Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries Company, which built numerous amusement rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and traveling funfairs.
Early years
Anton Schwarzkopf was introduced into the industry with his father's involvement with the design of specialized trailers used to transport circus equipment. Around 1954, the company transitioned into creating amusement rides.Career
In 1957, Anton Schwarzkopf built his first attraction, the Düsenspirale, a roller coaster that traveled around Germany with funfair showman Löffelhardt. In 1960, he took over his father's company, leading to the creation of his first full scale steel roller coaster, The Wildcat, in 1964. In 1970, the first Jet Star II was built for German showman Rick. This ride was the first of many built by the company to feature an electric spiral lift hill. But 1976, Schwarzkopf, along with ride engineer Werner Stengel, created one of their most ground breaking attractions, the famous Revolution roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, the first steel roller coaster ever fitted with a vertical loop. This led to the looping roller coaster becoming one of Schwarzkopf's signature attractions, with a few notable examples following soon after: King Kobra at Kings Dominion in Virginia in 1977, both the world's first Shuttle Loop and launched roller coaster, Shockwave at Six Flags Over Texas in 1978, Schwarzkopf's first double loop roller coaster, and the Looping Star in Germany, the first traveling looping roller coaster, which also opened in 1978.Schwarzkopf Industries grew rapidly with the vast support of various customers praising the company's creations. Throughout the 1970s and notably the 80s, the company became quite a popular name at carnivals, particularly those in Western Europe, producing a number of extremely large transportable rides during this time, including Alpina Bahn in 1983, Dreier Looping in 1984, Thriller in 1986, and Olympia Looping in 1989, all of which premiered in Germany. Outside of Germany, the company was represented by the Intamin firm, and as a result, many older rides credited to Intamin were actually designed and created by Schwarzkopf. Unfortunately, Anton Schwarzkopf's prowess as a businessman was relatively lacking, and his company suffered through several bankruptcies, resulting in the scrapping of many designs and deals with parks. Thriller was the last ride to built by the company before it shut in the mid-late 80's, with portions of the ride being completed by BHS, who, along with Zierer, constructed a few Schwarzkopf designs in the late 80's, including the Bavarian Mountain Railroad roller coasters and the before mentioned Olympia Looping.
Although Schwarzkopf is most famous for roller coasters, the company also produced a number of popular flat rides, including the Bayern Kurve, the Enterprise, and the Monster.
Anton Schwarzkopf retired from the industry in 1995, and died on 30 July 2001, after suffering from Parkinson's disease for many years.
Legacy
There are a number of notable people from the amusement industry who have either worked with or have relations to Anton Schwarzkopf. His brother, Franz Schwarzkopf, was also a ride designer at around the same time as Anton, and designed many staples of the both amusement parks and carnivals alike, such as the Wave Swinger. Anton's son Wieland Schwarzkopf became involved with the industry as well, starting out at Schwarzkopf and later starting his own business in 1984. Wieland's company mostly provided parts and services for his father's rides, but had a few of its own attractions, such as the Sound Factory, a short-lived version of the popular Monster ride with looping cars. Werner Stengel got his start with the Schwarzkopf company and later went on to become one of the most prestigious designers of roller coasters and amusement rides. He was still heavily involved with most of Schwarzkopf's attractions. Hubert Gerstlauer, founder and namesake of Gerstlauer Amuesment Rides GmbH, was an employee of Schwarzkopf before starting his own company in 1982. Gerstlauer's manufacturing is still done at the former Schwarzkopf facility in Münsterhausen, Bavaria.Despite their age and shrinking numbers, Schwarzkopf rides are still very popular with both guests and operators alike. Many Schwarzkopf attractions have become icons of the parks they are located at, such as Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Whizzer at Six Flags Great America, both of which have received the American Coaster Enthusiasts "Coaster Landmark" award. Roller coaster enthusiasts often praise Schwarzkopf roller coasters for their smoothness, notable intensity, and overall beauty.
List of roller coasters
As of 2019, Schwarzkopf has built 149 roller coasters around the world.| Name | Model | Park | Country | Opened | Status | Ref |
| JetStar | Jet Star | Parque de la Ciudad |  Argentina | |||
| Katapulta | Katapult | Selva Mágica |  Mexico | |||
| Super 8 | Wildcat 54m | Fyns Tivoli |  Denmark | |||
| Rollercoaster Formerly Traumlandbahn Formerly Münchner Bahn | Münchner Bahn | Future World Movie Park Germany Beekse Bergen |  Thailand | 1987 to 1991 | ||
| Jet-Star II | Jet Star 2 | Wiener Prater |  Austria | |||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Six Flags Great Adventure Canadian National Exhibition |  United States | |||
| Big Bend | Speed Racer / Extended Jumbo Jet | Six Flags St. Louis Six Flags Over Texas | United States | 1971 to 1979 | ||
| Greased Lightnin' Formerly Tidal Wave | Shuttle Loop | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom California's Great America | United States | 1977 to 2002 | ||
| Runaway Train | Alpenblitz II | Ocean Beach Amusement Park |  United Kingdom | |||
| Alpenblitz | Alpenblitz II | Gorky Park |  Russia | |||
| City Jet | City Jet / Jet 400 | Shaheen's Fun-O-Rama Park | United States | |||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Serengeti Park |  Germany | |||
| City Jet | City Jet / Jet 400 | All Star Adventures Gillian's Wonderland Pier Steel Pier | United States | 1976 to 2004 Unknown | ||
Formerly Tornado | Jet Star 2 | Beto Carrero World Playcenter São Paulo |  Brazil | 1982 | ||
| Düsenspirale | Wiener Prater | Austria | 1964 | |||
| Super 8 | Wildcat 65m | Liseberg |  Sweden | 1966 | ||
| WildCat | Wildcat 65m | Six Flags New England | United States | 1968 | ||
| Skovtrolden | Tivoli Gardens | Denmark | 1969 | |||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Palisades Amusement Park | United States | 1969 | ||
| 7 Picos | Wildcat 54m | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid |  Spain | 1969 | ||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Casino Pier | United States | 1970 | ||
| Jet Star | City Jet / Jet 400 | Drievliet |  Netherlands | 1970 | ||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Spain | 1970 | ||
| Wild Cat | Wildcat 45m | Luna Park |  Australia | 1970 | ||
| Achterbahn | Wildcat 65m | Spreepark | Germany | 1970 | ||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Great Adventure Amusement Park | United States | 1971 | ||
| Super 8 | Wildcat 65m | Kölner Tivoli | Germany | 1971 | ||
| Wildcat | Wildcat 54m | Fantasy Island | United States | 1972 | ||
| Super Big Gulp | Jet Star 2 | Playland |  Canada | 1972 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Great Adventure Amusement Park | United States | 1973 | ||
| Schussboomer | Wildcat 54m | Worlds of Fun | United States | 1973 | ||
| Gebirgsbahn Formerly Bob 1 Formerly Bobbahn 1 | Phantasialand | Germany | 1975 | |||
| City Jet | City Jet / Jet 400 | Morey's Piers | United States | 1975 | ||
| Jet 400 | City Jet / Jet 400 | Jolly Roger at the Pier | United States | 1975 | ||
| Whizzer Formerly Willard's Whizzer | Speed Racer / Extended Jumbo Jet | Six Flags Great America | United States | 1976 | ||
| Whizzer Formerly Willard's Whizzer | Speed Racer / Extended Jumbo Jet | California's Great America | United States | 1976 | ||
| Jet Star 2 | Jet Star 2 | Lagoon Riverfront Park | United States | 1976 1974 | ||
| Achtbaan | Wildcat 45m | Bobbejaanland |  Belgium | 1976 | ||
| Alpen Blitz | Alpenblitz II | Six Flags Great Adventure | United States | 1976 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Morey's Piers | United States | 1976 | ||
| New Revolution Formerly Revolution Formerly La Revolución Formerly Great American Revolution | Six Flags Magic Mountain | United States | 1976 | |||
| Jet Set | Jet Star | Funtown Pier | United States | 1977 | ||
| SooperDooperLooper | Hersheypark | United States | 1977 | |||
| Grand Canyon Bahn | Alpenblitz II | Phantasialand | Germany | 1978 | ||
| Screamin' Demon | Wildcat 54m | Poconos' Magic Valley and Winona Five Falls | United States | 1978 | ||
| Wild Rider | Wildcat 54m | Six Flags Great Adventure | United States | 1978 | ||
| Mind Bender | Six Flags Over Georgia | United States | 1978 | |||
| Shock Wave | Six Flags Over Texas | United States | 1978 | |||
| Montezooma's Revenge | Shuttle Loop | Knott's Berry Farm | United States | 1978 | ||
| City Jet | City Jet / Jet 400 | Kid's World | United States | 1978 | ||
| Wildcat | Wildcat 65m | Cedar Point | United States | 1979 | ||
| Looping Star | Looping Star | Bobbejaanland | Belgium | 1979 | ||
| Alpenblitz | Alpenblitz II | Bobbejaanland | Belgium | 1979 | ||
| Shuttle Loop | Shuttle Loop | Yokohama Dreamland |  Japan | 1979 | ||
| Achterbahn | Wildcat 45m | Spreepark | Germany | 1979 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Coney Island Steeplechase Park | United States | 1980 1972 to 1979 | ||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Särkänniemi Amusement Park |  Finland | 1980 | ||
| Shuttle Loop | Shuttle Loop | Nagashima Spa Land | Japan | 1980 | ||
| Katapult | Katapult | Morey's Piers | United States | 1980 | ||
| Nessie | Looping Racer | Hansa Park | Germany | 1980 | ||
| Scorpion | Silverarrow | Busch Gardens Tampa | United States | 1980 | ||
| Jumbo Jet Formerly Radar | Wildcat 54m | Ölands Djur & Nöjespark Gröna Lund | Sweden | 1981 1965 to 1981 | ||
| Oasis Express | Kuwait Entertainment City |  Kuwait | 1981 | |||
| Double Loop | Kobe Portopialand | Japan | 1981 | |||
| Psyké Underground Formerly Turbine Formerly Sirocco | Shuttle Loop | Walibi Belgium | Belgium | 1982 | ||
| Looping Star | Looping Star | Nagashima Spa Land | Japan | 1982 | ||
| Jet Star II | Jet Star 2 | Gröna Lund | Sweden | 1982 | ||
| Zyklon | City Jet / Jet 400 | Gardaland |  Italy | 1982 | ||
| Wild Cat | Wildcat 54m | Parque de la Ciudad | Argentina | 1982 | ||
| Aconcagua | Parque de la Ciudad | Argentina | 1983 | |||
| Alpen Blitz | Alpenblitz II | Parque de la Ciudad | Argentina | 1983 | ||
| Colossus the Fire Dragon | Double Looping | Lagoon | United States | 1983 | ||
| Tig'rr Coaster Formerly Jet Star | Jet Star | Indiana Beach Holiday Beach | United States | 1984 1976 to 1983 | ||
| Wild Cat | Wildcat 65m | Keansburg Amusement Park | United States | 1984 | ||
| Jet Star | Atlas Park | United Kingdom | 1984 | |||
| Mindbender | Galaxyland Amusement Park | Canada | 1985 | |||
| Wildcat | Wildcat 65m | Washington State Fair | United States | 1985 | ||
| Silver Bullet Formerly Looping Star | Looping Star | Frontier City Jolly Roger Amusement Park State Fair of Texas | United States | 1986 1984 to 1985 1980 to 1983 | ||
| Alpenblitz | Alpenblitz II | Movie Park Germany | Germany | 1986 | ||
| Black Hole | Jet Star | Avonturenpark Hellendoorn | Netherlands | 1986 | ||
| Raptor Attack Formerly Rat Ride | Wildcat 45m | Lightwater Valley | United Kingdom | 1987 | ||
| Lisebergbanan | Liseberg | Sweden | 1987 | |||
| Jetline Formerly Berg- och Dalbanan | Gröna Lund | Sweden | 1988 | |||
| Viper Formerly Jet Scream | Looping Star | Six Flags AstroWorld Six Flags St. Louis | United States | 1989 1981 to 1988 | ||
| Golden Loop Formerly White Lightnin' | Shuttle Loop | Gold Reef City Carowinds |  South Africa | 1989 1977 to 1988 | ||
| Alpen Blitz | Alpenblitz II | Playcenter São Paulo | Brazil | 1989 | ||
| Shuttle Loop | Shuttle Loop | Oyama Yuenchi | Japan | 1990 | ||
| Turbo Mountain Formerly Geronimo | Jet Star 2 | Adventure World Luna Park | Australia | 1991 1982 to 1988 | ||
| Speed Bobsleigh Formerly Jet Star II | Jet Star 2 | Nasu Highland Park Hanshin Park | Japan | 1992 1977 to 1979 | ||
| Katapult | Katapult | Linnanmäki | Finland | 1992 | ||
| Lasso Loop Formerly Katapult | Katapult | OK Corral Parque de Atracciones de Madrid Splash Zone Water Park |  France | 1993 1990 to 1993 1985 to 1989 | ||
| Montaña Rusa Formerly Wildcat Formerly Mountain Express | Wildcat 65m | Bosque Mágico Magic Landing Six Flags Magic Mountain | Mexico | 1993 1984 to 1990 1973 to 1982 | ||
| Cascabel 2.0 Formerly Cascabel Formerly Laser Loop | Shuttle Loop | La Feria Chapultepec Magico Kennywood | Mexico | 1994 1980 to 1990 | ||
| Coleoz'Arbres Formerly Jet Star | Jet Star | Bagatelle | France | 1994 | ||
| Montanha Russa | Wildcat 54m | Mirabilandia | Brazil | 1994 | ||
| Cannonball Express Formerly Enigma Formerly Super Figure Eight Formerly Jumbo 5 | Jumbo V | Pleasurewood Hills Funland Park Meli Park | United Kingdom | 1995 late 80s to 1995 1984 to late 80s | ||
| Cyclone | Wildcat 54m | Sandspit Cavendish Beach Rocky Point Park | Canada | 1996 1984 to 1995 | ||
| Silberpfeil | Katapult | Skyline Park | Germany | 1997 | ||
| Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon Formerly Nightmare at Phantom Cave Formerly Starchaser | Jet Star | Great Escape Six Flags Darien Lake Kentucky Kingdom Beech Bend | United States | 1999 1996 to 1998 1987 to 1995 Unknown | ||
| Katapul Formerly Thunderlooper Formerly King Kobra | Shuttle Loop | Hopi Hari Alton Towers Jolly Roger Amusement Park Kings Dominion | Brazil | 1999 1990 to 1996 1987 to 1989 1977 to 1986 | ||
| Montaña Rusa Formerly Zambezi Zinger | Speed Racer / Extended Jumbo Jet | Parque Del Café Worlds of Fun |  Colombia | 1999 1973 to 1997 | ||
| Comet II Formerly Montagnes Russes | Wildcat 65m | State Fair of Texas Old Indiana Fun-n-Water Park La Ronde | United States | 1999 1985 to 1996 1967 to 1984 | ||
| Nostalgische Achterbahn Formerly Achterbahn | Wildcat 65m | Skyline Park | Germany | 1999 | & | |
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Luna Park La Palmyre Morey's Piers Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort | France | 2000 1993 to 1999 1977 to 1992 | ||
| Tornado Formerly Glissade | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Selva Mágica La Feria Chapultepec Magico Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Mexico | 2002 1993 to 2001 1975 to 1985 | ||
| Jet Star 2 | Jet Star 2 | Vaikų Pasaulis Gorky Park |  Lithuania | 2002 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Xinghai Square |  China | 2003 | ||
| Greezed Lightnin' Formerly Viper Formerly Tidal Wave | Shuttle Loop | Kentucky Kingdom Six Flags Over Georgia Six Flags Great America | United States | 2003 1995 to 2001 1978 to 1991 | ||
| Alpina Bobs Formerly Cortina Bob | Jet Star | Holly Park Wiener Prater | France | 2003 1969 to 1993 | ||
| Big Roller Coaster Formerly Andalusia Railroad | Wonder Island Kure Portopialand | Russia | 2004 1991 to 1997 | |||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Luna Park |  Poland | 2004 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Amigoland Walibi Belgium | France | 2005 1978 to 1991 | ||
| Wildcat Unknown | Fun Park Fyn | Denmark | 2005 | |||
Formerly Greezed Lightnin' | Shuttle Loop | Joyland Amusement Park Six Flags AstroWorld | United States | 2006 1978 to 2005 | ||
| Quimera Formerly Montaña Triple Loop Formerly Montaña Infinitum Formerly Magnum Force Formerly Triple Loop Coaster | La Feria Chapultepec Magico Flamingo Land Sunway Lagoon | Mexico | 2007 2000 to 2005 1997 to 1999 | & | ||
| Wildcat Wild Cat Formerly Die Wildkatze | Wildcat 54m | Adventure Park USA Williams Grove Amusement Park Steel Pier Playland Park Busch Gardens Williamsburg | United States | 2007 2001 to 2005 1994 to 1999 1984 to 1991 1976 to 1983 | ||
| Knightmare Formerly BMRX Formerly Bavarian Mountain Railroad | Camelot Theme Park Kobe Portopialand | United Kingdom | 2007 1987 to 2006 | |||
| Alpen Blitz | Alpenblitz II | Queens Land |  India | 2007 | ||
| Avalanche Formerly Wildcat | Wildcat 54m | Jolly Roger Amusement Park Bell's Amusement Park | United States | 2008 1974 to 1997 | ||
| Roller Coaster Formerly Ripper Formerly Jet Star | Jet Star | Lazarevskoye Park Thrill-Ville USA Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Russia | 2008 1993 to 2007 1972 to 1991 | ||
| Tsunami Formerly Zonga Formerly Texas Tornado Formerly Taz's Texas Tornado Formerly Thriller | Isla San Marcos Parque Temático Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags AstroWorld Gröna Lund | Mexico | 2008 2003 to 2004 1998 to 2000 1996 | |||
| Jet Star | Jet Star | Aventura Park Aventura Park Spreepark |  Peru | 2009 2002 to 2008 1970 to 2001 | ||
| Jet Star 3 | Jet Star 2 | Lunapark Robland Parken Zoo | Poland | 2009 2001 to 2008 | ||
| Tornado Formerly Space Mountain Formerly New Beast Formerly Alton Beast | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Salitre Magico Divertido Alton Towers | Colombia | 2010 1998 to 2004 1992 to 1997 | ||
| Vertigo Formerly Looping Star | Looping Star | Zoomarine Luneur Park Plutón Park Parque de Atracciones de Madrid OK Corral Southport Pleasureland Freizeitpark Kirchhorst | Italy | 2010 2002 to 2007 2000 to 2001 1992 to 1998 1988 to 1991 1985 to 1987 1979 to 1984 | ||
| Brontojet Formerly Slitherin' Formerly Viper | City Jet / Jet 400 | Movieland Park Loudoun Castle Lightwater Valley | Italy | 2010 2002 to 2004 1996 to 2001 | ||
| Gwazi Formerly Looping Star Formerly Thunder Loop Express | Looping Star | Lion Park Resort Holnemvolt Park Loudoun Castle Dreamland |  Botswana | 2011 2001 to 2009 1995 to 1998 | ||
| Wildcat | Wildcat 65m | North Georgia State Fair | United States | 2011 | ||
| Rocket Formerly Black Hole Formerly Black Hole II Formerly New Black Hole | Jet Star 2 | Furuvik Alton Towers | Sweden | 2011 1983 to 2005 | ||
| Looping Star | Silverarrow | Rand Show | South Africa | 2012 | ||
| Frozen | City Jet / Jet 400 | Attrapark Attrapark Sokolniki Park | Russia | 2013 2010 to 2013 2003 to 20110 | ||
| Roller Coaster Formerly Super 8 | Wildcat 54m | Central Park Chelyuskintsev Park Chelyuskintsev Park |  Kazakhstan | 2013 2009 to 2012 1974 to 2008 | ||
| Bullet Formerly Wiener Looping | Shuttle Loop | Selva Mágica Flamingo Land Boardwalk and Baseball Wiener Prater | Mexico | 2013 1991 to 2005 1984 to 1990 1982 | ||
| Wildcat 54m | City Games |  Iraq | 2013 | |||
| Death Train Formerly Katapult | Katapult | Marah Land Mirabilandia |  Oman | 2016 2006 | ||
| Jumbo Jet | Jet Star 3 / Jumbo Jet | Chelyuskintsev Park Dreamland Beoland Malmö Folkets Park Palace Playland Cedar Point |  Belarus | 2015 2010 to 2014 2003 to 2006 1985 to 1989 Unknown 1972 to 1978 | ||
| Wildcat Formerly Rails Formerly Wild Rails | Wildcat 65m | Jolly Roger Amusement Park Valleyfair Cedar Point | United States | 2015 1999 to 2001 1979 to 1998 1970 to 1978 | & | |
| Looping Star Formerly Lisebergs Loopen | Looping Star | Ita Park Playcenter São Paulo Liseberg | Brazil | 2016 1996 to 2012 1980 to 1995 | ||
| Big Blue Formerly Twist and Shout Formerly Looping Star Formerly Tower of Terror Silberpfeil | Silverarrow | Fun Park Mirnovec Loudoun Castle Dreamland Camelot Theme Park Ocean Beach Amusement Park OK Corral |  Croatia | 2017 2003 to 2010 2001 to 2002 1989 to 2000 1986 to 1988 1980 to 1985 | ||
| Bobsleigh Formerly Course De Bobsleigh Formerly Jumbo Jet | City Jet / Jet 400 | Parc de la Vallée Nigloland Drayton Manor | France | 2018 1995 to 2017 1981 to 1983 | ||
| Alpen-Coaster Formerly Himalayabahn | Wildcat 54m | Zoo Safaripark Stukenbrock Schwaben Park | Germany | 2018 1989 to 2015 | ||
| Olympia Looping | Wiener Prater Wiener Prater | Austria | 2018 2016 | |||
| Looping Star Formerly Thunder Loop Formerly Looping Star Formerly Superachtbaan Looping Star | Looping Star | Parko Paliatso Luna Park Attractiepark Slagharen |  Cyprus | 2018 1979 to 2016 | ||
| Jet | Jet Star | Babyland-Amiland | France | 2019 | ||
| Teststrecke Formerly Laser Formerly Colossus | Double Looping | Wiener Prater Dorney Park Playcenter São Paulo | Austria | 2019 1986 to 2008 1981 to 1986 |
List of other attractions
- Giant wheel- Cedar Point Ohio
- Orbit - Six Flags Great America, formerly the Orleans Orbit upon opening of Marriott's Great America. Operated from 1976 to 2016.
- Orbit - California's Great America.
- Wheelie - Six Flags Over Georgia, Operated from 1977-2012. Removed to make room for SkyScreamer, Now at Funspot in Orlando.
- Enterprise - Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Bayern Kurve - Kennywood.
- Berserker - California's Great America.
- Centrifuge - California's Great America.
- Fiddler's Fling - Six Flags Great America.
- The Lobster - Six Flags Great America.
- A Shuttleboat ride at Bobbejaanland, defunct.
- Apollo - Attractiepark Slagharren, one of two originally built at the park, both were converted to swing rides at some point and one of the sides ended up at Loudoun Castle.
- Octopus - Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Sky Tower - Attractiepark Slagharren, later converted into an observation tower.
- Monorail - Attractiepark Slagharren.
- Riesenrad - Famous Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel, owned by showman Willenborg.