News: Karl Bacon passes away at 98

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Quoted from Amusement Today,


Industry pioneer Karl Bacon passes away at 98 (Dec 2, 2008) Legendary amusement industry pioneer Karl Bacon passed away in California on Nov. 14, 2008. He was 98.

Born in Oakland, Maine in 1910, Bacon was an intelligent, kind-hearted individual who rose to fame thanks to a small machine shop in Mountain View, Calif. where he teamed up with Ed Morgan to create Arrow Development. In collaboration with Walt Disney, Arrow created many of the memorable attractions at Disneyland and the other Disney theme parks.

But Arrow's most important contribution was the impact the company made on the world of steel roller coasters. Bacon and Morgan revolutionized the industry with Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. Thanks to that ground-breaking ride, Arrow's innovative use of tubular track and soft polyurethane composite wheels allowed coasters do more than anyone ever thought possible. Bacon and Morgan went on to create a number of increasingly complex and daring coasters as well as other amusement rides such as the log flume, a reworked Steeplechase, Suspended Coaster and antique cars.

Bacon and Morgan were inducted into the “Hall of Fame Living Legends” by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in 1998.

Ed Morgan's son, Dana, remembers Bacon with fondness. "Karl and my dad were a great team. Working togther, they changed the face of the amusement industry with ride systems they developed for Disney like the tubular rail track for the Matterhorn. Their later Corkscrew coasters, log flumes and other attractions were park staples. To remember and honor Karl, we attended a small gathering held with his family and friends at the Bacon residence."

Former Arrow president Ron Toomer recalls his own long relationship with Bacon. "I met Karl in 1965 when I was introduced to him by a friend who had worked at Arrow. It so happened that he was looking for a mechanical engineer to help develop a new coaster for Six Flags Over Texas. This turned out to be the Runaway Mine Train. Karl and I worked together on that ride and many more after this and we found a mutual benefit. Without any formal training, Karl was one of the best engineers I have known. He was at once my mentor and some-time student as I helped him to understand the engineering side of what we were doing. In order to keep me on my toes he reminded me that it was still a temporary job. He offered me guidance in business and the need for patience in design problems. He once told me that if he had one wish, he would wish to be taller – he didn’t know that he was a giant in our industry.

"Karl Bacon was not only my employer but a very dear friend. He was one of the finest human beings I have ever known. The amusement world is a better place because of him and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Bacon is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jane; his daughters Nancy and Sue; grandchildren, Scott, Nicole, and Roger; and great grandchildren, Evan and Nathan..