Sellner Manufacturing

Sellner Manufacturing was an amusement-ride manufacturing company based in Faribault, Minnesota. It became internationally associated with the Tilt-A-Whirl, a spinning amusement ride invented by Herbert Sellner in the 1920s and subsequently manufactured in large numbers for amusement parks, fairs, and traveling carnivals. Although the company began with woodworking and household products rather than rides, its transition into recreational equipment made it one of the best-known historical manufacturers in the American amusement-ride industry. Herbert Sellner was born in Faribault in 1887 to Frederick and Charlotte Luck Sellner, German immigrants. His father was a cabinetmaker, and Sellner initially followed a related path. Around 1908 he established the Sellner Woodcraft Company, producing mission-style furniture, lamps, and other wooden goods. The business was later sold and became Daisy Woodcraft. Sellner also established the Ideal Lamp Company. A 1917 catalog listed products such as magazine racks, smoking stands, telephone stands, folding dining tables, and lamps with leaded stained-glass shades. World War I disrupted supplies and encouraged the company to shift toward wooden toys, helping establish a broader manufacturing base. Sellner began experimenting with amusement and aquatic attractions during the 1920s. By 1923 he had developed a water toboggan slide and a water wheel. The slide stood approximately 30 feet high, used a roughly 100-foot track, and included a set of toboggans. It became popular not only in the United States but also in Canada, Switzerland, Jamaica, and Sweden. Sellner applied for a patent for the water wheel in 1925; the attraction incorporated a diving platform and allowed swimmers to rotate before entering the water. In 1928 he introduced The Swooper, an elevated ride resembling an oval Ferris wheel, although only a limited number were produced. The company's defining product was the Tilt-A-Whirl. The first example was built and patented in Faribault in 1926 and exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair that year. It reportedly carried 4,233 passengers during the seven-day fair. The attraction was then sold to Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake for the 1927 season. The earliest fourteen Tilt-A-Whirls were built at Sellner's home, after which a dedicated factory was required. In 1927 the company constructed a plant at 515 Fowler Street in Faribault. By 1938, 143 Tilt-A-Whirls were operating in markets that included England, Sweden, New Zealand, and Mexico City. Herbert Sellner died of leukemia in 1940, but the business remained in the Sellner family and continued producing amusement equipment. During World War II, shortages of labor and materials affected operations, and factory employees also produced bomb carts. In later decades the company expanded its ride portfolio beyond the Tilt-A-Whirl. Models introduced or developed during the late twentieth century included Spin-the-Apple, Berry-Go-Round, Bear Affair, Barrel-Of-Fun, Dizzy Dragons, Pumpkin Patch, and Windjammer. Sellner also offered updated color schemes for Tilt-A-Whirl installations and introduced the Generation Five Tilt-A-Whirl in 2004, using fiberglass cars and a more open design as an alternative to the traditional configuration. Economic difficulties and declining sales during downturns in the early 2000s weakened the company. After Sellner missed payments on a loan from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault, the business was sold in 2011 to Larson International, Inc., an amusement-ride manufacturer based in Plainview, Texas. Sellner Manufacturing therefore ceased operating as an independent company, while Larson continued manufacturing the Tilt-A-Whirl and other rides associated with the Sellner product line. The company's legacy remains especially visible in Faribault, where restored Tilt-A-Whirl cars, a downtown mural, and other commemorations preserve its local industrial history.

Sellner Manufacturing developed from Herbert Sellner's early woodworking activities in Faribault, Minnesota. Around 1908, Sellner established the Sellner Woodcraft Company, which produced mission furniture, lamps, and other wooden articles. The business was later sold and became Daisy Woodcraft. Sellner also operated the Ideal Lamp Company. A 1917 catalog documented a range of household and furniture goods, including magazine racks, smoking and telephone stands, folding dining tables, and lamps with leaded stained-glass shades. Supply problems during World War I encouraged a move into wooden toys for children. During the 1920s, Sellner increasingly focused on recreational attractions. By 1923 he had created a water toboggan slide and a water wheel. The slide was approximately 30 feet high, featured a 100-foot track, and used twelve toboggans. It gained customers in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Jamaica, and Sweden. Sellner sought a patent for the water wheel in 1925; the attraction included a diving platform and allowed swimmers to rotate or dive into the water. In 1928 he produced The Swooper, an elevated oval ride with similarities to a Ferris wheel, although production remained limited. Sellner's most important invention was the Tilt-A-Whirl. The first unit was built and patented in Faribault in 1926 and debuted at the Minnesota State Fair. It carried 4,233 riders over the seven-day event. The first ride was later sold for the 1927 season to Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake. Fourteen early Tilt-A-Whirls were built at Sellner's home, but the growing business soon required a dedicated facility. In 1927, Sellner constructed a factory at 515 Fowler Street in Faribault. By 1938, 143 Tilt-A-Whirls were operating in several international markets, including England, Sweden, New Zealand, and Mexico City. Herbert Sellner died of leukemia in 1940. The company remained in the family and continued manufacturing rides. World War II created shortages of workers and materials, and the factory supplemented its regular production by making bomb carts. In the postwar period, the Tilt-A-Whirl became the company's signature product and a recurring feature at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals. Sellner expanded its catalog in the late twentieth century with rides including Spin-the-Apple, Berry-Go-Round, Bear Affair, Barrel-Of-Fun, Dizzy Dragons, Pumpkin Patch, and Windjammer. It also offered new Tilt-A-Whirl color combinations. In 2004, the company introduced the Generation Five Tilt-A-Whirl, which used fiberglass cars and an open design alongside the traditional model. The economic downturns of the early 2000s contributed to weaker sales and financial pressure. After missing payments on a loan from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault, Sellner Manufacturing was sold in 2011 to Larson International, Inc., of Plainview, Texas. Sellner no longer operated as an independent manufacturer, but Larson continued producing the Tilt-A-Whirl and other rides associated with the company. The brand's historical importance has been recognized through preservation efforts in Faribault, including restored ride cars, a downtown mural, and local commemorations. Its Tilt-A-Whirl was also proposed in 2007 as Minnesota's official state amusement ride.

1. 2015Historic Tilt-A-Whirl car restored

   A rusting ride car from a Faribault junkyard is restored and displayed downtown.

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2. 2011Business sold to Larson International

   Sellner Manufacturing is sold to Larson International after financial difficulties and missed loan payments.

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3. 2007Tilt-A-Whirl proposed as Minnesota state amusement ride

   The Tilt-A-Whirl is proposed for recognition as Minnesota's official state amusement ride.

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4. 2004Generation Five Tilt-A-Whirl introduced

   The company offers a redesigned Tilt-A-Whirl with fiberglass cars and a more open configuration.

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5. 1987New ride models introduced

   Sellner introduces or adds several themed rides, including Spin-the-Apple, Berry-Go-Round, Bear Affair, and Barrel-Of-Fun.

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6. 1940Herbert Sellner dies

   The founder dies of leukemia, while the family-owned company continues operating.

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7. 1938Tilt-A-Whirl reaches international markets

   The number of operating Tilt-A-Whirls reaches 143 across markets including England, Sweden, New Zealand, and Mexico City.

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8. 1928The Swooper introduced

   Sellner develops The Swooper, an elevated oval ride produced in relatively small numbers.

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9. 1927Faribault factory opens

   Sellner builds a factory at 515 Fowler Street to support increasing demand for its amusement rides.

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10. 1926Tilt-A-Whirl debuts

    The first Tilt-A-Whirl is built and patented in Faribault and presented at the Minnesota State Fair.

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11. 1925Water-wheel patent application

    Herbert Sellner applies for a patent covering a water wheel with a diving platform.

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12. 1923Water toboggan slide and water wheel developed

    Sellner creates aquatic attractions that gain use in the United States and several overseas markets.

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13. 1917Woodcraft and lighting catalog documents product range

    A catalog lists furniture accessories, folding tables, stands, magazine racks, and leaded-glass lamps associated with Sellner's early manufacturing activities.

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14. 1908Sellner establishes a woodworking business

    Herbert Sellner establishes the Sellner Woodcraft Company in Faribault, producing furniture, lamps, and other wooden goods.

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A regional American amusement-ride manufacturer whose identity was built around durable family rides and the widely deployed Tilt-A-Whirl, with earlier operations in woodworking, lighting, toys, and aquatic attractions.

• Tilt-A-WhirlAmusement ride1926

  Sellner's signature spinning ride was invented, built, and patented in Faribault in 1926. Riders sit in separate cars mounted on rotating platforms that produce a combination of circular motion and changes in speed. After its Minnesota State Fair debut, the ride was sold to an amusement park for the 1927 season and spread through domestic and international markets. Later versions included updated color schemes and the Generation Five model, introduced in 2004 with fiberglass cars and a more open design.

• Water toboggan slideWater attraction1923

  Developed by Herbert Sellner by 1923, this attraction used an elevated slide approximately 30 feet high and about 100 feet long. It included twelve toboggans and was installed at beaches and recreational sites in several countries. Its international popularity helped demonstrate Sellner's early ability to turn practical mechanical and wooden construction into public entertainment equipment.

• Water wheelWater attraction1923

  Sellner's water wheel incorporated a diving platform and allowed swimmers to lie on the wheel, rotate, and dive into the water. A patent application was filed in 1925. It formed part of the company's early movement from woodworking into aquatic and amusement attractions.

• The SwooperAmusement ride1928

  Introduced in 1928, The Swooper was an elevated oval ride with a Ferris-wheel-like appearance. Production was limited, with approximately fifteen units built according to the cited historical account.

• Spin-the-AppleFamily amusement ride1987

  Spin-the-Apple was among the themed ride models added to Sellner's catalog during the company's later product expansion. The available reference identifies the model as part of the 1987 group of introductions but does not provide further technical specifications.

• Berry-Go-RoundFamily amusement ride1987

  Berry-Go-Round was one of Sellner's later themed amusement rides. It formed part of the company's effort to broaden its offerings beyond the Tilt-A-Whirl, although detailed operating specifications are not provided in the available source.

• Bear AffairFamily amusement ride1987

  Bear Affair was a themed ride included among Sellner's later product models. It is documented as part of the company's late-twentieth-century catalog expansion.

• Barrel-Of-FunFamily amusement ride1987

  Barrel-Of-Fun was one of the themed rides introduced as Sellner expanded its family-amusement portfolio in the late twentieth century.

• Dizzy DragonsFamily amusement ride

  Dizzy Dragons was a later Sellner ride model identified in the historical record. The available material does not specify its capacity, layout, or production volume.

• Pumpkin PatchFamily amusement ride

  Pumpkin Patch was a themed amusement ride added to Sellner's later catalog. It is documented as part of the company's broader range of family-oriented attractions.

• WindjammerAmusement ride

  Windjammer was among the additional ride models produced by Sellner after the company had established the Tilt-A-Whirl as its core product.

• 2011Sale to Larson InternationalM&A

  Economic downturns in the early 2000s weakened sales, and Sellner missed payments on a loan from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault.

  What changed. Sellner Manufacturing was sold to Larson International, Inc., of Plainview, Texas.

  Aftermath. The company ceased operating as an independent business, while Larson continued manufacturing the Tilt-A-Whirl and other Sellner rides.

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• 2004Generation Five Tilt-A-WhirlGeneration change

  Sellner sought to update its signature ride while retaining the established Tilt-A-Whirl product identity.

  What changed. The company introduced Generation Five with fiberglass cars and an open design as an alternative to the traditional model.

  Aftermath. The redesigned version expanded the available Tilt-A-Whirl configuration, although the cited source does not provide sales or adoption figures.

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• 2015Tilt-A-Whirl car restored and displayed in Faribault

  A deteriorating Tilt-A-Whirl car found in a Faribault junkyard was restored and placed on public display downtown as a tribute to the city's amusement-ride manufacturing heritage.

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• 2011Sellner Manufacturing sold to Larson International

  Following financial difficulties and missed payments on a loan from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault, Sellner Manufacturing was sold to Larson International of Plainview, Texas. Larson continued manufacturing the Tilt-A-Whirl and other Sellner rides.

  M&ABankruptcy
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1. Sellner Manufacturing