Looping Sculpture Honours Roller Coaster Manufacturing

(eap) Last weekend, the German market town of Münsterhausen unveiled a special tribute to the Bavarian community’s long tradition of amusement ride and roller coaster manufacturing. A looping sculpture was revealed in the town square, where it will serve as an eye-catching photo opportunity while also commemorating the industry that made the small community known far beyond its region.

The looping sculpture symbolises tradition, inventiveness and the courage to keep trying something new. © Photo: Thomas Enders

Special recognition was given to Anton Schwarzkopf (†), who laid the foundations for roller coaster manufacturing in Münsterhausen. In 1960, the visionary took over his parents’ business and founded Anton Schwarzkopf Stahl- und Fahrzeugbau. Over the following years, the company produced numerous roller coasters that remain widely known today and continue to shape the appearance of many amusement parks. Among his best-known rides is “The Great American Revolution” at the US amusement park Six Flags Magic Mountain, which made headlines in 1976 as the world’s first modern steel roller coaster with a vertical loop. Read more about the iconic coaster, which celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, in the upcoming EAP issue 5/2026.

Today, Gerstlauer Amusement Rides continues Münsterhausen’s tradition of amusement ride and roller coaster manufacturing. The company was founded in 1982 by Hubert Gerstlauer, a former employee of Schwarzkopf. Since then, Gerstlauer has manufactured more than 100 roller coasters worldwide. Its most recent projects include the Family Coaster “100% Wolf” at Plopsaland Deutschland and the Euro-Fighter “Drakon” at the UK’s Paultons Park. ■