Credited as the person most responsible for the spread of amusement parks across the globe, Fred Ingersoll was one who took risks early on that advanced the amusement industry forward.

An early concessionaire operator who relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, Ingersoll took advantage of the early popularity of the new Figure Eight roller coaster in 1902 and with the help of Fred Henninger, built numerous Figure Eight roller coasters at various eastern US cities and states.  During these early years, Ingersoll and his associates built, promoted, and operated by 1907 five large amusements known as Luna Park – thus beginning the first chain of amusement parks with the same name and theme.

Luna Park was unlike many of the days amusement parks in that it featured elaborate architecture, themed buildings such as Japan Village, and the use of electricity throughout the facility.  The locations included Pittsburgh’s Luna Park, Cleveland Luna Park, Scranton Luna Park, Washington Luna Park and Parque Luna of Mexico.  And while the Luna Park name was popularized by Frederick Ingersoll, he in turn was inspired by the original Luna Park of Coney Island, New York.

As Ingersoll’s empire of amusements started to take off, he acquainted himself with a John A. Miller, who left the L.A. Thompson Company over what he felt were limitations on his engineering designs for the then Scenic Railways.  Ingersoll, who enjoyed overly aggressive business decisions encouraged Miller to design longer and more sensational rides for his Ingersoll Engineering Company and name Miller, Chief Engineer.

Miller’s name quickly became synonymous with the Ingersoll Engineering name.  Under Ingersoll’s company, Miller introduced the roller coaster train, made up on multiple cars, a rigid axle, and the Racing Roller Coaster. In addition, Ingersoll helped jump start the long successful career of Pittsburgher Joe McKee.  Miller, known as the father of the modern day roller coasters developed over 100 basic patents, most of which are still used to this day in roller coaster engineering.

Financial difficulty forced Ingersoll to relinquish control and ownership in his various companies by the mid 1910s.  And while Ingersoll was left without his successful companies, he found himself involved in the organization and development of what eventually became IAAPA.

During the later years of his life, Ingersoll remained active in the industry as a board member of the newly formed NAAP (National Association of Amusement Parks) and later as a concessionaire operator at Kurg Park in Omaha Nebraska.

Ingersoll is well remembered as a amusement industry pioneer who pushed for the development of the modern day roller coaster and helped lead the construction efforts to popularize the modern day amusement park