FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (25 Sept. 2018) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) today announced the induction of four attractions industry innovators from Europe — Eugenius Birch, Roland Callingham, Carl Hagenbeck, and Dr. Peter Rosner — into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. The inductions were announced during the Opening Ceremony at Euro Attractions Show (EAS) 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The IAAPA Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work and accomplishments have made significant and lasting contributions to the worldwide attractions industry.
IAAPA Hall of Fame inductions typically take place each year during IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida. In honor of IAAPA’s 100th anniversary, special inductions have taken place during each IAAPA Expo, including Asian Attractions Expo 2018 and Euro Attractions Show 2018. The association inducted this esteemed group of leaders from Europe who have positively shaped both the region and the global attractions industry. They join the ranks of honored industry pioneers in the IAAPA Hall of Fame.
“Today we celebrate our newest group of industry innovators into the IAAPA Hall of Fame,” said Jack Morey, 2018 chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Committee and executive vice president of Morey’s Piers. “Their work, insight, and influence helped to revolutionize the attractions industry, and they each had an impact on the attractions and rides we still enjoy today. We honor these trailblazers for their extraordinary achievements.”
Eugenius Birch, Architect and Civil Engineer, United Kingdom
The seaside amusement pier is one of the most beloved entertainment destinations in the attractions industry. Engineering pioneer Eugenius Birch re-engineered seaside piers and transformed them into family entertainment destinations. Prior to Birch’s innovations, piers were not durable enough to withstand the sea nor the heavy storms that lashed against them. Piers were constantly destroyed and rebuilt and were intended to merely provide pedestrian access to ships and watercraft. In 1853, Eugenius Birch was tasked with creating an amusement pier in Margate near his hometown of London. He fitted screw blades to the bottom of the iron support pilings and screwed them into the ground. With this new approach to engineering the support system, Margate Pier survived 125 years until it was torn down in 1978. Birch went on to become the most prolific and innovative pier builder in the world, creating 14 piers around Great Britain. The newfound strength of seaside piers opened the door to adding amusement rides and transforming them into entertainment destinations. Many of today’s amusement piers around the world were inspired by Birch and his innovations in engineering
Roland Callingham, Creator of Bekonscot, United Kingdom
The hobbies of miniaturization and modeling have existed in one form or another in England since the 16th century, but in 1927 Roland Callingham began turning the hobby into a successful visitor attraction. Today, his Bekonscot Model Village is widely recognized as the world's earliest example of a model village and has inspired countless attractions the world over. Callingham’s creativity, originality, and sense of whimsy led him to create a model village that continued to grow decade after decade, becoming a lifelong project. Similar villages built in larger and smaller scales have been built over the years, but Callingham’s one-twelfth scale has become the universally accepted size for villages and even dollhouses. Callingham’s miniature themed attraction remains as relevant and loved today as it did when he first brought this innovative and playful concept to life.
Carl Hagenbeck, “Father of the Modern Zoo,” Germany
Carl Hagenbeck always had a fondness for animals and was an early advocate for their humane treatment. Without his influence, zoos around the world would not look like they do today. In the late 1800s animals were seen behind iron bars, and often in small enclosures with stark living conditions. Hagenbeck’s vision was to create and design naturalistic enclosures for animals. He developed panoramas that allowed zoos to showcase multiple species arranged in geographic groupings, yet separated them from each other, and their human observers, by natural moats, ditches, and walls. His ideas became reality in 1907 with the opening of Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg, Germany. Zoo attendance increased and animal welfare improved. Today, more than 100 years later, zoo design and animal habitats around the world still resemble Tierpark Hagenbeck which is owned and operated by the sixth generation of the Hagenbeck family.
Dr. Peter Rosner, Developer of Magnetic Braking and Launch Systems, Germany
Dr. Peter Rosner’s use of magnets revolutionized the design of many of today’s most thrilling rides and roller coasters. Of his many innovations, the two with the most far-reaching impact on the global attractions industry are his linear motorized launch systems and magnetic braking systems. The previous technology for roller coaster brakes was based on friction. Skid brakes — and, later, squeeze brakes — were used for years on wooden and steel roller coasters. Because mechanical brakes wear out, and their exposure to the weather requires ongoing maintenance, Dr. Rosner’s magnetic braking system provided the answer. In 1996, Intamin debuted the Hellevator drop tower at Kentucky Kingdom — the first ride to use his magnetic braking system. The fail-safe nature of the magnetic brakes and the lack of mechanical wear and tear allows ride creators to design rides previously not possible due to the old, traditional braking system. In 1996, another one of Dr. Rosner’s innovations debuted at Six Flags Magic Mountain. “Superman: The Escape” was one of the first roller coasters to feature a linear motor launch system, and the electro-magnetic propulsion system has become a commonly-used industry standard for launched roller coasters around the globe.
IAAPA Hall of Fame Honors Those Who Have Made Lasting Contributions to the Global Attractions Industry
The IAAPA Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to honor legends and pioneers for their significant and lasting contributions to the growth and development of the global attractions industry. Over the past 28 years, dozens of industry pioneers from around the world have been inducted to the IAAPA Hall of Fame including Walt Disney (The Walt Disney Company); Milton Hershey (Hersheypark); Dick Knoebel (Knoebels Amusement Resort); Bo Kinntorph (Liseberg); Will Koch (Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari); Jack Lindquist (Disneyland); Franz Mack (Mack Rides/Europa-Park); Bob Rogers (BRC Imagination Arts); Jay Stein (Universal Studios Florida); Geoffrey Thompson (Blackpool Pleasure Beach); Tom Williams (Universal Parks & Resorts); Antonio Zamperla (Zamperla); Philippe de Villiers (Puy du Fou); Henri and Pamela Landwirth (Give Kids The World); and Richard M. Sherman (Iconic Disney Songwriter).
About Euro Attractions Show (EAS)
Euro Attractions Show (EAS) is owned and produced by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and is Europe, Middle East, and Africa’s largest conference and trade show dedicated to the attractions industry. EAS is managed by the IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) office, under the direction of the IAAPA EMEA Regional Advisory Committee, and the IAAPA EMEA Manufacturers and Suppliers Subcommittee.
About IAAPA
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) began as an advocacy office in 1918. Since that time, IAAPA has become the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the global attractions industry. As a non-profit organization, IAAPA represents more than 5,600 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions; water parks, resorts; family entertainment centers; zoos, aquariums; science centers, museums; and industry manufacturers and suppliers.
IAAPA helps members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry worldwide.
The association's global headquarters is in Orlando, Florida, U.S. The non-profit organization maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai, China; Mexico City, Mexico, and Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. To learn more, visit www.IAAPA.org or connect through IAAPA’s social media channels: @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA100
Editor’s Note: Images are available for download at http://bit.ly/2pz9Ps6.
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