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John A. Miller

American roller coaster designer (1872–1941) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with John A. Millar.

John A. Miller, born August John Mueller (1872 – June 24, 1941), was an American roller coaster designer and builder, inventor, and businessman. Miller patented over 100 key roller coaster components,[1] and is widely considered the "father of the modern high-speed roller coaster."[2] During his lifetime, he participated in the design of approximately 150 coasters[3] and was a key business partner and mentor to other well-known roller coaster designers, including Harry C. Baker and John C. Allen.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
John A. Miller
Born
August John Mueller

1872 (1872)[1]
Homewood, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 24, 1941(1941-06-24) (aged 68–69)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationRoller coaster engineer
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Biography

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Early life

Miller was born in Homewood, Illinois, in 1872 and worked as a coaster builder from 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]

In 1910, Miller 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 the distinctive clinkety-clank sound commonly heard on the lift hills of wooden coasters.

Thumb
A roller coaster wheel assembly. The underfriction wheels are on the bottom. The three sets of wheels clamp onto the track.

Miller's most important contribution to roller 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 designers to incorporate very steep drops, sharp horizontal and vertical curves, and high speeds.[1] These are found on nearly every modern 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. Dip-Lo-Docus (c. 1923), billed as "The Jazz Ride", featured revolving three-seater cars, whereas 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 and death

Although many of his most famous roller coasters were built during the 1920s, Miller never stopped building roller 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 roller coaster project at Playland Park in Houston, Texas, at the age of 69.[5]

Roller coasters

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During his lifetime, Miller designed or contributed to the design of approximately 150 roller coasters.[3]

More information Name, Park ...
NameParkLocationOpenedClosedRef(s)
GreyhoundLakewood FairgroundsAtlanta, GA19151974[8]
Jack RabbitRiverview ParkDes Moines, IA19151919[9]
Dip-Lo-DocusOlympic ParkIrvington, NJ1923 ?[10]
CyclonePuritas SpringsCleveland, OH19281958[11]
GreyhoundCeloron ParkJamestown, NY19241959[12]
Flying TurnsEuclid Beach ParkCleveland, OH19291969[13]
Ravine FlyerWaldameer ParkErie, PA19221938[14]
ThunderboltRevere BeachRevere, MA19211930[15]
ThunderboltConey IslandNew York, NY19251982[a][16]
Beach CoasterOcean View Pavilion Amusement ParkJacksonville, FL19281949[b][17]
Screechin' EagleLeSourdsville Lake Amusement ParkMiddletown, OH19282002[c][18][19]
LegendArnolds ParkArnolds Park, IA1930[d]—[20]
RacerKennywoodPittsburgh, PA1927—[21]
Jack RabbitKennywoodPittsburgh, PA1920—[22]
Thunderbolt[e]KennywoodPittsburgh, PA1924—[23]
Big DipperBlackpool Pleasure BeachBlackpool, England1923—[24]
Big DipperGeauga LakeAurora, OH19252007[f][25]
Classic CoasterWashington State FairPuyallup, WA1935—[26]
Jack Rabbit[g]Seabreeze Amusement ParkRochester, NY1920—[27]
Roller Coaster[h]Lagoon Amusement ParkFarmington, UT1921—[28]
Zippin Pippin[i]Bay Beach Amusement ParkGreen Bay, WI1912—[29]
The Wild One[j]Six Flags AmericaLargo, MD1917—[30][31]
Jack RabbitClementon ParkClementon, NJ19192002[k][32]
DipsBuckroe Beach ParkHampton, VA19201985[33]
Screem Machine[l]Splash Zone Water ParkWildwood, NJ19191984[34]
The Big BeastEdgewater ParkDetroit, MI19271981[35]
Speed HoundDon Hanson's Amusement ParkHarveys Lake, PA19311980[36]
Roller CoasterRiverview ParkDes Moines, IA19201978[37]
AlpsWillow Grove ParkWillow Grove, PA19051975[38]
CometSilver Beach Amusement ParkSt. Joseph, MI19241971[m][39]
Thriller[n]Riverside ParkIndianapolis, IN19241970[40][41]
Derby RacerEuclid Beach ParkCleveland, OH19131969[42]
Flying DragonWalled Lake ParkWalled Lake, MI19291968[43]
Jack RabbitNatatorium ParkSpokane, WA19201968[44]
Big DipperRiverview ParkChicago, IL19201967[45]
FireballRiverview ParkChicago, IL19231967[46]
Flying TurnsRiverview ParkChicago, IL19351967[47]
Humming BirdRiverview Beach ParkPennsville, NJ19231967[48]
PippinRiverview ParkChicago, IL19211967[49]
Sea SerpentPacific Ocean ParkSanta Monica, CA19251967[50]
DipsBuckeye Lake Amusement ParkBuckeye Lake, OH19241958[o][51][52]
GiantWinnipeg BeachManitoba, Canada19191964[p][53]
SkyrocketFairyland ParkKansas City, MO19231966[54]
Aero DipsEuclid Beach ParkCleveland, OH19091965[55]
Jet Star[q]Olympic ParkIrvington, NJ19251965[56]
Deep Dip CoasterFair ParkNashville, TN19241964[57]
Gee WizRiverview ParkChicago, IL19121963[58]
Crystal FlyerCrystal Beach ParkVermilion, OH19261962[59]
Big DipperJefferson BeachSt. Clair Shores, MI19271959[60]
CometChain of Rocks Amusement ParkSt. Louis, MO19261958[61]
CycloneLake Ariel Amusement Park19281955
Derby RacerCentral Park19121951
RocketLakeworth Park19301951
Sky RocketSteeplechase Island-19211951
Velvet RacerGhost Town on the River19361951
Pippin CoasterRocky Glen ParkMoosic, PA19241950
Mountain Dips CoasterRocky Glen ParkMoosic, PA19201939
CycloneDandiLion Park19291949
Deep DipperCarlin's Park19191949
Racer DipBay Shore Park19201947
SkyrocketMeyer's Lake Park19241946
Triple Racing CoasterState Fair of Texas19361946
SkyrocketPalisades Amusement ParkFort Lee, NJ19261944
Giant CoasterCentral Park19211942
Jack RabbitKeansburg Amusement Park19311941
WildcatEnna Jettick Park19211941
Flying TurnsSteeplechase Park19341939
GreyhoundHazle Park19231939
ThunderboltMoxahala Amusement Park19281939
Whoopee Baby ScenicNeptune Beach19271939
Whoopee CoasterNeptune Beach19291939
WildcatMerrimack ParkMethuen, MA19211938
Derby RacerLakeside Amusement Park19111937
Jack RabbitCapital Beach Park19181936
Racing DerbyGhost Town on the River19101936
Gorge RideCascade ParkNew Castle, PA19221935
Flying TurnsCentury of Progress19331934
CycloneChester Park19271935
Some KickVenice Amusement Pier19231934
Big DipperRoton Point19141933
CometPacific CitySan Mateo County, CA19231933[r][62]
FlashRiverside ParkIndianapolis, IN19241970[63]
FlashWhite CityChicago, IL19281933
GreyhoundRiverside Amusement ParkAgawam, MA19151933
LightningRiverside Amusement ParkAgawam, MA19201933
Racing CoasterWhite CityChicago, IL19101933
DevilLiberty Pier19251932
Jack RabbitRiverview ParkChicago, IL19141932
Derby RacerRiverview ParkChicago, IL19101931
Big DipperKrug Park19181930
Jack Rabbit RacerQueens Park19151930
Jack RabbitPaxtang ParkHarrisburg, PA19231929
PippinLuna ParkCleveland, OH19231929
Roller CoasterArnolds Park19221929
Big DipperIdora ParkOakland, CA19221928
Giant CoasterHarlem Park19121928
GreyhoundIsland Beach Park19221928
Jack RabbitPlayland Park19281928
SkyrocketIdora ParkOakland, CA19271928
ThrillerExposition Park19261928
Big DipperGordon Gardens19221927
Jack RabbitRocky Springs Park19181927
RacerKennywoodPittsburgh, PA19101926
Cannon BallRiverview ParkChicago, IL19191925
CometPalisades Amusement ParkFort Lee, NJ19211925
Jack RabbitRevere BeachRevere, MA19161924
ZipLick Pier19221924
Blue StreakRiverview ParkChicago, IL19111923
Chase through the CloudsSilver Beach Amusement Park19051923
Speed-O-PlaneKennywoodPittsburgh, PA19111923
Deep DipperFrederick Road Park19201922
Giant Coaster DipsEast End Park19131922
Leap the DipsForest Park19071922
Great Mountain RideForest Park Highlands19121921
The GorgeCascade ParkNew Castle, PA19031921
Royal Gorge Scenic RailwayRiverview ParkChicago, IL19081920
Jack RabbitRiverview ParkChicago, IL19151919
Velvet CoasterRiverview ParkChicago, IL19091919
Scenic RailwayWhite CityChicago, IL19051916
Figure EightSeabreeze19031915
Royal Dip CoasterPlayland Park19151915
Dip The DipsClyffside Park19091913
Pikes Peak Scenic RailwayRiverview ParkChicago, IL19071911
Scenic RailwayKennywoodPittsburgh, PA19041910
Scenic RailwayErie Beach Park19101930
Deep DipsOlympic Park1920 ?
Derby RacerElectric Park ? ?
DipsLiberty Park ? ?
Figure 8Hague Park ? ?
Giant CoasterLakewood Park19231982
GreyhoundStanley Park ?
L.A. Thompson Scenic RailwayLake Erie Park & Casino ? ?
PippinWildwood Park ? ?
Racer DipsForest Park Highlands19201940
Roller CoasterWoodlawn Park1922 ?
Scenic RailwayGhost Town on the River1905 ?
SidewinderLegend City19681983
Sky RocketConey IslandCincinnati, OH19211944
Skyline TwisterRolling Green Park19281972
Velvet CoasterWoodside Park1925 ?
Velvet CoasterLakeside Amusement Park1908 ?
SkyrocketPlayland Park[s]Houston, TX19241963[64][65][66]
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  1. Dismantled in 2000
  2. Dismantled in 1950
  3. Dismantled in 2011; remnants sent to the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives (NRCMA) in Arlington, Texas.
  4. The official clam is 1927, but RCDB research supports 1930
  5. Originally named Pippin, it was redesigned in 1968 by Andy Vettel
  6. Dismantled on October 17, 2016
  7. Partially destroyed in a fire in 1923 and rebuilt
  8. Referred to as White Roller Coaster by locals
  9. Was originally located at East End Park and later Libertyland before being relocated to Bay Beach Amusement Park
  10. Originally named "The Giant Coaster" when it was located at Paragon Park in Hull, MA (1917–1985), it was redesigned in 1932 by Herbert Schmeck after being partially destroyed in a fire
  11. Removed in 2007
  12. Formerly known as Jack Rabbit (1919–1975)
  13. Removed in 1975
  14. Original in 1914 was moved/rebuilt in 1924 and considered a new ride
  15. Remained standing until 1966, until it was destroyed in a storm that blew it over into the lake.
  16. Removed in 1966
  17. Badly damaged in a storm in 1950, it was redesigned/rebuilt by PTC's Herbert Schmeck and reopened in 1952
  18. SBNO from 1924 to 1933, when it was torn down
  19. Relocated from Luna Park, Houston (1924-1934)

Patents

More information Number, Date ...
NumberDateDescription
13,5881913, July 1reissue
979,8751910, December 27
979,9821910, December 27
979,9831910, December 27Braking Apparatus
979,9841910, December 27Chain Dog
1,037,9571912, September 10
1,037,9581912, September 10
1,038,1741912, September 10
1,038,1751912, September 10
1,062,8381913, May 27
1,062,8391913, May 27
1,076,7791913, October 28
1,319,8881919, October 28Underfriction Wheel
1,373,7541921, April 5
1,380,7301921, June 7
1,380,7311921, June 7
1,380,7321921, June 7
1,409,7501922, February 14
1,409,7511922, February 14
1,415,1871922, May 9
1,438,4521922, December 12
1,448,7631923, May 20
1,448,7641923, May 20
1,476,9951923, December 11
1,501,0601924, July 15
1,501,0611924, July 15Track construction
1,536,1221925, May 5Track construction
1,536,4481925, May 5Coaster with tight turns
1,539,0941925, May 26Ferris Wheel
1,562,0351925, November 17Pleasure Railway Car
1,562,0361925, November 17Pleasure Railway Structure
1,591,7221926, July 6Amusement Structure
1,593,5871926, July 27Pleasure Railway Structure
1,605,3691926, November 2Truck for Pleasure Railway Cars
1,606,7691926, November 16Roof Structure
1,606,7701926, November 16Handle-bar Structure
1,607,7711926, November 23Water-chute Structure
1,613,1181927, January 4Pleasure Railway Structure
1,629,5201927, May 24Pleasure Railway Structure
1,645,2021927, October 11Roof Structure
1,656,2181928, January 17Pleasure Railway Car
1,825,4681931, September 29Pleasure Railway Structure
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References

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