The classic Zipper first made its wicked presence in Kansas in 1968 invented by Joseph Brown of Chance Mft USA. Since this time more than 200 rides have been built - distributed all over the world, making it one of the most mass-produced modern-day rides of all time. (Even Michael Jackson owns one!)
The Zipper is the standard measuring stick to which all other “scary” rides are measured - if your body can handle two and a half minutes on the Zipper, you can handle any other ride on a carnival midway (with possible exception of its cousin - Turbo) . The ride is lean, mean - and very rarely clean. (the firmly padded, inner-carriage cushioning has its fair share of wipe-downs) It’s also one of the few rides that hasn’t been copied by any other ride manufacturer.
The Zipper is a great ride to watch - 19 tonnes of modestly decorated, well-welded steel. Minimal attempt has been made to modernise the ride over its 37 years of operation - the basic structural blue-prints remain the same. The Zipper’s not out to impress its audience with any themes - just pure, untamed, mechanical chaos!
The Zipper’s 12 passenger cages are all about practicality - just large enough to encase two human bodies - side by side. - Not for the weak-hearted or claustrophobic! No body-hugging safety restraints either, just a lap bar attached to the door, and some rungs to tightly hold on to (if you don’t your head will almost certainly bump the steel mesh and grab-bars in front of you!)
Each cage rotates freely on an off-centre axis, while the cages (connected to a cable) move around the main boom at 4 rpm. Furthermore, the whole boom rotates on its own axis at 7 rpm. This creates a completely chaotic ride pattern - flipping riders with maximum, white-knuckle force. Definitely not something to take your grandma on!
The Zipper is a ride which is either loved and appreciated in all its mechanical glory - or despised as an evil machine of terror.
No carnival is complete without a Zipper - no ride even slightly resembles it; it’s truly unique and will always hold a space in any carnival of the future. While it’s not fun for the whole family, it never fails to hold appeal to a strong minority of adrenaline-junkie regular riders.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 12 |
| Maximum number of passengers per seat | 2 adults or 3 children |
| Maximum passenger weight per seat | 153kg (340lbs) |
| Maximum total passenger weight | 1,836kg (4,080 lbs) |
| Minimum passenger height (unaccompanied) | 122cm (4 feet) |
| Recomended ride duration | 2 min. |
| Maximum ride duration | 2.5 min. |
| Main Boom speed | 7.5 RPM |
| Cable speed | 4 RPM |
| Maximum ride weight (EMPTY) | 43,000 lbs (19,350kg) |
| Maximum height | 56ft (16.80m) |
| Ride width | 17.1 m / 57 ft |
| Ride depth | 16.2 m / 54 ft |
I learnt about this interesting Zipper information from a very knowledgable showman friend of mine, with over 30 years experience on various rides - Joey Madriaga.
Joey Madriaga was fortunate to work on the 2nd Zipper ever made by Chance, belonging to West Coast Shows.
- 3 Zipper’s were already ordered by West Coast Shows, while the first one was 60 days from being completed
- The ride sold for a price of $32,000. Comparitively, Sellner’s trailerised Tilt-a-whirl was selling for $11,600 while the 16-seat Elli Ferris Wheel sold for $9,800.
- The original speed on the first Zipper’s boom was 11rpm. (FAST) and the cable speed 7 rpm. These speeds are just under TWICE as fast as it operates now
- At this speed, the operator could make the cars spin constantly, with cars spinning up to 8 times between the edges of the boom.
- With operating speeds nearly double today’s, Zipper owners were paying every-increasing insurance rates with some riders suffering cases of whiplash, back-aches and heart attack.
- Harold Chance had subsequent models go to a slower speed.
So there you have it - it really is hard to comprehend a Zipper running at these speeds, if only I could go back in time and have a ride!
Thanks again Joey for this first-hand historical insight into this legendary ride.
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Peter Short's Zipper at Sydney's Royal Easter Show 2007 |
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An Australian-built Zipper at the Geelong Show, 2007. Manufactured circa 1970 by Kevin Ferrari |
