First invented by Herbert Sellner in 1926, the Tilt-A-Whirl has certainly stood the test of time, with over 1,000 units manufactured and an estimated 600 of these operating throughout the USA and abroad.
The ride consists of seven cars, each fixed to a pivot pin on each platform. These platforms then roll around a circular track of hills and valleys at 6.5 rpm, putting changing centrifugal and gravitational forces on the cars, making them tip and spin randomly.
Due to the truly random nature of the Tilt-A-Whirl’s motion, it has often been the basis for mathematical analysis. Mathematical models indicate that when the platforms travel at very low speed along the track, the cars complete one backward revolution as their platforms go over each hill. At high speeds, a car swings to its platform’s outer edge and stays locked in that position. It is unlikely that the Tilt-A-Whirl’s inventor performed such mathematical analysis, but instead used simple practical experiments with scale models.
The Tilt-A-Whirl can handle over 500 passengers an hour and a portable unit can fit onto a single 40 ft trailer. Each unit sells for around US$250,000.
Good Day,
I am doing a paper on Salem, Massachusetts and would like to know what happened to the old “Tilt-A-Whirl” ride which stood @ Salem Willows Amusement Park - 173 Fort Ave. - Salem, MA 01970. Nobody there seems to be able to help me.
Thank you.
Mary Arrington
Mary Arrington - July 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
THE TILT-A-WHIRL IS AWESOME!!!! =D
Unknown - August 14th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Out of all the High Energy rides out there, this one ends up making me sick! Awesome Classic though.
Jeff - November 9th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Hi, My county fair has this ride I have been on it IT IS SOO FUN one time my friend came with us to the county fair and she was having fun.
Jen - February 7th, 2010 at 5:29 am
my mom threw up on the tilt-a-whirl hahaha
amanda - June 15th, 2010 at 10:57 am
My youngest daughter misunderstood us and calls this the “TORTURE WHEEL” - I agree…
Adam - June 29th, 2010 at 7:50 am
i got on this at indiana beach cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
layail-sinedie - July 13th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I remember I rode Tilt-a-Whirl 20 times at Moreys Piers Surfside Pier. Can somebody tell me if you rode this more than 20 times in one day?
mb - July 21st, 2010 at 12:49 am
Do you happen to know what an amusement ride unit number is?
James - August 4th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Are you talking to me James!!!
mb - August 17th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Spin-and-barfs! I loved those, when I was a kid we’d pack as many people as allowed in a car to make it spin faster.
Moon - August 23rd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Very Cool Site, I remember the Tilt A Whirl & the key was to shift your self around inside and when you hit the low spot of a hill you could get that bad boy spinning really good! Lots of fun and where did all these rides go! Last one I rode was at Salem Willows, Salem Ma.
Phil - August 26th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Always best to pack in the maximum to get the most spinning- if you HAVE to go with two, make sure either person is on the outside.
Gemma - August 28th, 2010 at 1:19 pm