NORTH CANTON, Ohio — The late Karl Bacon, an Oakland native who created the tubular steel track roller coaster, is one of 17 innovation pioneers whose inventions range from cancer treatments to satellite-based imaging to be honored in the 2025 class of National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees.
In partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Hall of Fame is set to honor these inductees Thursday, May 8.
Bacon and Ed Morgan engineered the world’s first tubular steel track roller coaster. Matterhorn Bobsleds, which debuted in 1959 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, set the standard for roller coaster design technology and paved the way for future innovations in the amusement park industry, according to a news release from Ken Torisky with the hall of fame.
For biographies of each inductee, visit invent.org.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.