Liberty Twirler - A Modern Spin on a Classic Thriller
Liberty Twirler - A Modern Spin on a Classic Thriller
All-American Corners at Great America is the new home to a thrilling new ride that’s the latest “spin” on a classic theme park ride that’s been mixing it up for over 80 years. Commonly known as a “Scrambler”, riders sit in small carriages clustered together and connected to a central point. The clustered vehicles are spun in one direction, while the base of the ride spins in the opposite direction. Riders will experience centrifugal force in alternating directions while spinning along two separate axes travelling clockwise and counterclockwise at the same time.
“Liberty Twirler” is brightly painted to match the vibrant red, white, and blue colors of the All-American Corners area of Great America. The whole area has gotten enhancements and has come roaring back to life this season.
The very first “scrambler” style ride was invented by Mr. Richard Harris of Georgia and installed at a fairground location near Atlanta in 1938. By 1941, Harris built and sold two more of the rides and received a patent on his design. He sold or licensed the ride design to the Eli Bridge Company who manufactured and sold five more by the end of 1954. In 1955, Eli Bridge exhibited the “Scrambler” at the Florida State Fair where it became a major attraction raking in $1,700 (at 25 cents a ride) in a single day and interested many additional buyers. That same year, Eli Bridge manufactured 16 more units and took orders for over 200 more! By 1959, the ride first appeared in the U.K. and several variations on Harris’ original design began to appear worldwide.
Just think, when you and your family ride Liberty Twirler at California’s Great America you too will experience the same thrilling ride that has been delighting park goers for generations.
