Comments on: Show # 310 – Hidden Treasures of Disney’s Boardwalk Resort

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:34:36 +0000

look at this website concerning the history of the Steeplechase Parachute Jump.
http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/index.php?g=hall_of_fame&s=strong

Bruce

By: FrankVC

FrankVC — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:25:20 +0000

The patent list Switlik as the inventor and Strong as the assignee

http://www.google.com/patents/US2111303

From Switlik’s company web page:

http://www.switlik.com/information/ourstory

By: FrankVC

FrankVC — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:08:16 +0000

Multiple sources on the web have about the same story.

http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/ss/Parachute_6.htm

I heard on the Ft Benning tour and it is published in the Ft Benning official tour guide. They were all business partners. The design was modeled after a Russian design. Sorry for the spelling error.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:12:07 +0000

Lieutenant Commander James Hale Strong is credited with building the Parachute Jump for the 1939 Worlds Fair. I never heard any connection between him and Amelia Earhart. You did mean Amelia, not Emelia?

I found Amelia Earhart was married to George Palmer Putnam. There is no connection between him and the Parachute Jump.

Bruce

By: FrankVC

FrankVC — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:51:02 +0000

I think Disney’s Boardwalk needs some parachute towers though (I know this will never happen). But I think the parachute tower at Coney Island is most iconic for me. Built for the 1939 world fair by Emelia Earhart’s husband. She was the first victim, um, student to learn to jump from it. The site in which they built the first one is now the site of Six Flags Great Adventure which I know Lou knows as well as I do growing up near there. The design was sold to both amusement parks and the military. The most iconic military version is of course at Fort Benning, GA and 3 of the 4 four 250′ towers still stand today. They were featured in the movies Jumping Jacks, Green Berets and We Were Soldiers. They also served as the backdrop for when I went to jump school there in 1994. The Disney connection there is my family drove down from NY to see 3 of my 5 jumps and my graduation. We drove all night after graduation and went to WDW for a family vacation.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:52:41 +0000

Michael, we also had rolling chairs here in Coney island. They even tried to bring it back a couple of seasons ago, didnt even last the season.

Bruce

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:59:39 +0000

I just listened to your show about the Boardwalk Resort. As someone who has stayed at the Boardwalk Resort and, moreover, who grew up five miles south of Atlantic City, I enjoyed the show immensely! One minor correction for you. The show referred to the chairs on the Boardwalk as “wheeling chairs.” On the Boardwalk they are referred to as “rolling chairs.” I remember when I was in a play in fifth grade (late 1970s) we learned the words to an old song called “On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.” One of the lines in that song went, as follows: “There in a rolling chair, she’ll roll right into your arms.”

Thanks again for your show — I really enjoy it!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:28:52 +0000

just a interesting side note concerning the Steeplechase ride and its connection to Disneyworld.

When Steeplechase Park closed in the early to mid 60′s, they sold the rides to other theme parks. Pirates World in Florida bought the Steeplechase ride and ran it there till they went out of business in the 70′s because Disneyworld changed where tourists visited places in Florida.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 16:36:46 +0000

Jim, thanks again to the entertainment you provide, the information you enjoy speaking about. If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, First round of Nathans Hot Dogs are on me Just have to wait as they are rebuilding the place due to damage from Sandy. Remember, that Ferris wheel at DCA, we have the original here that has been scaring people since 1920.

By: Jim Korkis

Jim Korkis — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 23:44:08 +0000

To Bruce–Thanks for the kind words. Actually, the Flip Flap Railway never relocated but actually spawned an imitator at Young’s Pier in Atlantic City from 1902-1912. I thought it was the same one but checking my notes at home I discovered it was an almost exact duplicate. But I was right about the G-Force that both provided. Way too dangerous for me. Cast members at the Boardwalk told me that the model was made by he Imagineers but I have no other reference for that. And yes, the Steeplechase horses WERE made of wood. Once again I confused it with a similar ride that used steel. In that era, intellectual property theft was common it seems. I just marvel at those old amusement parks and trolley parks. Thanks for clarifying these things. Lou and I are always a little rushed to get these done and especially in a reasonable amount of time. I left out discussing that one of the game boards in the Belle Vue Lounge was SPE DEM from 1922, a car road race. We’ll try to add your insights, Bruce, when we get around to doing the second park outside. Thanks again.