Lawrence John Chickola
Born1964 (age 59–60)
EducationBS, MS
Alma mater
OccupationProfessional engineer
Years active1995 to present
EmployerSix Flags Entertainment
Known forRoller coasters

Lawrence John Chickola (born 1964) is an engineer known for designing roller coasters.

Early life and education

In an interview, Chickola said that he attended DeLaSalle High in Detroit, Michigan.[1]

Chickola earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science at UCLA.[2]

Career

Early career

After graduation, Chickola designed equipment for satellites for the Hughes Aircraft Company.[2] He later held jobs with Lockheed Martin in Los Angeles, California[1] and Amtrak.[2]

Six Flags

Chickola was asked to overhaul the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster in 1995. He completely re-engineered the 21-year-old coaster with a new motor, cars and computer operating system.[3]

In 2001, the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation promoted Chickola to chief corporate engineer. He is responsible for the design, maintenance and safety of 120 roller coasters and over 600 other amusement park rides.[2] Chickola redesigned the Texas Giant, a wooden roller coaster, into the world's first hybrid roller coaster.[4]

Chickola helped develop standards for roller coasters in New Jersey. The New Jersey standards were almost identical to guidelines set by ASTM International.[5]

Research

Chickola participated in a study of risks of traumatic brain injury from riding roller coasters and co-authored the report.[6]

Media appearances

Chickola appeared in two episodes of the Travel Channel's series Insane Coaster Wars.[7] He was featured in a segment of CBS This Morning on May 15, 2013.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Hot Jobs: Coaster man". Science World. 7 September 1998.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Zimmerman, Ann (29 October 2011). "Mastermind of the Mega-Coaster". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Gray, Kevin (June 2012). "Engineer of Fear". Men's Journal. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Tugman, Lindsey (15 May 2013). "One man's mission to make roller coasters bigger, better". THV-TV. San Antonio, TX. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Colimore, Edward (1 September 2002). "N.J. imposes a ceiling on park rides' G-forces". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  6. ↑ Pfister, Bryan J.; Chickola, Larry; Smith, Douglas H. (2009). "Head motions while riding roller coasters: Implications for brain injury". American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 30 (4): 339–345. doi:10.1097/PAF.0b013e318187e0c9. PMC 2796436. PMID 19901817.
  7. ↑ "Larry Chickola". Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  8. ↑ Bojorquez, Manuel (15 May 2013). "Engineer of Fear, America's Top Roller Coaster Architect". CBS News. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
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