Frederick Ingersoll

Frederick Ingersoll
Nationality American
Company Ingersoll Construction Company, Luna Parks Amusement Company
Born 1876
Died October 23, 1927

Frederick Ingersoll was one of the most influential inventors and businessmen in theme park history. Aside from his company Ingersoll Construction Company, Frederick was the founder and operator, designer, and builder of Luna Parks Amusement Company, a chain of 44 amusement parks located around the world. Luna Parks Amusement Company was the world's first amusement park chain.[1][2]

Life

Frederick Ingersoll was born in 1876 in New Jersey, USA.[2] He began his career manufacturing a variety of devices outside of the theme park industry. Eventually, however, Frederick took interest in the rising trend of amusements following the opening of Luna Park in Coney Island (a model that his company would follow as transformed it from a singular park to a chain of 44 across the world).

Frederick, commonly called Fred, lead his business to create 277 roller coasters in total around the world for his own, as well as other parks.[1][2]

Death

On October 23, 1927 Frederick Ingersoll passed away as a result of asphyxiation from gas fumes. He was discovered deceased in a sealed concession stand at Krug Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Ingersoll's death was ruled suicide following ill health.[3]

Today, a plaque in his remembrance stands at Kennywood Park in Pennsylvania.

References:

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Ingersoll Stock Options for Luna Park Washington D.C., USA". Newspapers.com. Evening Star (Washington, DC, USA).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Luna Park's luminary: Entrepreneur/roller coaster designer deserves his due". Newspapers.com. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA).
  3. "Frederick Ingersoll Obituary". Newspapers.com. The Des Moines Register.