Herbert Paul Schmeck (born 1890 in Reading, Pennsylvania, died 1956) was an American roller coaster designer. From 1923 to 1955, Schmeck designed 84 coasters for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. As a designer and president, the company became the most prominent manufacturer of roller coasters in the United States.[1][2]
Schmeck originally worked as a carpenter for the Reading Furniture Works, before he was hired to work on a construction crew for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. He was offered more jobs when his work ethic impressed company owners.[3] He served as a foreman at Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in 1916. There he worked with designer John A. Miller on the construction of "The Giant Coaster." He continued to work with the Philadelphia Tobaggan Company assisting with the construction of coasters. Despite no formal training as an engineer, Schmeck learned to design rides by studying blueprints and with his construction knowledge.[3] In 1923 Schmeck designed his first coaster, the Wild Cat at Hersheypark. He later mentored John C. Allen.[1]
Two of his designs, Phoenix at Knoebels' Amusement Resort, and Comet at The Great Escape have frequently been honored as two of the top ten roller coasters.[1]
^ abc"Herb Schmeck". Hall of Fame Inductees. IAAPA. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
^Schafer, Mike (1998). Roller Coasters. MBI Publishing Company. p. 16. ISBN 0-7603-0506-4.
^ abYouker, Darrin (9 August 2009). "Roller coaster legacy of Reading man survives". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, from the Reading Eagle. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
Herbert Paul Schmeck (born 1890 in Reading, Pennsylvania, died 1956) was an American roller coaster designer. From 1923 to 1955, Schmeck designed 84 coasters...
Schmeck is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: HerbertSchmeck (1890–1956), American roller coaster designer Ingrid Schmeck (born 1944)...
until 1979. Notable designers included Joe McKee, John A. Miller, HerbertSchmeck, Frank Hoover, and John C. Allen. When Allen retired as president in...
Toboggan Company creations: the Wildcat roller coaster — designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck — in 1922 and a new carousel in 1928. This carousel is still operational...
class="table-yes"|Operating Designed by HerbertSchmeck; Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company A relocated and restored HerbertSchmeck & Philadelphia Toboggan Company...
1954 Replaced with Midge-O-Racers Little Dipper 1950 2009 Designed by HerbertSchmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The brakes...
down in 1927 to make room for Wildcat, a wooden coaster designed by HerbertSchmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The early 1930s brought...
Summers but is based on the original Coney Island Wildcat designed by HerbertSchmeck. It was constructed in-house under the direction of Summers. The coaster...
torn down in 1897. Twister Philadelphia Toboggan Company 1927 1935 A HerbertSchmeck wooden roller coaster named "Twister" from 1927 to 1935. The ride was...
damage to the western end of The Skyrocket. The coaster was rebuilt by HerbertSchmeck. It remained the favorite ride of many people throughout the years...
of the wood and steel from the Cyclone was used by John Allen and HerbertSchmeck (both designers for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company) in the construction...
Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire. The roller coaster was designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck of the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Its serial number is 86. In...
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