Parachute Jump Thrill Ride 1939-1940 New York World's Fair

This 67 year old color film was taken by my father (copyright) at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. A short clip from this movie includes the infamous Parachute Ride in the Amusement Zone at the World's Fair. Riders paid about $.40 a ticket to be hoisted up by a cable system in essentially a park bench affair, with just a few straps, up 25 stories until the chute reached the top of the steel structure. Cables released the chute, a free fall occurred unitl the chute opened in the floating descent to the base. See a few of the ascents, some bouncy landings, and just appreciate the level of 'safety' of one of the original thrill rides as compared to today's amusement parks! Yikes!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• The
• New
• York
• World's
• Fair
• 1939
• 1940
• Color
• Movies
• Free
• Fall
• Parachute
• Ride
• Thrill
• Amusement
• Zone
• Sky
• parachuting

[blueyeragazza]

my grandpa worked on the cyclone, greasing up the tracks and my grandmother got stuck riding the parachute jump. it took them 3 hours to get her down from the top of the ride. my grandpa is buried in staten island, the view from his grave looks straight towards Coney Island and the Parachute Jump. They spent their lives telling stories of when they worked on the Boardwalk and all the rides. Thanks for posting this.

[doogie1136]

I am curious to know if there are any remnants of the parachute ride in Coney Island to this day as that is where the tower was moved to after the fair. Interesting to hear your personal connection to the Fair through your family.

[StanMyMan66]

doogie - I remember seeing a PBS documentary on the 1938-40 worlds fair narrated by Jason Robards. It used real color footage taken by the fair. I don't know if it featured some of your father's footage or not.

Thanks for posting...

[doogie1136]

I saw that and bought the film through the Queens museum- very interesting to watch, given our own footage that wasn't in that movie. Also see Aquacade and Hot Mikado footage here...

[psargen]

this footage is absolutely beatiful- you should be very proud of it

[kyussfan6]

@Rocco11510 she looks like..... YOU yeah.

[Rocco11510]

@kyussfan6 My girlfriend's girlfriend sent me here :-)

[nieceyboo81292]

i wish they would re-open this ride

[kyussfan6]

Type O Negative sent me here xD

[mikeyleoespo]

@doogie1136 the parachute ride tower is still up it was registered on the us national register of Historical places some years back and I personally see it every couple of months when leaving and entering the island

[SamuelCosmoSchiff]

@brandonisawesome11 I guess they deemed it too old and dangerous. The structure sits right next to the Brooklyn Cyclone's ball park.

[brandonisawesome11]

@SamuelCosmoSchiff why?

[SamuelCosmoSchiff]

@doogie1136 The tower is still there! Just isn't operational....

[MrLaxdude89]

LOL My dad lies, he said you climbed onto it and jump off, he probably wanted me to piss my pants, it worked

[Williamwallace0]

looks safe enough