I’d think that it partly goes back to the traditions and long history of the European fair circuit being popular in that part of the world. Zierer for example started out making carousels in Germany in 1930, and Anton Schwarzkopf started out as an apprentice in his fathers business which focused on the design of trailers used to transport circus equipment before starting his own business. Hubert Gertslauer was an employee of his who later stated his own company. And Intamin (INternational AMusement INstallations) started over in Switzerland in 1967 as a company selling rides to the US before two of their engineers branched out in 1988 to start their own company, Bolliger & Mabillard. Mack Rides history goes back to 1780 when Paul Mack began making carriages and stagecoaches and then in 1880 the company began selling organ wagons and caravans to travelling showmen.How come most of the world’s major rollercoaster manufacturers are based in Germanic speaking countries?
a lot of prestigious engineers are from Germany, I personally want to work for Intamin so am currently learning German. I will apply after I have gone to university! There’s probably no chance I’ll get in , me and my dreams!How come most of the world’s major rollercoaster manufacturers are based in Germanic speaking countries?
Life would be pointless without dreams - keep your head down and you'll get there!a lot of prestigious engineers are from Germany, I personally want to work for Intamin so am currently learning German. I will apply after I have gone to university! There’s probably no chance I’ll get in , me and my dreams!
Appreciate it!Life would be pointless without dreams - keep your head down and you'll get there!
I’d think that it partly goes back to the traditions and long history of the European fair circuit being popular in that part of the world. Zierer for example started out making carousels in Germany in 1930, and Anton Schwarzkopf started out as an apprentice in his fathers business which focused on the design of trailers used to transport circus equipment before starting his own business. Hubert Gertslauer was an employee of his who later stated his own company. And Intamin (INternational AMusement INstallations) started over in Switzerland in 1967 as a company selling rides to the US before two of their engineers branched out in 1988 to start their own company, Bolliger & Mabillard. Mack Rides history goes back to 1780 when Paul Mack began making carriages and stagecoaches and then in 1880 the company began selling organ wagons and caravans to travelling showmen.
And of course it would have been easy for these companies located in and around Germany to transport their products to the surrounding countries by road. And German engineering has long been highly respected.
The US does dominate when it comes to woodies though with Gravity Group, GCI, Gravitykraft, and formerly CCI (who built 34 woodies in just 11 years before they went bust in 2002). And of course RMC with their conversions.That all makes sense. But i am surprised that they still dominate, you'd think the US would have taken over considering the proliferation of theme parks there.
Proximity, then (as @rob666 has already pointed out) manufacturing restrictions acted as a catalyst.It’s not just Germany though but it is predominantly Germanic.
Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Netherlands.
And they either weren’t founded till decades after WW2 or existed long prior.
Also it says it's not been rated. You wouldn't want to start watching it, and find that there's lots of nudity and violence.Somewhat relevant to this thread, I was browsing the in-flight entertainment on my Swiss Air flight and found this. Was only available in German unfortunately
Intamin Gone Wild.Also it says it's not been rated. You wouldn't want to start watching it, and find that there's lots of nudity and violence.
I agree with you.Proximity, then (as @rob666 has already pointed out) manufacturing restrictions acted as a catalyst.
Naturally there are bound to be amusement manufacturers who were in the area before the big boom, but the scale you're alluding to wouldn't be there without proximity and manufacturing restrictions post WWII.
Very much in the same way that a lot of tech startups / supershits are in California. Some started before the most recent tech boom, some after, some have moved, but they were all accelerated by the smart phone and broadband.
Go back far enough and you'll see constant examples, for other industries, throughout history.