Presented here are the most detailed and comprehensive biographies ever written about 10 men who were instrumental in shaping the 20th century fun park landscape. Written in a casual, easy to read style, the passion of these pioneers beautifully shines through.
* Buzz Price had no data bank to refer to when he conducted the original feasibility study for Disneyland or when he directed Walt to the location in Anaheim where the park should be built.
* Ron Toomer had no g-force numbers or more than a basic knowledge of friction when he left the space industry and joined Arrow Development Company to design the world's finest coasters.
* George Millay, the Father of the Waterpark Industry had amazing visionary skills that led to the creation of three SeaWorld marine parks, Magic Mountain theme park, and seven Wet'n Wild waterparks.
* Harold Chance's created Chance Rides, an American ride manufacturer and one of the most prolific ride builders ever.
* Carl Hughes of Kennywood Park became the first non-family member to reach top management at the park.
* John Graff is known as the now-retired top official of the IAAPA; but few know of his pioneering efforts in theme park law and contract work.
* Dr. Roberto Ortiz, a physician in Costa Rica created that country's first modern theme park as an on-going revenue generator for the country's largest children's hospital.
* Marty Sklar started working for Walt Disney before Disneyland opened in California in 1955 and became its top Imagineer.
* Bo Kinntorph, from Sweden’s Liseberg Park was the first non-American president of IAAPA.
* Jeff Henry took his "crazy ideas" and became one of the world's most productive and creative waterpark ride builders and designers in history.
Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry
- Publisher: Casa Flamingo Literary Arts
- Published: November 10, 2006
- Paperback: 276 pages
- ISBN: 978-1893951136
- Dimensions: 6 x 0.58 x 9 inches
D. W. Francis
3.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read - When is Volume Two coming out?
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 27, 2014
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I bought "Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry" because I was doing research on the subject. I was pleased with the writing and material, which is a nice blend of facts, anecdotes, quotes and images. I was also pleased with the inclusion of both Ron Toomer and Marty Sklar, but there is one thing which keeps me from giving this book another star.
While Arrow Development and its key founders, Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan, are mentioned in the text, they really deserve their own chapters. In their day, Arrow Development and its successor Arrow Dynamics, had a greater impact on the industry than almost all of the others combined. With over 200 ride systems installed in over 100 parks around the world and patents on the features which other companies later copied. Arrow's creative scope and depth went far beyond roller coasters and flume rides. Their dark rides, self guiding tracked vehicle systems and "special" systems were unique, original and so durable that some of which are still in operation 50 years after they were first installed. Arrow and its founders deserve much more credit and recognition than they have received. Aside from that, this book is a nice overview of ten significant contributors to the history of the amusement park industry.JR vaanLienden
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2015
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Enjoyed the read, stories and history. I would read more like this.