John C. Allen
Roller coaster designer
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The basics
Quick Facts
| Intro | Roller coaster designer | |
| was | Designer | |
| Work field | Arts Creativity | |
| Gender |
| |
| Birth | 21 May 1907, Philadelphia | |
| Death | 17 August 1979 (aged 72 years) |
The details
Biography
John C. Allen (May 21, 1907 – August 17, 1979) was a roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters which began in the 1970s. He attended Drexel University. He started working for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1934 as a coaster operator and rose to become president of the company by 1954. He has designed over 25 coasters and has made significant contributions to roller coaster technology. He once said, "You don't need a degree in engineering to design roller coasters, you need a degree in psychology."
Surviving John Allen Coasters
| Name | Location | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Volcano | Angela Park (amusement park) | 1956 |
| Jet Flyer/Sea Dragon | Gooding Zoo Park/Wyandot Lake/Jungle Jack's Landing | 1956 |
| Tornado | Wedgewood Village | 1960 |
| Skyliner | Lakemont Park | 1960 |
| Golden Nugget Mine/Black Diamond | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 1960 |
| Starliner | Miracle Strip/Cypress Gardens | 1963 |
| Giant Coaster/The Wild One | Six Flags America | 1963 |
| Blue Streak | Cedar Point | 1964 |
| Swamp Fox | Grand Strand Park/Family Kingdom | 1966 |
| Cannon Ball | Lake Winnepesaukah | 1967 |
| Zingo | Bell's Amusement Park | 1968 |
| Great American Scream Machine | Six Flags Over Georgia | 1973 |
| Rebel Yell | Kings Dominion | 1975 |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Dominion | 1975 |
| Screamin' Eagle | Six Flags St. Louis | 1976 |
| The Racer | Kings Island | 1972 |
| Woodstock Express | Kings Island | 1972 |