Tilt-A-Whirl Tribute - One of the best amusement park rides ever invented

Tilt-A-Whirl Tips by Duane Alan Hahn

The Tilt-A-Whirl is a near-perfect blend of chaos and skill. Most amusement park rides have two problems: they are devoid of randomness and your participation usually starts and ends with getting in and holding on. No matter how exciting the ride is, you're usually stuck with what you might call a passive experience. You don't have those problems with the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Tilt-A-Whirl Randomness

You never know which way your car is going to spin. If you sit there and try to do nothing, one minute you could be spinning clockwise and the next minute you're spinning the other way.

Tilt-A-Whirl Control

The person at the controls can affect your spin at certain times if they want to, but skillful riders can also:

Influence the direction of the spin during lulls.
Make their car spin faster.
Help to defuse the spin in some cases if they are riding with someone who starts to feel sick to their stomach.

Tilt-A-Whirl Tip for Newbies

You can try to get your car to spin in the direction you'd like during lulls, but if your car seems to be favoring a certain direction, it's usually best to go with the flow. If you don't fight it and choose to help it along, the ride will usually be more enjoyable since you'll get faster spins.

Tilt-A-Whirl Tips for Wimps

If spinning fast makes you sick, don't get on the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Stay away from the Tilt-A-Whirl if you hate the uncertainty that randomness provides.
When you don't want to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl because of one of the reasons above, but someone talks you into it anyway, watch the cars while standing in line. Sometimes one of the cars will be kind of a dud. It just doesn't seem to want to spin that much. Keep your eye on that car and try to be the first to grab it when you're let in.

Tilt-A-Whirl Links

Image courtesy of Sellner Mfg. Co.

Sellner Manufacturing Company

Builders of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other family amusement rides.

The Science of Fun

Chaos theory and the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Building Up The Tilt-A-Whirl

Images of a Tilt-A-Whirl being put together from start to finish (Lawrie's Carnival and Amusement Park Pages).

Tilt-A-Whirl Chaos I

Part one of two articles about the Tilt-A-Whirl and chaotic systems by Ivars Peterson (Science News Online).

Backup link (MAA Online). Kid Version.

Tilt-A-Whirl Chaos II

Part two of two articles about the Tilt-A-Whirl and chaotic systems by Ivars Peterson (Science News Online).

Backup link (MAA Online).

This small animation was created by Duane Alan Hahn. It's an edited version of Ken Denton's original color video. Used with Ken Denton's permission.

Ken Denton's Tilt-A-Whirl Video

Download a good quality AVI color video of the Tilt-A-Whirl (1.63 MB). This is not a link to a web page, it's a direct download link because it's not displayed on a page anymore, but don't worry, I have permission to link to it.

Chaos at the Amusement Park

Science Frontiers Online.

Tilt-A-Whirl Photo Links

Image courtesy of Sellner Mfg. Co.

David Burton's Amusement Ride Extravaganza

Various images and information.

The Dentons 1st Annual Amusement Park Outing (Mike and Michelle)

Close-up of one car (from this page).

Belmont Park

Side view (Joyrides.com).

Cliffhanger Web Journal

Close-up side view of one car through bars.

Windy City Amusements, Inc.

Two pics, side view and on ride.

Image courtesy of Sellner Mfg. Co.

Midway of Fun

Overhead view.

Hersheypark

Platform level side view (hersheypa.com).

Branson USA

Two pics, side view and car with track (Theme Parks Online).

Fantasy Farm Memorial

Side view.

Midwest Midways

Side view.

Cedar Point

Close-up of one car.

5centride Photos

Following 3 photos courtesy of Sue Nichols from www.5centride.com.

Morey's Pier in Wildwood NJ

Close-up side view of one car.

Morey's Pier in Wildwood NJ

Side and back of two cars.

Morey's Pier in Wildwood NJ

Side view.

Tilt-A-Whirl in the Movies

This is a growing list of movies and TV shows that have a Tilt-A-Whirl in them. If you know of any movies or TV shows not listed here, please let me know.

Sliders: Invasion

Joe Dirt (2001)

Hearts in Atlantis (2001)

Carpool (1996)

Sliders: Invasion (1996) [TV show]

The Net (1995)

The Little Rascals (1994)

Wilder Napalm (1993)

Explorers [car] (1985)

The Twilight Zone: In Praise of Pip (1963) [TV show]

Unbreakable (2000) [DVD only]

At Close Range (1986)