Rollback time...John Miller, innovator of modern wood

rollergator

Friday, June 24, 2005 3:34 PM
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From the rollback: 6/24/1941 - Coaster designer and inventor John A. Miller dies at age 66.

Miller's coasters range from the inventive Racer at Kennywood to the sublime JackRabbit, from Elvis' float-coaster Zippin Pippin to the ejection insanity on the return leg of Screechin' Eagle (may she fly again!).

I've seen two SBNO Millers, the T-Bolt at Coney (now destroyed) and the original JackRabbit (not J2) at Clementon. Immensely thankful I got to ride that GEM at LeSourdsville before it went back into hiding...

Before the year is out, I hope to have C:TR from Puyallup and Arnold's Park's Legend on my track record...

John Miller, you changed the way we ride....and we salute you! :)

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crazyforcoasters

Friday, June 24, 2005 3:36 PM
Gator,

I am finally going to AP in a couple weeks and I live in the same state but have never ventured up to ride it . I have heard good things about Legend so I hope it lives up to the hype.

I have a picture of the Fun House in one of my roller coaster books, it looks pretty wacked out.


Skol Vikings
Let's shoot us some deer Joe Joe!!!!

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millrace

Friday, June 24, 2005 3:38 PM
And don't forget John Millers *other* Ohio gem. The Big Dipper at Geauga Lake. I just hope it doesn't get "Cedar Faired."
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TeknoScorpion

Friday, June 24, 2005 3:45 PM
Only ridden 4 Millers, but all 4 rank high! Love Miller coasters, hope to have more by the end of next year.
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Robocoaster

Friday, June 24, 2005 3:55 PM
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C:TR at Puyallup sure didn't look like much. Boy, was i way wrong. I was so impressed that I took a few days around SRM '03 to make sure I hit the ones at KW and GL.
In August, I'm hoping to add Lagoon's Miller to my count.:)

A salute indeed!


They Live. We Sleep.

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rollergator

Friday, June 24, 2005 4:19 PM
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Geauga's Big Dipper was *performing* when we were there early this month....so far, no "Cedar-Fairage"...LOL...;)
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millrace

Friday, June 24, 2005 4:33 PM
It was performing well last weekend as well but they were only running ONE train and the park was (surprise, surprise) busy!
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dragonoffrost

Friday, June 24, 2005 5:28 PM
I must say with my first coaster rides ever being on a classic Miller coaster, the now SBNO Jack Rabbit at Clementon, that I loved this coaster. This summer I will be adding to the list of Miller's creations that I have experienced. If these coasters I visit this summer give rides like Jack Rabbit did I will be in heaven. Which is where a great person deserves to go when they pass on.

Watch the tram car please....
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HeyIsntThatRob?

Friday, June 24, 2005 5:33 PM
HeyIsntThatRob?'s avatar
My first big coaster was a Miller, as in Big Dipper at Geauga Lake. Hard to believe this ride opened as the largest of its kind.

I've ridden quite a few Millers and I have to say, they are trully innovative for their time, maybe even ahead of their time. These rides knew how to scare the daylights out you, yet I haven't read anything *unsafe* about his creations.

*Big salute to John Miller*

~Rob Willi

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coasterqueenTRN

Friday, June 24, 2005 8:26 PM
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I rank the Pippin and Eagle HIGH on my list (even made *my* Golden Ticket ballot).

Salute to da man!

-Tina

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