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John Allen
John C. Allen
Roller coaster designer
Company Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Born May 21, 1907, Philadelphia
Died Aug 17, 1979
Nationality
Years active 1934-1979
Known for Revival of the wooden roller coaster
Roller coasters worked on 26

John C. Allen (May 21, 1907 - August 17 1979) was a roller coaster designer who was responsible for the wooden roller coaster revival which began in the 1970s. After he attended Temple University, he started working for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1934 as a roller coaster operator and rose to become president of the company by 1954. He designed over 25 coasters and made significant contributions to roller coaster technology. He once said, "You don't need a degree in engineering to design roller coasters, you need a degree in psychology."

Roller coasters[]

Remaining[]

Name Park Opened Closed Status
Black Diamond

Formerly Golden Nugget

Knoebels Amusement Park

Dinosaur Beach

2011

1960


1999

Operating
Blue Streak Cedar Point 1964 Operating
Cannon Ball Lake Winnepesaukah 1967 Operating
Ghoster Coaster Kings Dominion 1974 Operating
Great American Scream Machine Six Flags Over Georgia 1973 Operating
Nightmare Joyland 1949 2004 SBNO
Racer Kings Island 1972 Operating
Rebel Yell Kings Dominion 1975 Operating
Screamin' Eagle Six Flags St. Louis 1976 Operating
Sea Dragon Jungle Jack's Landing 1956 Operating
Skyliner

Formerly Skyliner

Lakemont Park

Roseland Park

1987

1960


1985

Operating
Swamp Fox Family Kingdom Amusement Park 1966 Operating

Defunct[]

Name Park Opened Closed Status
Comet Rocky Glen 1959 1987 Defunct
Comet Funway Amusement Park 1973 1989 Defunct
Flyer Dinosaur Beach 1957 1988 Defunct
Jetstream Riverview Park 1964 1967 Defunct
Mr. Twister Elitch Gardens 1964 1994 Defunct
Shooting Star Lakeside Park 1968 1986 Defunct
Skyliner Fair Park 1965 1988 Defunct
Starliner

Formerly Starliner

Legoland Florida

Miracle Strip Amusement Park

2007

1963

2008

2004

Defunct
Tornado Wedgewood Village 1961 1969 Defunct
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