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