The Biography of Pip Thompson
Imagine a person called Philip Thompson who became famous for inventing new kinds of
funfair rides over a hundred years ago. Here is the outline of his life: Pip Thompson, born 4 th
January 1850 in Slewsbury. Helped his Uncle Henry at the funfair during the day and studied
at night. Invented new rides and won a prize for his inventions. Wrote a book about
fairgrounds with his wife Hettie. He died in Slewsbury in 1920. Your task is to write a short
biography about the life of Pip Thompson.
Here is what Alex wrote.
Have you ever heard of Pip Thompson? Probably not. Have you ever been to a funfair?
Probably yes. If you look closely at some of the best funfair rides, you may see a small
plaque, and on the plaque it will say: Invented by Pip Thompson (1850 – 1920). Not
many people know that. So here is a brief outline of the life of Pip Thompson: Philip
(Pip) Thompson, born 4th January 1850 in Slewsbury, died in Slewsbury 1920. (1)
Pip Thompson was eldest son of a family who travelled throughout England during the
summer months setting up their rides wherever people gathered to enjoy all the fun of
the fair. The family travelled in caravans but the heavier rides were usually sent on ahead
by the steam trains that had begun to criss-cross the countryside. It must have been an
exciting life for youngsters, visiting so many small towns, helping to set up the rides,
taking tickets and making sure other youngsters were safe and happy on the rides.
Remember that in Victorian times children were allowed and expected to work at a far
earlier age than nowadays. (2)
Even as a child, Pip Thompson was fascinated by how things worked. He was never
happier than when taking a piece of machinery apart and putting it together again – not
always successfully! Fortunately, Pip’s Uncle Henry was an engineer and he encouraged
his nephew’s interest in all things mechanical. The story goes that it was Pip Thompson
who invented the Waltzer as we know it. Originally, the ‘cups’ of the Waltzer in which
the riders sit, spun round only in a clockwise direction. It was Pip who invented the
method of making the cup spin both clockwise and anti-clockwise at irregular,
unexpected moments. This, of course, gives the riders the shock and thrill we love so
much today. (3)
Not only did Pip invent the Waltzer but he invented ‘The Wall of Death’, too. Using ‘G’
forces, the people are pinned to the Wall as they rise screaming high above the floor. For
this invention, Philip Thompson received the Inventors’ Medal for 1880. This was only
the first of many such awards and honours. (4)
Should you wish to find out more about this remarkable man, be sure to get a copy of his
book, written together with his beloved wife Hattie. This book not only describes Pip’s
greatest inventions but also paints a wonderful picture of the life and times of the funfair
people. (5)