The History of the Bumper Car
The history of the bumper car includes the development of the British Dodgem, the Auto Skooter and hovercraft cars. While many bumper car rides continue to operate today at small carnival venues cross the world, the largest bumper car installation, The Rue Le Dodge, is located in Gurnee, Ill., at Six Flags Great America. A replica of this ride was installed at Great America's park in Santa Clara, Calif., in 2005.
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Original Design
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Most historians give invention credit of the bumper cars to William Thursten. The Thursten Co. manufactured rides for carnivals. Various British and American manufacturers, however, vie for recognition of the design origination.
Structure Design
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Electrified bumper cars operate on metal flooring and require a metal roofing surface to complete the electric circuit. A metal pole attached to each car creates the link between the floor and ceiling. Recent design changes have eliminated the need for a metal ceiling.
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Car Designs
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The open cars allow riders to steer and control speed (within a regulated range) while traveling either forward or in reverse. Car sides include rubber bumpers. New cars include higher back seats and safety belts.
Auto Skooter
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The Lusse Brothers of Philadelphia, Pa., manufactured the Auto Skooter bumper car. The front-wheel drive vehicle was patented in the U.S. in 1931.
Dodgem
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In England, the bumper car is known as the Dodgem. While other firms patented similar rides, the Lusse Brothers held U.K. patents for the modern car.
Modern Variations
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Disneyland installed a hovercraft bumper car system in the 1960s. The saucer-shaped spaceships were equipped with circular rubber bumpers. As the air was turned on, the saucers floated above the metal floor openings. However, a prohibition against bumping cars was strictly enforced.
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