Harry Traver

Harry Guy Traver (25 November 1877 – 27 September 1961) was an American engineer and early roller coaster designer. Traver was born in Gardner, Illinois. In 1919 he founded the Traver Engineering Company in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, which created amusement rides, including the Tumble Bug, The Caterpillar, Laff in the dark, Auto Ride, and the Circle Swing, a ride similar in concept to the earlier Captive Flying Machines ride popularised in the U... More

Harry Guy Traver (25 November 1877 – 27 September 1961) was an American engineer and early roller coaster designer. Traver was born in Gardner, Illinois. In 1919 he founded the Traver Engineering Company in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, which created amusement rides, including the Tumble Bug, The Caterpillar, Laff in the dark, Auto Ride, and the Circle Swing, a ride similar in concept to the earlier Captive Flying Machines ride popularised in the UK by American-born inventor Sir Hiram Maxim. He died at New Rochelle, New York in 1961. Traver's "Giant Cyclone Safety Coasters" were what made him the most famous (or notorious) of all coaster designers. His most famous coasters were the "terrible trio", all built in 1927. They were: All three shared the same twisted layout. The Prior and Church Century Flyer trains (the Great Coasters International Millennium Flyers are patterned after this rolling stock) left the station, turned 180 degrees, and ascended the lift hill. Coming off the lift,...

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