German engineer Anton Schwarzkopf is no doubt a legend in modern roller coaster design. He was responsible for the first weight-drop launched roller coaster in the world, as well as the first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop.
During his career, Schwarzkopf built more than 140 coasters. Many of them are still operational.
A new Facebook page has been created solely for showcasing his work.
Do your recognize this Katupult model? It’s Lasso Loop at OK Corral in France. It operated from 1993 until 2004.
The Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain was the first successful coaster to feature a vertical loop.
Thriller originally opened at Gröna Lund before being relocated to Six Flags Astroworld…then to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom as Zonga…and now it resides at Isla San Marcos Parque Temático as Tsunami.
Although Schwarzkopf passed away in 2001, his legacy lives on through his coasters that are still thrilling riders today.
Learn more about Schwarzkopf’s work and see more historic photos here.
What is your favorite Schwarzkopf coaster? Share in the comments section below.
I’ve only been on 2, but I favor Montezooma’s Revenge at Knott’s Berry Farm.
My favorite Schwarzkopf coaster is the Mind Bender at Six Flags Over Georgia (near Atlanta). I enjoy riding the classic SFOG coaster, which earned the title of “world’s first triple-looping coaster”. I hear that Revolution at SFMM, Shock Wave at SFOT, and Whizzer at SFGAM are good too… and the Shuttle Loop coaster (which seem to have the common Greezed Lightnin’ name) is pretty good too.
Other than roller coasters, I like Schwarzkopf version of Enterprise flat ride… SFGAM still has The Orbit and SFSTL still has Highland Fling. Other Six Flags parks that used to have Schwarzkopf Enterprise rides… SFGADV’s Enterprise/Spin-meister, SFMM’s Enterprise, and SFOT’s Spinnaker/SFFT’s Wagon Wheel… and I used to enjoy riding SFOG’s Wheelie, which I miss, and has since been moved to Fun Spot America (Orlando) and renamed as Enterprise.