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The Rotor is an amusement park ride, designed by German engineer Ernst Hoffmeister in the late 1940s. The ride was first demonstrated at Oktoberfest 1949, and was exhibited at fairs and events throughout Europe during the 1950s and 1960s.
Design and operation
The Rotor is a large, upright barrel, rotated at 30 revolutions per minute. The rotation of the barrel creates a centrifugal force equevilant to between 1 and 1.5 g. Once the barrel has reached full speed, the floor is retracted, leaving the riders stuck to the wall of the drum. At the end of the ride cycle, the drum slows down and gravity takes over. The riders slide down the wall slowly. Most Rotors were constructed with an observation deck.
All American Rotors were forced to be modified after an accident on Cajun Cliffhanger, which was a historic Rotor at Six Flags Great America. The floor was redesigned with a small plastic guard to prevent feet and toes from being wedged under the floor. A major accident on Cajun Cliffhanger prompted the small modification.
Appearances
- Australia - Three Rotors were built in Australia based on Hoffmeister's design. All had been demolished or destroyed by the 1980s, although a slightly redesigned Rotor was rebuilt for Luna Park Sydney in 1995, which is still in operation.
- United States - Several Rotors were constructed in the United States since the 1960s. Most, if not all of these, have since been demolished and replaced by other rides.There is a Rotor at The Great Escape Park in the Adirondaks at Lake George, NY
References
- Historical information boards located at Luna Park Sydney
Links
"Rotor (ride)"