Anton Schwarzkopf
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Anton Schwarzkopf (1924-2001) was a prolific German roller coaster engineer and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous amusement park rides and roller coasters.
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[edit] Biography
Anton Schwarzkopf was introduced into the industry with his father's involvement with the design of specialized trailers used to transport circus equipment. The company eventually transitioned into creating amusement rides. In 1960, Schwarzkopf took over his father's company leading to the creation of his first actual roller coaster, The Wildcat, in 1964.
Schwarzkopf Industries grew rapidly with the vast support of various customers praising the company's creations. Outside of Germany, the company was represented by the Intamin AG firm; and as a result, many older rides which say they were manufactured by Intamin were actually designed and created by Schwarzkopf.
Anton Schwarzkopf, unfortunately, endured many bad dealings as a businessman. His company suffered through several bankruptcies, resulting in the scrapping of many designs and deals with parks.
Schwarzkopf retired from the industry in 1995, and died on 30 July 2001 after suffering from Parkinson's disease for many years. His son Wieland reportedly remains in the amusement business, designing rides for another company. Although gone, Anton Schwarzkopf will never be forgotten in the amusement ride and roller coaster world. His designs and ideas truly revolutionized the business and many of his creations are still alive and running today in theme parks around the world.
[edit] Notable Rides
- Aconcagua - Parque de la Ciudad
- Black Hole - Alton Towers (formerly "Black Hole II", a Jet Star 2 model, now defunct)
- Cascabel - La Feria Chapultepec Magico (Shuttle Loop model)
- Colossus the Fire Dragon - Lagoon Amusement Park (Double Looping model, with additional trackway curve)
- Greezed Lightnin’ - Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (Shuttle Loop model)
- Jet Star 2 - Lagoon Amusement Park (Jet Star 2 model)
- Katapul - Hopi Hari (Shuttle Loop model)
- Knightmare - Camelot Theme Park (Custom Design)
- Laser (roller coaster) - Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Double Looping model)
- Lisebergbanan - Liseberg in Sweden (custom design)
- Looping Star - Nagashima Spa Land
- Mind Bender (Six Flags Over Georgia) - Six Flags over Georgia
- Mindbender (Galaxyland) - Galaxyland at the West Edmonton Mall
- Montezooma's Revenge - Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
- Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon - The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (Jet Star model)
- Olympia Looping - Portable roller coaster, the largest in the world
- Rat Ride - Lightwater Valley (Wildcat model)
- Revolution - Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Scorpion (roller coaster) - Busch Gardens Africa
- Shockwave - Six Flags Over Texas
- Shuttle Loop - Nagashima Spa Land (Shuttle Loop model)
- SooperDooperLooper - Hersheypark
- Twist N' Shout - Loudoun Castle (Silverarrow model)
- Whizzer - Six Flags Great America (formerly "Willard's Whizzer", a Speed Racer model)
- WildCat - Cedar Point A 65m Wildcat model that features two vertical spirals.
- Zonga - Six Flags Marine World (once travelled German fairs as "Thriller", now defunct)
See also Category:Anton Schwarzkopf roller coasters
[edit] References
- Pantenburg, Michael. Schwarzkopf Coaster Net. Retrieved 18 September 2004.
