I Pitched a Roller Coaster to Disneyland at Age 10 in 1978
A charming retro-futuristic tale recounts how a 10-year-old's ambitious, multi-loop roller coaster design was submitted to Disneyland in 1978. The heartwarming, encouraging response from WED Enterprises, despite not adopting the design, provided invaluable validation that forged a lifelong inventor's resilience. Hacker News applauds this inspiring personal narrative, sparking a flood of similar nostalgic anecdotes about childhood creativity and the profound impact of early encouragement.
The Lowdown
In a delightful journey back to 1978, the author shares the genesis of their inventive spirit, sparked by a thrilling ride on Space Mountain. This experience ignited a challenge in their 10-year-old mind: why not an upside-down roller coaster? What followed was a testament to youthful ambition and perseverance.
- Inspired by Space Mountain, the author conceived a four-loop roller coaster named the 'Quadrupuler,' validated by his older friend Daschle, who informed him a single-loop coaster was already being built elsewhere.
- Undeterred, the author meticulously drew blueprints, scaling heights in 'story's' and noting speeds in MPH, showcasing a detailed yet childlike vision.
- Building a model proved challenging, taking months and requiring innovative solutions, like heating plastic strips over a stove to form the loops, a process that involved careful safety considerations after a previous fire incident.
- Upon completion, the 'masterpiece' was pitched to Disneyland via a letter and Polaroids, leading to a nail-biting wait for a response.
- The reply came from WED (Walter Elias Disney) Enterprises, the Imagineering division, with a kind and encouraging letter from Tom Fitzgerald, acknowledging the 'adventure' of the Quadrupuler.
- This letter, rather than deflating the author, provided immense validation and self-esteem, becoming a 'bulletproof resilience' against future rejections.
- The author continued to invent, including a modified Rubik's Cube, and later found a career in acting, seeing both as expressions of discovery and the inventing spirit, guided by the motto 'one piece at a time.'
The story beautifully illustrates how a single, positive interaction from a large institution can profoundly shape a young individual's belief in their own capabilities, fostering a lifelong drive to create and persevere against challenges.
The Gossip
Childhood Creativity & Corporate Correspondence
Many commenters shared their own nostalgic tales of youthful invention and reaching out to major companies as children. From designing tic-tac-toe computers to pitching video game ideas to Nintendo and Lucas Arts, the responses varied widely. Some received encouraging letters like the author, while others, unfortunately, encountered legal disclaimers. This theme highlights the profound and lasting impact these early corporate interactions had on budding innovators, whether positive or negative.
Analog Nostalgia & Modern Disconnect
The discussion often pivoted to a longing for the pre-internet era, when receiving a physical letter from a company felt genuinely magical and personal. Users contrasted this with today's automated, often impersonal digital communications, questioning whether contemporary children can still experience the same kind of formative, tangible validation. There was a consensus that the 'magic' of such interactions has largely diminished with the shift from postal mail to generic email addresses and AI bots.
Validation's Vitality & Persistent Progress
A recurring sentiment centered on the immense power of early validation and its role in fostering resilience. Commenters emphasized how the simple, encouraging words from Disney profoundly affirmed the author's inherent inventive drive, equipping them with the fortitude to navigate future rejections. The discussion underscored the critical importance of positive feedback for young creators and the lasting influence it can have on their unwavering commitment to 'keep going, one piece at a time.'