 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) 2 seconds ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
Herbert Sellner (1887 – 1930) was born in Faribault, Minnesota, into a family of skilled artisans. His father was a cabinetmaker, and Herbert inherited both his father’s craftsmanship and creative flair. In 1912, at the age of 25, Herbert founded the Sellner Woodcraft Company in Faribault, where he produced mission-style furniture, lamps, and various wooden household items. He later expanded into lighting design by founding the Ideal Lamp Company, which became known for its intricate leaded stained-glass lamps.
When World War I disrupted material supplies, Herbert’s resourcefulness led him to shift focus towards producing wooden toys for children, keeping his business afloat during challenging times.
By the early 1920s, Sellner's inventive spirit took him in a new direction. In 1923, he designed a water toboggan slide and a water wheel, which became popular attractions at local swimming areas. However, his most famous creation was yet to come.
In 1926, Herbert built the first Tilt-a-Whirl ride, a rotating, tilting amusement ride with nine cars that spun independently. He constructed it in his neighbor’s garden in Faribault. The Tilt-a-Whirl made its debut at the Minnesota State Fair that same year, attracting over 4,200 riders during the week-long event. Its success led to the first sale of a Tilt-a-Whirl to Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in 1927, for $4,500. That year, the ride generated a gross profit of $30,000, a remarkable figure for the time.
As the ride gained popularity across the country, Sellner Manufacturing expanded rapidly. In 1927, Herbert built a factory at 515 Fowler Street in Faribault to meet the growing demand for his amusement rides. His Tilt-a-Whirl soon became a fixture in amusement parks across the United States and remains an iconic ride today.
Herbert Sellner passed away on April 22, 1930, in Faribault, Minnesota, and is buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery. His company, Sellner Manufacturing, remained a family-owned business for decades, continuing to produce Tilt-a-Whirls until it was sold to Larson International, Inc., in 2011.[1]
- ^ "The Tilt-A-Whirl: A Minnesota original". 12 August 2024.