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History: Patented in 1914, the Whip was
manufactured by WF Mangels of Coney Island, USA and
cost the Pleasure Beach $4,700.
Its patent
described it as follows:
"Each car will
travel along the straight portions of the track and
acquire a quick centrifugal motion in passing around
the curves, turns or corners, the suddenness of
which causes agitation or commotion of the
occupants, and hence much merriment and amusement!"
The original
technical drawings for The Whip are reproduced in
the book
English Fairs by Ian Starsmore.
A Whip operated for
many years at Dreamland, and could be seen in the
film that was showing continuously at the
Dreamcoaster event in Margate in May 2008.
The Whip consists of two circular platforms turned
by motors which pull a cable that leads the cars
around an oval steel track, whipping them as they
circle each end.
According to a
plaque on the ride, Blackpool's Whip is believed to
have first operated at the Pleasure Beach in 1921,
although this is contradicted in the book
A Century of
Fun, which states that it arrived in 1914,
just as war was about to break out.
When it was removed
from the Pleasure Beach in September 2008, it was
the oldest 'flat ride' (i.e. fairground-style ride)
at the park. It is the only operating full-size Whip
in the UK. Junior Whips still operate at Southend's
Adventure Island and Pleasure Beach Blackpool.
Dimensions: NA.
Importance:
As the only surviving European Whip, this ride is
very important. It is also identical to the Whip
that operated for many years at Dreamland.
Latest: Now in
storage for use in the Heritage Park.
If you have any further
information on the history of this ride, please
email
nick@savedreamland.co.uk. |
