charlesincharge Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 So our school is having a history fair on whatever topic we are interested in, it just has to be something we consider as a "turning point in history". As a coaster enthusiast I chose the first modern roller coaster to go upside-down. I was wondering if i could chat and ask a few questions to anyone who has ever ridden the corkscrew at Knotts. Was it comfortable or rough? (for the time) (If you were there when it was new) What was the hype like? Describe the lines. Did people worry it was dangerous? Was there any advertising? If so, please explain what the ads were like and in what media. (Newspaper, TV, billboards,etc.) What were amusement parks in general like at that time? Were there less strict regulations? More or less crowds? What was the scenery like? Did it get a large amount of media attention? (such as news reports, magazine articles etc.)
larrygator Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) So our school is having a history fair on whatever topic we are interested in, it just has to be something we consider as a "turning point in history". As a coaster enthusiast I chose the first modern roller coaster to go upside-down. I was wondering if i could chat and ask a few questions to anyone who has ever ridden the corkscrew at Knotts. Was there any advertising? If so, please explain what the ads were like and in what media. (Newspaper, TV, billboards,etc.) Interesting topic Besides asking this question on this forum what tactics have you utilized to find this info. This is your project so in good faith I'm not going to do your work and give you the direct answer. Edited January 29, 2013 by larrygator
Sir Clinksalot Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 What Larry said. I'm more than willing to help, but I don't give my own kids the answers to their homework.
robbalvey Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 Have you searched our site? I'm pretty sure Shane's amusement attic had some photos, info, and maybe even some video.
charlesincharge Posted January 29, 2013 Author Posted January 29, 2013 Well actually, a personal interview is something our teacher wants us to do and the history fair includes it in its itinerary. You can see on the website. http://www.nhd.org/CreatingEntry.htm.
11slataus Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 Also, the ride is still around. I rode it at Silverwood.
Rastuso Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 I rode it in LA, when I was about 7. It was my first roller coaster. I recall being scared shitless as I waited in line with my older brother and dad. I recall being asked on teh lift how I was doing and letting out a very feeble "alright". I was on the right side, so when we reached the top, and the train tilted significantly to the right to make the tight 180, I was terrified. The drop and corkscrew were very fast, and I didn't think it was rought at all. In the brakes, I was so happy, felt like I had conquered the world, and was hooked for life. The line was too long to reride. I'm almost 500 coasters down the line now, and still absolutley love riding the few Arrow corkscrews left, and sitting on the inside seat for that 180 turn. It brings back some serious memories. -R
IronWolfman Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 Well, I love it now at Silverwood but I'm to young to have ridden it at Knott's. In fact, it opened at Silverwood just over 8 years before I was born.
cfc Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 (edited) It was the first inverting coaster I ever rode, back when I was a teenager, and I liked it back in the day (didn't seem rough at all). I have no idea how well it runs at Silverwood. This is making me nostalgic for Knott's Roaring 20s and Roaring 20 Airfield, which were much nicer than the generic "boardwalk" theme they're using in that spot now. Edited January 30, 2013 by cfc
Ed Farmer Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 What was the hype like? Describe the lines. Did people worry it was dangerous? Also, the ride is still around. I rode it at Silverwood. That actually sounds like something you could touch on- Hype/Rider reaction then (I'm assuming there was buzz/fair amount of hype for the world's first looper) vs. Hype/Rider reaction now (Virtually nonexistent).
Wags Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 It didn't seem rough at the time. It was just fun, not terrifying, more like a looping mine train. Back then Knott's was a true alternative to Disney.
Nrthwnd Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 My - first - corkscrew. Actually, one of the first of it's kind, in the world, right? We rode it in Sept.1975, after first visiting Disneyland and before that, the newly-opened Magic Mountain! We saw the land they were clearing at the time, for the First 360' Loop coaster, The Revolution! The corkscrew ride was great, not really knowing what to expect, right? But afterwards, I remember being amazed they had finally figured out inversions on a coaster, heh heh. Just do it in steel, hmm?
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