Laff In The Dark Patent Drawings Traver had a somewhat overactive imagination when it came to dreaming up diabolical devices for dark rides. We know some stunts were built, but others probably did not stand the test of practicality. Above: passengers colliding with a fake car and rider - a painted board with a bumper, hinged to swing away when hit. Below: the car
approaches a mirror image of itself as riders prepare for another crash.
Above: A statue topples into the path of an oncoming car. The track veers out of the way to avoid mishap should the statue fail to resume its upright position in a timely manner. Below: A pawl protrudes from the car's side (91) to scrape against a ratchet-toothed sidebar (92) connected to a suspended section of sheet metal, causing it to rattle like thunder. An illuminating device (96) consisted of two arc carbons, energized with current and repeatedly struck together to emulate flashes of lightning - basically a reciprocating arc welder. Rides that didn't end up being burned down by this contraption and the aforementioned spark-spitting dragon
probably survived as much by dumb luck as by diligence.