This Amusement Park Ride Was Born Right Here in Minnesota

This was my favorite ride when I was a kid. As an adult, well, I'd probably get sick. The Tilt-a-Whirl has been around since 1926 and it was created in Fairbault, Minnesota by a guy named Herbert Sellner. He used to build them in his basement and yard and in 1927, it made its debut at the Minnesota State Fair.

Sellner's original Tilt-a-Whirl had nine cars and was made of wood and powered by a gas motor. Now they're made of steel, aluminum and fiberglass and there's usually seven cars. I guess nine cars got a little crowded.

The last time I rode in one was a few years ago. I got in the car with my wife and all I remember was spinning around really fast and feeling my back crack from my tailbone all the way up to my neck. Cripes, I'm getting old.

Anyway, a lot of people probably already know it was first built right here in Southern Minnesota. If you didn't, well, now you've got some fact bombs you can lay on your friends. Maybe win a bet.

Here's a piece written about the Tilt-a-Whirl and Sellner Manufacturing from Minnesota Prairie Roots. It's an interesting read. Enjoy!