Aurel Vaszin Papers
Scope and Contents
The Aurel Vaszin Papers, 1928-1979, address the accomplishments and international reputation of the Dayton designer and manufacturer of amusement rides and equipment. He is primarily remembered for introducing steel into roller coasters, increasing their size and popularity significantly, and for designing a variety of miniature, trackless trains. By following his career, the evolution of amusement parks from roller coasters, Ferris wheels and carrousels, to the large theme parks like Disneyland can be observed.
The material is arranged chronologically by type of document and contains numerous news clippings, feature articles, posed photographs, commercial postcards, and certificates of merit for trade involvements. Recent feature articles are helpful in placing Vaszin’s contributions within the scope of 20th century amusement trends, particularly when contrasted with a January, 8, 1928 article recounting his early life, pursuit and philosophy.
Dates
- Creation: 1928-1979
Creator
- Vaszin, Aurel, 1885-1979 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Biographical Note
Aurel “Dutch” Vaszin was born in Romania in April, 1885. When he came to the United States in 1904, he was a cabinet maker with a sixth grade education. He first came to Dayton, Ohio in 1913 as a craftsman employed by an amusement park development firm headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. After completing his assignment on the Lakeside Amusement Park, Lakeside Drive and Gettysburg Road, he planned to return to Dayton to establish his own business. As a result, he developed and opened the Forest Park Zoological Gardens on 43 acres located off of North Main Street. The Park was forced to close in 1935, a casualty of the Depression Era.
Vaszin’s firm, the National Amusement Device Company, located at 139 Hatfield Street for more than 60 years, was one of two leading manufacturers of amusement park rides and equipment in the country. In 1964, Vaszin designed and developed the world’s largest roller coaster, called “Russian Mountain” for Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, Mexico.
The business was sold in April, 1973, but Vaszin stayed on as a consultant until his death on May 15, 1979. He was survived by two sisters in Romania.
Extent
0.5 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Vaszin was a Dayton designer and manufacturer of amusement rides and equipment. His papers include clippings concerning his business, certificates of merit for trade involvements, and a small collection of photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged by format, then chronologically within each format.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University Libraries, by Mrs. Eva Berry, a friend of Aurel Vaszin, in April 1980.
Subject
- Forest Park Zoological Gardens (Dayton, Ohio) (Organization)
- Vaszin, Aurel, 1885-1979 (Person)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Aurel Vaszin Papers (MS-98)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Patricia R. Shama
- Date
- 1981 June
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020 March: The finding aid was revised according to DACS standards by Lisa Rickey
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092
library-archives@wright.edu
