The Whip (ride)

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The Whip was a ride designed and built by W.F. Mangels Company of Coney Island, New York. William F. Mangels patented the ride in 1914 and it soon became an extremely popular ride. It consists of two circular platforms turned by motors which turn a cable that leads the cars around a wooden oval track, whipping them as they circle each end. Whips with 8, 10, or 12 cars were available. At least two 16-car models exist, one operating at Kennywood and the other in storage at Knoebels.

A children's version was also built as well as a children's roto-whip. A roto-whip is in a circular motion that whips the cars as it goes around.

The minimum rider height requirement is 46 inches tall unless with an adult at some parks. This varies with the park.

One of the oldest Whips operating today is the Whip at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, PA. It was manufactured in 1918. The Whip at Playland (New York) in Rye, NY was made in 1928, and is one of the park's oldest rides. Another installation of a classic Whip is at Knoebels Grove in Elysburg, PA. This whip, called the "Whipper" was originally installed at a park in Hunlock Creek, PA called Croops Glen moved to Knoebels in the 1940s after that park closed.

The Whip is currently manufactured by Sellner Rides, which also makes the famed Tilt-a-Whirl ride. An example of one of these is at Hersheypark in Hershey, PA.