The Zipper first made its wicked presence in Kansas in 1968 invented by Joseph Brown of Chance Mfg 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.
This ride 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.
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 isn’t out to impress its audience with any warm and fuzzy themes - just untamed, mechanical chaos in its purest form.
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 collide with the 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. You decide.
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) |
| Recommended 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 |
Joey Madriaga was fortunate to work on the 2nd Zipper ever made by Chance, belonging to West Coast Shows and offers this fascinating insight:
- 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. Comparatively, a 16-seat Eli Bridge 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 - up to 8 times between the edges of the boom.
- With operating speeds nearly double today’s, owners were paying ever-increasing insurance premiums with common cases of whiplash, back-aches and heart attack. Subsequently, Harold Chance had the speeds revised to today’s slower RPM.
i went to the sydeny show this year and i am only 12 and went on it i didn’t like it that much i will probly not go on it again.sorry.
thanks heaps abbie
abbie - April 20th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
best ride i have ever rode. it’s not a fair without a zipper there. i love that feeling you get when you go around the top and you flip over. you feel like you are floating. thanks and keep on zipping.
david grubb - April 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I love this ride and have been on it about five times. I am 12 and think it is a wonderful thing to go on if you like spontaneous bursts of adrenalin. I will probably never go on it again because the last time i went on it I was on for a total of 4 minutes and hit my head several times. The locks were also rusted and you should never trust to be safe when you get on the Zipper. Changes to make the ride more safe need to be updated. Many deaths have occurred while on this ride and manufactures need to take precaution of this and fix things to make sure that it will never happen again.
Maria - April 27th, 2009 at 2:10 am
This ride is absolutely amazing. I have been riding it for probably the last 9 years. It definitely beats anything at Great America. I want one in my backyard. =)
Macenzie - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 am
For those interested in how fast the original zippers used to run, this is just about the closest you’ll ever get to seeing what the original speed was. It’s a custom built model in Australia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F2k-jiQQAg
Tom - May 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
In the ’70’s, this ride was amazing. I loved it- my favorite ride of all time!
Zipper’s today are still fun rides- but even the best ones pale in comparison!
Bill - May 9th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
A fair near me is bringing in a Zipper this year and I can’t wait to ride! It’s been way too long since I’ve subjected myself to its wonderful vertical assault lol. “Untamed, mechanical chaos in its purest form” is just the perfect way to describe Zipper.
By the way, it’s nice to see your site back in full force!
TheDoD3 - May 12th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Hi David, I just got your email today -it is so great that your site is back and “in motion” once again! Since I’m naturally a crazy person, my first click was The Zipper! Despite all the modern technology -and the super hi-tech thrill rides that exist today, The Zipper is still the king of all scary rides! -I’m enjoying checking out your new and improved site!
Michael - May 12th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Hi David, i went on the zipper when i was 6 and 7 well im 9 years old and i took a video of it
Junior - May 18th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
WoW!!!!
Aaliyah Deveau - May 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am
HI THERE!!! I LOVE THE ZIPPER RIDES!!! SEND ME ANY THING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ZIPPER RIDES!!! THANKS!!! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!! THANKS!!!
mike stellick - May 30th, 2009 at 4:01 am
ive always been too chicken to ride it even though its at the big butler fair every year and i ride other spinny rides there.
jenn - June 3rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Sorry to abbie, 12 is probably a bit young. You must be 150cm to ride my Zipper. Peter Short.
Peter Short - June 11th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Sorry Maria, no deaths in Australia. Please report rusted components to ride opperator and authorities. Peter Short.
Peter Short - June 11th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
RE:”this is just about the closest you’ll ever get to seeing what the original speed was..” THAT’S how a Zipper should run. I sure wish the ones in the US ran that way!!!
edward - June 12th, 2009 at 2:37 am
We love the zipper!! CAGE 5R IS THE BEST
Kelley and Paige - June 13th, 2009 at 7:33 am
We love the zipper!! CAGE 5R IS THE BEST!!! This ride is truely a danger to all the carnivals people…. Dont ride it unless you are willing to DIE!
Kelley and Paige - June 13th, 2009 at 7:36 am
I’ve riding the Zipper for many years and it is still an awesome ride. I rode it for a little over one hour non-stop a few years ago and am looking to attempt to take a two hour plus ride non-stop. I’d like to break this record and go for two and possibly three hours riding this non-stop. If someone is out there and can accommodate me on this crazy thing on the Zipper my e-mail is bdbell1940@yahoo.com and I live in Florida.
Bruce - June 17th, 2009 at 11:33 am
the zipper comes to the church carnival every year and it is the ride with the most lines…
Allison - June 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 am
I went on the Zipper near the Fox River with my friend and it was right in font of a tree! it was awesome with capital letters! I love that ride! it is better than a roller coaster!
Vera - June 30th, 2009 at 6:24 am
I think Michael Jackson owned a Zipper
Adam - July 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
I love this ride!
Adam - July 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
I would like to challange anyone who wants to try to outride me on the Zipper. Three or four hour non-stop ride? I’m ready. bdbell1940@yahoo.com
Bruce - July 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Im ready to challange anyone who wants to try to outride me riding the Zipper. Three or Four hours non-stop? Not out of the question. bdbell1940@yahoo.com
Bruce - July 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
I rode the zipper for the first time a week ago at the St Mike’s fair here in Levittown, PA, and this had the longest line! The operator sent me and my friend (she’s the one that got me to go on it, I got dizzy just watching it) spinning about 15 times in a row. We both got out and collapsed! Gotta love Reithoffer Shows!
Ian Anderson - July 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
This is hands down the best amusement ride ever created. The first time i ever went on this ride i was with my 250 pound older brother and his friend also just as big. i was maybe 12 years old and 70 pounds and my older brother was screaming constantly for the whole ride. i will never forget his shrieking (i’m laughing as i’m writing this) i had tears streaming down my face i was laughing at him sooo hard. he had such a genuine look of fear in his face. his big pal was quiet as a church-mouse but his eyes were wide as could be, he was overwhelmed with fear. the sound i remember still sticks in my head. a warble of music passing by on each rotation mixed with my laughing so loud at my brother and my brother himself shrieking at the top of his lungs and every so often when he could get out a phrase the only words i could make out were “I’m gonna die on a fly-by-night ride, a fly by night ride” the whole scene was a awesome memory i will never forget and to this day i will ride a zipper every time i see one. Paul Gordon
Paul Gordon - July 10th, 2009 at 2:53 am
I got a bad head ache on the Zipper
4thecool - July 10th, 2009 at 5:35 am
this is a fun but scary ride. the #1 favorite ride of mine!!!!
tyler mccane - July 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I’ll tell you something better. I’m ready to attempt a four hour non-stop ride on the Zipper but at the same time while riding it, break the record of 167 non-stop flips in a row and go for over 200 non-stop and doing it on one that is fast as the ones in Australia. That’s the way to break a record or two. Anybody dare me? E-mail me at bdbell1940@yahoo.com
Bruce - July 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Im soooo happy im acually going to ride this and im going to beat the record and try to go for 6 hours ya i said it 6 hours, its going to be my first tim riding it and i need some tips so comment and i’ll always be on this site to see what you wrote Tyty
Tyty - July 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Tyty, when you ride the Zipper as many times as I have, then you can try for six hours. One thing, you have to ride it alot in order to get used to it. I’ll tell you, after you go for six hours, Ill go for seven. Do you believe Tyty Dave? It is still a great ride.
Bruce - July 19th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Can we please get our Zippers touring the UK again please? lol i think we have at least one in storage… it needs to be travelled! Would do well too with them being much rarer today… still yet to ride one :(
Danny - July 22nd, 2009 at 5:25 am
Best ride hands down :) I live in Maryland USA and need to find one within the tri state area . Heck I will even go 100 miles just for this ride. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Josefsevilla@yahoo.com
ASAPEST.COM
ETO - July 31st, 2009 at 11:47 pm
took my 9 & 10 year olds on it for their first time ever today. the 9 yr old girl is a lifetime fan…the older boy, not so much.
kari - August 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Rode this today in Bangor — there is no way that ride was only 2.5 minutes. I think it was closer to ten, on one of the older models. Yow!
Dick Johnson - August 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
lol im going on the zipper this year
creepy1100 - August 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
hell to the no bitchs
anthony - August 10th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I LOVE the Zipper. It is the best!!!! I’m going on it tomorrow. The first time is really scary though, because it seems when your cage is at the right angle you feel like your going to hit the ground. But the article didn’t mention the 4 people who died, and 2 that got injured. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipper_(ride) to read about it!
Love the zipper - August 12th, 2009 at 2:27 am
THE BEST RIDE EVER! i’ve been riding the zipper for about 8 years… I can’t wait to go to the zipper tomorrow! ^.^ I live in hermiston, and the county fair comes to our city every year… and the carnival always comes with it!!
Christina - August 12th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I have not rode this but i would probably get sick :(
Unknown - August 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Still the best ride. I still want to attempt to ride it three to four hours on one where the operator can flip the cages from the control panel. That would be one super ride.
Super Ride. Hope I can attempt a three to four hour non-stop ride on one of the Zippers where the operator can flip the cages from the control panel. That’s where you can get many fast flips and they can do it an unlimited amount of times. You do not know where you are, but I am used to it. Anybody want to take me up on the three to four ride. My e-mail is bdbdll1940@yahoo.com.
Bruce - August 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
David, Where is the Chance Skydiver??? -an incredible ride that I always looked forward to! I heard it was discontinued by Chance in 1981 or 1982. Why? - - YouTube has footage - -loved it so much!!!
Michael - August 23rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
hi Michael, the Chance Skydiver is one of a long list of classic rides on my ‘to add’ list. It certainly has its fans.
Regards, David.
David Burton - August 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I freaking love the zipper. its the best ride ever. I live in ohio, and one comes every year to the great darke county fair. its been here as long as I can remember. I’m actually standing right now watching it, cause I’m on here on my phone!!!!
kalli - August 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Only thing that sucks about this one is when you’re riding it with someone queasy.
Erin - September 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Today I got on.I was scared at first but then when I got on I started to feel better.So now I like zipper.ZIPPER THE BEST RIDE EVER!!!!!GO ZIPPER!!!!!
Zipper Fan - September 5th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
For info go to wikiapidia
Zipper Fan - September 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Fun to experience - gives you strange sensations - but left me afterwards feeling shaky, a little nauseated and a little headachy. Won’t go on it again because of the aftereffects.
Bob - September 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
This ride is so awesome I went on it like 30 times in a row and I didn’t get sick.
Karina - September 21st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I was 10 years old when I did it the zipper is my favorite ride
Karina - September 21st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
The zipper is awesome I went on it 30 times in a row and I didn’t get sick.I was 10 years old when I didi it the zipper is my favorite in the whole entire world.
Karina - September 21st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
This one appears every year at an annual 4-day carnival in the park just accross the street. I’ve only ridden it several times for a few years of when it has been around, but it’s badassedness never fails. I’m not too happy about the single riders rule though since I can’t just go by myself and ride when I want to.
On one occassion, I had quite a dinner before riding the Zipper, then after riding, I proceeded to a collection of various spinning rides. After riding 6 or so other rides, I went on the Zipper again. I almost barfed after I got off, which was the sickest I’ve ever got from amusement rides. Never going to eat that much again before riding.
I’ve also seen the ride ops flip one of the cars continuously one time. Never got to ride those though.
Sam - September 27th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Hey! I can’t remember when the last time we had The Zipper here at my hometown. We have a fair called Deep South Fair. We had different shows coming to our fair since the late 90’s. Kissel Rides and Shows in 1996-2002 and now Modern Midways 2003-present. None of these shows have The Zipper. So I just stop going to the our fair. Even time when they come to town they say they have “new rides” but it not true. When I was a kid they use to have the Giant Wheel, Ring of Fire, Gravitron, Scrambler, The Zipper, Paratrooper, The Wipeout and Kamikaze. They had a couple more rides but those rides. Maybe in the future they’ll bring back the Zipper to our fair hopefully.
Prince06 - September 30th, 2009 at 3:00 am
This ride is the bomb! I used to be able do hundreds of flips even while the operator was loading the ride. That was back when they allowed single riders. The ride operator said he had never seen anyone do that before. Wow, those were the days!!
Mike - October 1st, 2009 at 7:01 am
BEST RIDE EVER! i wish i was a little kid again so i can ride this thing all day like i used to. went on one recently after not being on one for a while and it was exactly how i remembered. pure euphoria!
tim - October 5th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Chance rides really ruined the enjoyment of riding the Zipper, when they placed this rediculous single rider restriction. You can put a dummy or inflateable in the cage in order to fill the space of the second rider. What is happening is if you attend a fair where they have a Zipper ride by yourself or the person you are with doesn’t want to ride, you are penalized as you would not be permitted to ride. The people at Chance Rides do not think of that. If you are paired with someone, you run the risk of riding with someone under the influence of the funny stuff. I know. I had that happen and couldn’t wait to get away from these individuals. As far as I’m concerned, Chance Rides is not a customer friendly company.
Bruce - October 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I just went on this ride with my friend, we screamed our guts out. Best. Ride. Ever. Although we started screaming before the ride even started, and when the operator opened the door. We stumbled out hugging each other. BUT, I repeat, BEST RIDE EVER. Wheew. I think I’m still hyped out over it.
Ahem. I’m curious, though, does anyone know how many G’s it gets up to on the Zipper?
Jessie - October 9th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
hi i am cheese i love the zipper i am 11 years old and i have beem riding since i was 8 and could go on it well hope yo guys like it to
cheese - October 10th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
The zipper is by far the most amazing machine ever built. I’ve only rode it a couple times. I was terrified… it was fun.
cybermars - October 18th, 2009 at 8:50 am
rode 10 times down in LA, fav ride
Ride enthuist - October 21st, 2009 at 4:45 am
omg! i love this ride. i rode it twice today at the carnival. even though my head did hit the grab bars that were in front of me (it hurt lol) i still loved it and will go on it eveytime i see it :)
maddie - October 25th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
dude…. this ride is one of my top favs…
same with the inverter
joel - December 1st, 2009 at 10:46 am
Hi Dave - Thanks for leaving a comment on my website. Yup that Zipper Ride sure scared the crap out of me as a kid. Here is a photo of one at a fall fair in Bracebridge, Canada http://www.cottageblog.ca/2008/09/18/the-zipper-ride/
Ed - December 10th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I first saw the Zipper when I was 9 in 1979 and was fasinated by it for years but was too young n small to go on it. I went on it 6yrs latter at 15 and loved it….its a shame u don’t see it at many fairground in U.K……LONG LIVE THE ZIPPER….BEST RIDE EVER.
plax - December 17th, 2009 at 9:23 am
i recently went on the zipper and my arm hyperextened and i broke myarm, and i am a very healthy person this ride is ok
tara - January 3rd, 2010 at 10:38 pm
My best friend and I got introduced to the Zipper at age 18 in Ocean city MD. We tried to spin the car as many times as possible each summer when we went to OC. Our best was 103 times in a ride. The best was when they were loading people, they stopped us at the bottom and asked if we could stop until the ride started going fully loaded….we were shaking the whole thing as they tried to load people on.
Patrick - January 29th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
i have had the pleasure of running the zipper for carnival time shows ,and even though im no longer a carnie, i still love to go to the fair to stand and watch the zipper .it is the best ride chance rides has ever made
rick apodaca - January 30th, 2010 at 12:37 am
cool, i ran this ride for almost 17 years and have rebuilt four of them, it doesn’t get any better then the zipper
marty blood - February 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 am