Gravitron
Encyclopedia
The Gravitron is an amusement ride
, most commonly found as a portable ride at fair
s and carnival
s. The Gravitron first appeared at Morey's Piers
in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries. It is a modification of an earlier ride called the Rotor
. The ride was originally designed and manufactured by Wisdom Industries, though several examples of the Gravitron were produced under license by ARM in the UK and Ferrari in Australia.
The ride is completely enclosed, with 48 padded panels lining the inside wall. However there are a few versions of this ride that do not have a roof (i.e. the top canvas isn't installed). Riders lean against these panels, which are angled back. As the ride rotates, centrifugal force
is exerted against the pads by the rider, removing the rider from the floor, due to the slant. The ride can reach a maximum speed of 24 rpm in less than 20 seconds, due to the 33 kW 3-phase
motor. At this speed, the riders are experiencing centrifugal force equivalent to three times the force of gravity
. At full speed, it is possible (though generally prohibited) for a skilled and strong rider to stand horizontally on the pads.
The ride operator is located in the center of the ride. Part of the operator's duty is to control lighting and music in addition to the ride itself. Some variants include closed-circuit television camera
s, allowing waiting riders and passersby to observe the ride in action.
The entire ride racks on a single 50-foot trailer for transport. The ride can be assembled in less than six hours, and packed up in three.
, injuring seven children. The accident led to a class-action lawsuit against Murphy Enterprises, the operator of the ride, and Wisdom Manufacturing, resulting in modifications to the rides and stricter safety standards.
In April 2004, an accident occurred at the Dade County Youth Fair in Miami, Florida when a panel came off and threw a girl out of the ride. As a result, DCYF strengthened their safety guidelines and removed the ride from the park.
On September 8, 2007, a teenage boy was injured while riding a Gravitron amusement ride at the Spokane County Interstate Fair in Spokane
, Washington. The boy hit his head on a metal part of the ride, and needed two staples in his scalp to close the wound. Witnesses reported that the boy ignored safety warnings and climbed the walls of the ride while it was in motion. State investigators determined that the ride was safe and that the accident was the result of the victim's behavior.
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
, most commonly found as a portable ride at fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
s and carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
s. The Gravitron first appeared at Morey's Piers
Morey's Piers
Morey’s Piers is a seaside amusement park located in Wildwood, New Jersey. It started when Morey brothers, Will and Bill bought two boardwalk lots in North Wildwood at 25th and 26th streets. They called it Surfside Pier and opened in the summer of 1969 with a giant fiberglass slide called the Wipe...
in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries. It is a modification of an earlier ride called the Rotor
Rotor (ride)
The Rotor is an amusement park ride, designed by German engineer Ernst Hoffmeister in the late 1940s. The ride was first demonstrated at Oktoberfest 1949, and was exhibited at fairs and events throughout Europe during the 1950s and 1960s...
. The ride was originally designed and manufactured by Wisdom Industries, though several examples of the Gravitron were produced under license by ARM in the UK and Ferrari in Australia.
Design and operation
Centrifugal force
Centrifugal force can generally be any force directed outward relative to some origin. More particularly, in classical mechanics, the centrifugal force is an outward force which arises when describing the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame...
is exerted against the pads by the rider, removing the rider from the floor, due to the slant. The ride can reach a maximum speed of 24 rpm in less than 20 seconds, due to the 33 kW 3-phase
Three-phase electric power
Three-phase electric power is a common method of alternating-current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system and is the most common method used by grids worldwide to transfer power. It is also used to power large motors and other heavy loads...
motor. At this speed, the riders are experiencing centrifugal force equivalent to three times the force of gravity
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
. At full speed, it is possible (though generally prohibited) for a skilled and strong rider to stand horizontally on the pads.
The ride operator is located in the center of the ride. Part of the operator's duty is to control lighting and music in addition to the ride itself. Some variants include closed-circuit television camera
Closed-circuit television camera
Closed-circuit television cameras can produce images or recordings for surveillance purposes, and can be either video cameras, or digital stills cameras...
s, allowing waiting riders and passersby to observe the ride in action.
The entire ride racks on a single 50-foot trailer for transport. The ride can be assembled in less than six hours, and packed up in three.
Incidents
On August 20, 1991, a Gravitron spun itself apart at the Missouri State FairMissouri State Fair
The Missouri State Fair is the state fair for Missouri which has operated since 1901 in Sedalia, Missouri. It lasts 11 days. It includes daily concerts, exhibits and competitions of animals, homemade crafts, shows, and many food/lemonade stands. Its most famous event, which has run since its...
, injuring seven children. The accident led to a class-action lawsuit against Murphy Enterprises, the operator of the ride, and Wisdom Manufacturing, resulting in modifications to the rides and stricter safety standards.
In April 2004, an accident occurred at the Dade County Youth Fair in Miami, Florida when a panel came off and threw a girl out of the ride. As a result, DCYF strengthened their safety guidelines and removed the ride from the park.
On September 8, 2007, a teenage boy was injured while riding a Gravitron amusement ride at the Spokane County Interstate Fair in Spokane
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
, Washington. The boy hit his head on a metal part of the ride, and needed two staples in his scalp to close the wound. Witnesses reported that the boy ignored safety warnings and climbed the walls of the ride while it was in motion. State investigators determined that the ride was safe and that the accident was the result of the victim's behavior.
Appearances
- Australia – At least six; Vortex at DreamworldDreamworldDreamworld is a large theme park situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It is currently Australia's largest theme park with over 27 rides including 4 roller coasters. The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, Kid's World, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger...
and five traveling models. - North America – Believed to be upwards of 40.
- The Bahamas – The Holiday Carnival hosts this ride.
- The United Kingdom Pleasure IslandPleasure Island Family Theme ParkPleasure Island Family Theme Park is a Theme Park in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England. It is commonly known simply as Pleasure Island. The park opened on 27 May 1993 and was originally a subsidiary of Flamingo Land Ltd...
hosts this ride. - Finland Suomen Tivoli hosts this ride.
- New Zealand – Two are owned by Mahons Amusements, mobile.
- Canada – One is owned by Hinchey's Rides and Amusements, and one is owned by Puck's Farm near TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
In Media
- A Gravitron with nearly all original factory cosmetics can be seen in operation in Chaka Khan's "Love Of A Lifetime" (1986) video. Several dancers are seen performing in front of the ride. The video was shot at Long Island's Adventureland amusement park (the same park the 2009 movie of the same name was based on). In the early 90's the ride was removed from the park.