Why All Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Should Know the Name Eric Laithwaite
There are several names synonymous in the roller coaster and theme park community: Karl Bacon, Ed & Dana Morgan, Anton Schwarzkopf, Walter Bolliger & Claude Mabillard and Walt Disney, among many others.
But one in particular seems to have fallen by the wayside – Eric Laithwaite. And yet every enthusiast who’s ever enjoyed a modern, launched roller coaster owes those very thrills to him, because he is “the father of linear induction.”
Laithwaite’s most famous work centered around using magnetism to provide frictionless travel, on maglev trains. He had figured out that if you uncoiled a standard, electrical motor, an object could simply glide over it on an electromagnetic wave – and it would stay on course with the attraction and resistance already natural to those magnets.
Perhaps his most famous work of the time was the magnetic river from “The Spy Who Loved Me”
But for parks, chain lifts were just fine modes of gaining potential energy – and the technology wasn’t seen for amusement purposes until 1975, with the debut of Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland Transit Authority. While it kept a consistent pace to the ride – it’s hardly a thrill ride, too.
People at the time did not see the true potential of the futuristic, potential acceleration system. Computer control systems were still rudimentary by today’s standards – plus the weight drop and flywheel launches of Schwarzkopf and Arrow were doing the job just fine.
It would take over two decades before amusement ride manufacturers would take the technology to it’s full potential, with the debut of Premier Rides’ “Flight of Fear” indoor coasters at (then) Paramount’s Kings Island and Kings Dominion in 1996.
And, after a year of technical issues, the technology would reach it’s top speed, with the debut of Intamin’s spectacular Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It still holds the record for fastest linear launched coaster on Earth at 100 mph (on a good day).
With the explosion in launched coasters over the past two decades, just remember to add the name Eric Laithwaite to your coaster lexicon. Because without him – you would literally be going nowhere, fast.
US Navy Uses Roller Coaster Tech on New Aircraft Carrier
Who would have thought technology that was born in the amusement world would find it’s way to the battlefield.
Introducing, the Navy’s most modern carrier launching system – LSM. Yup – that same frictionless launch we’ve come to know and love on launching coasters will soon be launching fighter jets and the like – protecting our freedom to go out and have fun.
The most common launch on carriers is a pressurized steam system that hasn’t really changed in nearly 60 years. Boy, are they in for a shock when they get their first LSM launch…
This test / demonstration was done off the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, CVN 78 using the durable and popular GoPro HERO cameras. Admit it – you would have taken a ride if they let you…
Superman, Ultimate Flight – Media Day Event
Come experience the entire media day festivities for Six Flags’ newest thrill ride! Includes after-ride analysis, point of view video (POV) and even a Drew Carey laugh impersonation!
V2: Vertical Velocity
Our latest segment, on everyone’s favorite meshing of electricity and mangnetism. Ladies and Gentlemen, Vertical Velocity:
Our apologies for the poor audio quality – we’re saving up our allowances for some real a/v equipment!
Enjoy!
Great American Thrills® 