The Whip

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The Whip
Type Track Ride
Park Section North
Built 1918
Opened 1918
Closed 1937 (park closure)
Designer William F. Mangels
Materials Steel, Iron
Vehicle Type Cars
Inversions 0

The Whip was a steel ride at Olentangy Park from 1918[1] until the park's closure in 1937.[2] It was designed by William F. Mangels,[3] who also designed the Grand Carousel.

More than 1,700 parkgoers rode the ride on the park's opening day in 1918.[4]

The ride was moved to just south of the Over-the-Top roller coaster and east of the Swimming Pool in 1922.[5][2][6]

Description

According to a 1921 "The Whip" manual by W. F. Mangels Co.,[7] the "stationary" version of the ride had:

  • upholstered, decorated, and painted cars, each with a waterproof cover
  • friction wheels, mounted on ball bearings
  • 16-inch steel wheels
  • a steel cable
  • iron cable guides
  • a drive with a steel frame, shaft, journal boxes, steel pinion, and 36-inch friction clutch pulley and lever

In 1921, a new kit to make a stationary "The Whip" ride was $4,700$82,868 in 2025 dollars.[7] Since the ride was not owned by the park company in 1924,[6] it was likely bought on a cash payment plan for $4,850$85,513 in 2025 dollars.[7]

  • Amusement apparatus. (Feb. 16, 1915) U.S. Patent No. 1,128,890 PDF[8]

References

  1. "Lavish Park Plans." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. Sept. 23, 1917. Page 56.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Franklin Survey Co. 1937. Map. City of Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, Vol. 1. Accessed through Ebay.com https://www.ebay.com/itm/235251834706
  3. "Whip." The Flat Joint. Accessed May 23, 2025. http://www.flatrides.com/rides/whip.html
  4. "After Week's Improvement." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 7, 1918. Page 6.
  5. "Park Opens Today." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch. April 16, 1922. Page 68.
  6. 6.0 6.1 General Map, The Olentangy Amusement Company, Columbus, Ohio. 1924.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 W. F. Mangels Company. "'The Whip' Latest Sensational Amusement Ride." Oct. 1, 1921.
  8. Mangels, W. F. 1915. "Amusement apparatus." U.S. Patent No. 1,128,890. Accessed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PDF