden Age of Roller Coasters. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738523380.
- ↑ Francis, David W.; Francis, Diane DeMali (2002). Ohio's Amusement Parks in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738519979.
- ↑ "How bicycle daredevil Diavolo looped the loop back in the early 1900s." Click America. https://clickamericana.com/topics/culture-and-lifestyle/entertainment-culture-and-lifestyle/bicycle-daredevil-diavolo-loops-the-loops-1902-1905
- ↑ Barrett, Richard E. (2002). Columbus Ohio 1898-1950 in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738519626.
- ↑ Oberlin, Dewey. "Dewey Oberlin Aged Ten Tells of Seeing State Fair." The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH). 8 September 1913. Pg. 14. Retrieved from Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80089842/dewey-oberlin-calls-the-loop-the-loop/
- ↑ Barrett, Richard E. (2002). Columbus Ohio 1898-1950 in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738519626.