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Ron Toomer Facts & Worksheets

Ron Toomer was the man behind the roller coaster design. He was an American designer credited for designing 93 roller coasters around the world.

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Ron Toomer was the man behind the roller coaster design. He was an American designer credited for designing 93 roller coasters around the world. He was also responsible for the Apollo spacecraft heat shield.

See the fact file below for more information on the Ron Toomer or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Ron Toomer worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TOOMER’S BIOGRAPHY

  • Ronald Valentine Toomer was born on May 31, 1930, in Pasadena, California, U.S. He was an American engineer and roller coaster designer. He was also considered as the most outstanding designer of steel coasters.
  • Ron Toomer graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1961. Toomer was also involved in the first U.S satellite launches. Toomer was included on the team that designed the heat shield for the Apollo Spacecraft.
  • According to Amusement Today, a magazine that reviews things related to the amusement industry, Ron Toomer enjoyed making hand-carved waterfowl, putting together wooden car kits, cooking, gardening, and reading crossword puzzles.
  • However, Ron Toomer is famous for making a big impact on the amusement industry.

ARROW DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

  • During his time in the space program, Toomer encountered a workmate who previously worked as a welder for the Arrow Development Company.
  • In 1965, Ron Toomer joined Arrow Dynamics (later it became Arrow Development Company) and was hired to design the Runaway Mine Ride, the world’s first all-steel coaster. The ride was located at Six Flags Over Texas.
  • For the next 30 years of Toomer’s career, he designed over 80 steel coasters worldwide. This includes the first modern-era looping coaster, the Corkscrew at Knott’s Berry Farm, the record-breaking Magnum XL-200, and the first suspended roller coaster, Big Bad Wolf.

PRESIDENT OF ARROW DYNAMICS

  • In 1986, Ron Toomer was appointed as the president of Arrow Dynamics. During that time, the company aimed to develop a pipeline coaster (it is a coaster where the train rides between the tracks instead of above).
  • However, the project lacked funds even before the prototype could be developed, and the design died.
  • According to various sources, Ron Toomer never actually rode any of the coasters he designed, because of motion sickness.
  • According to Amusement Today, Toomer felt most proud of his contribution to the first upside-down coaster, The Corkscrew.
  • Toomer was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in 2000. (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions).

DEATH OF TOOMER

  • Ron Toomer died on September 26, 2011, at the age of 81 because of cancer. Toomer passed away in his sleep after a strenuous four-month battle with cancer.

ROLLER COASTER DESIGNS OF TOOMER

  • Runaway Mine Train – It is a steel roller coaster located in Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. It is considered to be the oldest roller coaster in the park. The ride comprises three lift hills and two tunnels. The ride’s climax is the final drop after the third lift hill that dives into a 150-foot-long curving tunnel below Caddo Lake. It is also the world’s first underwater coaster tunnel.
  • Corkscrew (Silverwood) – This roller coaster is located at Silverwood Theme Park. Between 1975-1979, ten exact replicas were produced. The ride starts from entering a small dip and into a u-turn followed by a 70-foot-tall chain lift hill. When it reaches the climax, it slopes down into a 90-degree banked turn.
  • Carolina Cyclone – This roller coaster is located at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the first roller coaster with four inversions and two corkscrews. Carolina Cyclone still runs after 40 years.
  • Vortex – This roller coaster is located at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Oslo. It debuted as the tallest, full-circuit roller coaster globally with a height of 148 feet and was also the first coaster to have six inversions. Vortex consists of two vertical loops, two corkscrews, and two batwing elements.
  • Shockwave – Shockwave is a roller coaster that is located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Shockwave stands at 170 feet tall and has a speed of 105 km/hr. In 1988, it was considered the world’s tallest and fastest looping roller coaster that also broke the record of having seven inversions: three vertical loops, a boomerang, and two regular corkscrews. In 2002, Shockwave was closed and dismantled.
  • Orient Express – This roller coaster is located at the Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri. It is the first roller coaster to have a “Kamikaze Curve” (boomerang or batwing). It consists of a 90-degree rise to the right or left, followed by half of the traditional loop element, then a rising half loop, then a final 90-degree dive. Orient Express experienced malfunctions. In 1999, two coaster cars derailed and left the passengers stranded for a couple of hours.
  • Magnum XL-200 – Magnum XL-200 is a roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. In 1989, it was considered the fastest, tallest, and steepest complete circuit roller coaster. It was also considered the first roller coaster to exceed 200 feet in height. It held the title of being the tallest roller coaster until Pepsi Max Big One was developed.
  • The Big One – This roller coaster was formerly known as Pepsi Max Big One. It is located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. In 1994, it was considered the tallest and steepest roller coaster, being 235 feet above sea level height. This ride is still the tallest roller coaster in the United Kingdom.

Ron Toomer Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Ron Toomer across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Ron Toomer worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Ron Toomer who was the man behind the roller coaster design. He was an American designer credited for designing 93 roller coasters around the world. He was also responsible for the Apollo spacecraft heat shield.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Ron Toomer Facts
  • Toomer’s Profile
  • Roller Coaster Timeline
  • Filling the Tracks
  • Match the Location
  • Questions of Toomer
  • Your Own Coaster Ride!
  • Jumbled Ride
  • Elements of Roller Coaster
  • Roller Coaster Parts
  • Rules or Not?

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Use With Any Curriculum

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