John Miller (entrepreneur)
John A. Miller (born August John Mueller in 1872, Homewood, Illinois - died June 24, 1941, Houston, Texas) was an American roller coaster designer and builder, inventor, and businessman. Having patented over 100 [1] key roller coaster components, he is considered to be the "father of the modern high-speed roller coaster."[2] During his lifetime, he designed (singularly or with a partner) nearly 140 coasters[3] and remained a mentor and key business partner to other coaster designers, including Harry C. Baker and John C. Allen.
Biography
Early life
Miller was born in Homewood Illinois and worked as a coaster builder at a very early age.[2] At the age of 19, he started working with La Marcus Thompson and went on to serve as Thompson's chief engineer.[2] By 1911, he was working as a consultant to the Philadelphia Toboggan Company[4] He also worked with noted designers Frederick Ingersoll and Fred and Josiah Pearce.[5]
Miller in 1910 designed a device that prevented cars from rolling backward down the lift hill in the event of pull chain breakage. It attached to the track and clicked onto the rungs of the chain. Known as the safety chain dog, or safety ratchet, it evolved into the device on the underside of cars that makes that distinctive clinkety-clank sound of wooden coasters.
Miller's most important contribution to coaster technology, though, was the underfriction wheel. In 1919,[6] he patented the "Miller Under Friction Wheel," also called the "upstop wheel," which consisted of a wheel that ran under the track to keep the coaster cars from flying off. This allowed the designers to use very steep drops, sharp horizontal and vertical curves and high speeds.[1] These are found on nearly every roller coaster in operation.[5]
Miller & Baker
Besides patenting ingenious inventions for coasters—including several types of brakes and car bar locks—Miller built his share of unusual "scream machines." In 1920 Miller went into business with Harry C. Baker as "Miller & Baker, Inc." and over the next three years, they built popular coasters all over North America. Characteristics of their roller coasters are camelback hills (multiple straight or slightly angled drops that went all the way to the ground) and large, flat turns.[1]
Miller & Baker built other types of amusement rides and structures as well. In addition to coasters, the firm constructed mill chutes, and domed roof buildings for carousels and dance pavilions.[7]
The John Miller Company
After 1923, Miller continued to design and build coasters for his own company, "The John Miller Company." The Dip-Lo-Docus (c. 1923), billed as "The Jazz Ride," featured revolving three-seater cars, whereas the Flying Turns (1929) consisted of cars with swiveling rubber wheels tearing through a half-cylindrical chute like a toboggan. The legendary Cyclone (1928-1958) at Puritas Springs near Cleveland, Ohio was honored with a place on the Smithsonian Institution's list of Great Lost Roller Coasters. It was hidden so much by foliage that only the boarding platform was visible to riders before they began to race through the ravine. This 1928 ride was considered one of the golden-age classics of the period.[1]
Later life
Although many of his most famous coasters were built during the 1920s, Miller never stopped building coasters. He continued to travel to supervise site installations and consult on roller coaster design until his death. He died on June 24, 1941, while working on a coaster project at Playland Park in Houston, Texas, at the age of 69.[5] He is interred in the Homewood Memorial Gardens in Homewood, IL.[8]
Coasters
During his lifetime, Miller designed or contributed to the design of nearly 140 roller coasters, including the following[3]
| Name | Park | Location | Operational |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | Lakewood Fairgrounds | Atlanta, Georgia | 1915 - 1974 |
| Jack Rabbit | Riverview Park | Des Moines, Iowa | 1915 - 1919 |
| Aeroplane | Riverview Park | Des Moines, Iowa | 1920 - 1978 |
| Dip-Lo-Docus | Riverview Park | Des Moines, Iowa | ca. 1923 - ? |
| Cyclone | Puritas Springs | Cleveland, Ohio | 1928 - 1958 |
| Greyhound | Celoron Park | Jamestown, NY | 1924 - 1959 |
| Flying Turns | Euclid Beach Park | Cleveland, OH | 1929 - 1969 |
| Ravine Flyer | Waldameer Park | Erie, PA | 1922 - 1938 |
| Thunderbolt | Revere Beach | Revere, MA | 1921 - 1930 |
| Thunderbolt | Coney Island | New York NY | 1925 - 1982 [lower-alpha 1] |
| The Beach Coaster | Ocean View Pavilion Amusement Park | Jacksonville, FL | 1928 - 1949 [lower-alpha 2] |
| Screechin' Eagle | Americana Park/ LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park, | Middletown, OH | 1927 - 2011 [lower-alpha 3] |
| The Legend | Arnold's Park Amusement Park | Arnolds Park, IA | 1927 - |
| Racer | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1927 - |
| Jack Rabbit | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1920 - |
| Thunderbolt[lower-alpha 4] | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1924 - |
| Big Dipper | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 1923 - |
| Big Dipper | Geauga Lake | Aurora, OH | 1926 - [lower-alpha 5] |
| Coaster Thrill Ride | Washington State Fair | Puyallup, WA | 1935 - |
| Jack Rabbit | Seabreeze Amusement Park | Rochester, NY | 1920 - |
| (The White) Roller Coaster | Lagoon Amusement Park | Farmington, UT | 1921 - |
| Zippin Pippin | Bay Beach Amusement Park[lower-alpha 6] | Green Bay, WI | 1912 - |
| The Wild One[lower-alpha 7] | Six Flags America[lower-alpha 8] | Largo, MD | 1917 - |
| Jack Rabbit | Clementon Park | Clementon, NJ | 1919 - 2007 |
| Dips | Buckroe Beach Park | - | 1920 - 1985 |
| Screem Machine | Splash Zone Water Park | - | 1919 - 1984 |
| Big Beast | Edgewater Park | - | 1927 - 1981 |
| Speed Hound | Don Hanson's Amusement Park | - | 1931 - 1980 |
| Roller Coaster | Riverview Park | Des Moines, Iowa | 1920 - 1978 |
| Alps | Willow Grove Park | - | 1905 - 1975 |
| Comet | Silver Beach Amusement Park | - | 1924 - 1975 |
| Dips | Riverside Park | - | 1924 - 1970 |
| Thriller | Riverside Park | - | 1924 - 1970 |
| Derby Racer | Euclid Beach Park | Cleveland, OH | 1913 - 1969 |
| Flying Dragon | Walled Lake Park | - | 1929 - 1968 |
| Jack Rabbit | Natatorium Park | - | 1920 - 1968 |
| Big Dipper | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1920 - 1967 |
| Fireball | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1923 - 1967 |
| Flying Turns | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1935 - 1967 |
| Humming Bird | Riverview Beach Park | - | 1923 - 1967 |
| Pippin | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1921 - 1967 |
| Sea Serpent | Pacific Ocean Park | - | 1925 - 1967 |
| Dips | Buckeye Lake | - | 1924 - 1966 |
| Giant | Winnipeg Beach | - | 1919 - 1966 |
| Skyrocket | Fairyland Park | - | 1923 - 1966 |
| Aero Dips | Euclid Beach Park | Cleveland, OH | 1909 - 1965 |
| Jet Star | Olympic Park | - | 1925 - 1965 |
| Deep Dip Coaster | Fair Park | - | 1924 - 1964 |
| Gee Wiz | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1912 - 1963 |
| Crystal Flyer | Crystal Beach Park | - | 1926 - 1962 |
| Big Dipper | Jefferson Beach | - | 1927 - 1959 |
| Comet | Chain of Rocks Amusement Park | - | 1926 - 1958 |
| Cyclone | Lake Ariel Amusement Park | - | 1928 - 1955 |
| Derby Racer | Central Park | - | 1912 - 1951 |
| Rocket | Lakeworth Park | - | 1930 - 1951 |
| Sky Rocket | Steeplechase Island | - | 1921 - 1951 |
| Velvet Racer | Ghost Town on the River | - | 1936 - 1951 |
| Mountain Dips / "Giant" Coaster | Rocky Glen Park | Moosic, PA | 1920 - <1946 |
| Cyclone | DandiLion Park | - | 1929 - 1949 |
| Deep Dipper | Carlin's Park | - | 1919 - 1949 |
| Racer Dip | Bay Shore Park | - | 1920 - 1947 |
| Skyrocket | Meyer's Lake Park | - | 1924 - 1946 |
| Triple Racing Coaster | State Fair of Texas | - | 1936 - 1946 |
| Skyrocket | Palisades Amusement Park | Fort Lee, NJ | 1926 - 1944 |
| Giant Coaster | Central Park | - | 1921 - 1942 |
| Jack Rabbit | Keansburg Amusement Park | - | 1931 - 1941 |
| Wildcat | Enna Jettick Park | - | 1921 - 1941 |
| Flying Turns | Steeplechase Park | - | 1934 - 1939 |
| Greyhound | Hazle Park | - | 1923 - 1939 |
| Thunderbolt | Moxahala Amusement Park | - | 1928 - 1939 |
| Whoopee Baby Scenic | Neptune Beach | - | 1927 - 1939 |
| Whoopee Coaster | Neptune Beach | - | 1929 - 1939 |
| Wildcat | Merrimack Park | - | 1921 - 1938 |
| Derby Racer | Lakeside Amusement Park | - | 1911 - 1937 |
| Jack Rabbit | Capital Beach Park | - | 1918 - 1936 |
| Racing Derby | Ghost Town on the River | - | 1910 - 1936 |
| Gorge Ride | Cascade Park | New Castle, PA | 1922 - 1935 |
| Flying Turns | Century of Progress | - | 1933 - 1934 |
| Cyclone | Chester Park | - | 1927 - 1935 |
| Some Kick | Venice Amusement Pier | - | 1923 - 1934 |
| Big Dipper | Roton Point | - | 1914 - 1933 |
| Comet | Pacific City | - | 1923 - 1933 |
| Flash | White City | Chicago, IL | 1928 - 1933 |
| Greyhound | Riverside Amusement Park | Agawam, MA | 1915 - 1933 |
| Lightning | Riverside Amusement Park | Agawam, MA | 1920 - 1933 |
| Racing Coaster | White City | Chicago, IL | 1910 - 1933 |
| Devil | Liberty Pier | - | 1925 - 1932 |
| Jack Rabbit | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1914 - 1932 |
| Derby Racer | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1910 - 1931 |
| Big Dipper | Krug Park | - | 1918 - 1930 |
| Jack Rabbit Racer | Queens Park | - | 1915 - 1930 |
| Jack Rabbit | Paxtang Park | - | 1923 - 1929 |
| Pippin | Luna Park | Cleveland, OH | 1923 - 1929 |
| Roller Coaster | Arnolds Park | - | 1922 - 1929 |
| Big Dipper | Idora Park | Youngstown, OH | 1922 - 1928 |
| Giant Coaster | Harlem Park | - | 1912 - 1928 |
| Greyhound | Island Beach Park | - | 1922 - 1928 |
| Jack Rabbit | Playland Park | - | 1928 - 1928 |
| Skyrocket | Idora Park | Youngstown, OH | 1927 - 1928 |
| Thriller | Exposition Park | - | 1926 - 1928 |
| Big Dipper | Gordon Gardens | - | 1922 - 1927 |
| Jack Rabbit | Rocky Springs Park | - | 1918 - 1927 |
| Racer | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1910 - 1926 |
| Cannon Ball | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1919 - 1925 |
| Comet | Palisades Amusement Park | Fort Lee, NJ | 1921 - 1925 |
| Jack Rabbit | Revere Beach | Revere, MA | 1916 - 1924 |
| Zip | Lick Pier | - | 1922 - 1924 |
| Blue Streak | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1911 - 1923 |
| Chase through the Clouds | Silver Beach Amusement Park | - | 1905 - 1923 |
| Speed-O-Plane | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1911 - 1923 |
| Deep Dipper | Frederick Road Park | - | 1920 - 1922 |
| Giant Coaster Dips | East End Park | - | 1913 - 1922 |
| Leap the Dips | Forest Park | - | 1907 - 1922 |
| Great Mountain Ride | Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park | - | 1912 - 1921 |
| The Gorge | Cascade Park | New Castle, PA | 1903 - 1921 |
| Royal Gorge Scenic Railway | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1908 - 1920 |
| Jack Rabbit | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1915 - 1919 |
| Velvet Coaster | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1909 - 1919 |
| Scenic Railway | White City | Chicago, IL | 1905 - 1916 |
| Figure Eight | Seabreeze | - | 1903 - 1915 |
| Royal Dip Coaster | Playland Park | - | 1915 - 1915 |
| Dip The Dips | Clyffside Park | - | 1909-1913 |
| Pikes Peak Scenic Railway | Riverview Park | Chicago, IL | 1907 - 1911 |
| Scenic Railway | Kennywood | Pittsburgh, PA | 1904 - 1910 |
| Scenic Railway | Erie Beach Park | - | 1910 - 1930 |
| Deep Dips | Olympic Park | - | 1920 - ? |
| Derby Racer | Electric Park | - | ? - ? |
| Dips | Liberty Park | - | ? - ? |
| Figure 8 | Hague Park | - | ? - ? |
| Giant Coaster | Lakewood Park | - | 1923 - 1982 |
| Greyhound | Stanley Park | - | ? - ? |
| L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway | Lake Erie Park & Casino | - | ? - ? |
| Pippin | Wildwood Park | - | ? - ? |
| Racer Dips | Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park | - | 1920 - 1940 |
| Roller Coaster | Woodlawn Park | - | 1922 - ? |
| Scenic Railway | Ghost Town on the River | - | 1905 - ? |
| Sidewinder | Legend City | - | 1968 - 1983 |
| Sky Rocket | Coney Island | Cincinnati, OH | 1921 - 1944 |
| Skyline Twister | Rolling Green Park | - | 1928 - 1972 |
| Velvet Coaster | Woodside Park | - | 1925 - ? |
| Velvet Coaster | Lakeside Amusement Park | - | 1908 - ? |
| Skyrocket [lower-alpha 9] [9][10] | Playland Park (Houston, Texas)[11] | Houston, TX | 1924 - ca.1932
1941 - ca.1963 |
- ↑ torn down 2000
- ↑ torn down/dismantled 1950
- ↑ Torn down/Dismantled August 16, 2011. Parts of the track and the cars will be going to Texas, where it will become part of the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives (NRCMA) in Arlington, Texas.
- ↑ Originally named "Pippin," this coaster was redesigned in 1968 by Andy Vettel
- ↑ SBNO
- ↑ Originally located at East End Park then Libertyland, both in Memphis, TN
- ↑ Originally named "The Giant Coaster," this coaster was redesigned in 1932 by Herbert Schmeck
- ↑ Relocated from Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, MA in 1986
- ↑ relocation project only, from Luna Park, Houston (1924-1934)
Patents
| Number | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 13,588 | 1913, July 1 | reissue |
| 979,875 | 1910, December 27 | |
| 979,982 | 1910, December 27 | |
| 979,983 | 1910, December 27 | Braking Apparatus |
| 979,984 | 1910, December 27 | Chain Dog |
| 1,037,957 | 1912, September 10 | |
| 1,037,958 | 1912, September 10 | |
| 1,038,174 | 1912, September 10 | |
| 1,038,175 | 1912, September 10 | |
| 1,062,838 | 1913, May 27 | |
| 1,062,839 | 1913, May 27 | |
| 1,076,779 | 1913, October 28 | |
| 1,319,888 | 1919, October 28 | Underfriction Wheel |
| 1,373,754 | 1921, April 5 | |
| 1,380,730 | 1921, June 7 | |
| 1,380,731 | 1921, June 7 | |
| 1,380,732 | 1921, June 7 | |
| 1,409,750 | 1922, February 14 | |
| 1,409,751 | 1922, February 14 | |
| 1,415,187 | 1922, May 9 | |
| 1,438,452 | 1922, December 12 | |
| 1,448,763 | 1923, May 20 | |
| 1,448,764 | 1923, May 20 | |
| 1,476,995 | 1923, December 11 | |
| 1,501,060 | 1924, July 15 | |
| 1,501,061 | 1924, July 15 | Track construction |
| 1,536,122 | 1925, May 5 | Track construction |
| 1,536,448 | 1925, May 5 | Coaster with tight turns |
| 1,539,094 | 1925, May 26 | Ferris Wheel |
| 1,562,035 | 1925, November 17 | Pleasure Railway Car |
| 1,562,036 | 1925, November 17 | Pleasure Railway Structure |
| 1,591,722 | 1926, July 6 | Amusement Structure |
| 1,593,587 | 1926, July 27 | Pleasure Railway Structure |
| 1,605,369 | 1926, November 2 | Truck for Pleasure Railway Cars |
| 1,606,769 | 1926, November 16 | Roof Structure |
| 1,606,770 | 1926, November 16 | Handle-bar Structure |
| 1,607,771 | 1926, November 23 | Water-chute Structure |
| 1,613,118 | 1927, January 4 | Pleasure Railway Structure |
| 1,629,520 | 1927, May 24 | Pleasure Railway Structure |
| 1,645,202 | 1927, October 11 | Roof Structure |
| 1,656,218 | 1928, January 17 | Pleasure Railway Car |
| 1,825,468 | 1931, September 29 | Pleasure Railway Structure |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Rutherford, Scott (2000) The American Roller Coaster, MBI Publishing Company, Wisconsin. ISBN 0760306893.
- 1 2 3 Cartmell, Robert (1987). The Incredible Scream Machine: A History of the Roller Coaster. Fairview Park, OH: Amusement Park Books, Inc. pp. 117–136. ISBN 0879723416.
- 1 2 Marden, Duane. "John A. Miller". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ↑ Urbanowicz, Steven J. (1987). The Roller Coaster Lover's Companion. New York: Citadell Press. ISBN 0806523093.
- 1 2 3 "John A. Miller". MIT Inventor of the Week Archive. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ↑ US patent 1319888, John Miller, "Pleasure railway structure", issued 1919-10-28
- ↑ Miller and Baker Inc. 1923 Catalogue (reprint). Natrona Heights, PA: Amusement Park Journal. 1923.
- ↑ Habben, David. "John A. Miller (1872-1941)". Retrieved 24 Aug 2013.
- ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1942-03-07). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ↑ "Roller Coaster - Playland Park (Houston, Texas, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
- ↑ "Playland Park (Houston, Texas, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 2015-11-19.