Diving Bell architect/concept man

Junior · July 28, 2010, 08:09:23 AM

Over the last several months I have been in touch via email with Tom Reidenbach, who, back in 1975, was approached by Jack Herschend to come up with some new park concepts for SDC, including the diving bell. The originator of the diving bell idea, and the architect for the attraction, is Tom. Our emails have been infrequent because he was doing some consulting work for a big theme park in China. I recieved an email from him today...and he informed me he is undergoing treatment for cancer. I ask that you all say a prayer for this man...Tom is very gifted in what it is he does. He also helped design the King Kong attraction at Universal, he has worked for Disney, (part of a team that worked directly with Walt just prior to his passing) and if you visit Magic Kingdom in Florida, scattered throughout the park you will see some of his work. Tom has worked for many theme parks around the world, and is a top man in his field. Again, please pray for this man...along with several talented folks at SDC, he helped shape the park in the Ozarks that you love so much!

Ozark Outlaw · July 28, 2010, 09:01:35 AM

Cancer always seems to get "the good guys" in life. It sounds like he was a key component to several theme parks, and it is amazing to hear how hard he worked behind the scenes to bring so many people happiness. Thankfully that is something that no amount of cancer can take away from him.

He will definitely be in my thoughts during this challenging time he is going through. Thank you for sharing.

Junior · August 17, 2010, 08:07:14 AM

I heard from Tom again a couple of days ago. He tells me his treatment in Texas left him feeling much better, and that he is going back for a check up in September. Again, I hope you will pray for this fellow, who did so much to shape the look and feel of not only SDC, but also other theme parks like Disney, too.

Junior · September 18, 2010, 12:23:58 PM

Spoke with Tom on the phone yesterday. He's had treatment in Texas and is back in home state of Florida, feeling much better he says.

Ozark Outlaw · September 18, 2010, 12:39:51 PM

Thanks for the update Junior! I am sure he is no where near being "out of the woods" just yet, however, I am glad to hear that he is feeling better.

Fury Fire Chief · September 18, 2010, 03:53:46 PM

Was he involved with the Fire in the hole/Blazing Fury concept? If not does anybody know who was?

Junior · September 19, 2010, 08:14:13 AM

Don't think he did anything with FITH/Blazing Fury. Diving bell was his biggest success with SDC, but he was involved in other things around park over the years. Did a lot of stuff for Disney, Universal, and other parks. Most recently he's worked in China for a big theme park being developed there.

MissinTheGreenTrams · September 20, 2010, 05:10:53 PM

I will most definatly keep him in my prayers! Cancer stinks on ice and should be irradicated! here is to another 60 years!

Junior · October 08, 2010, 03:31:49 PM

WOW! Got a package in the mail from Tom a few days ago with about 50 photos of the development stages of the diving bell. Shots of them filming the diving bell movie in California, shots of the test capsule on the employee parking lot behind Lake Silver, interior shots of the the original capsule, plus a few shots of a concept Tom came up with called Hound Dog Jubilee that never was implemented fully by SDC. All the shots are from spring of 1977. As soon as I can, I will post a few on Flickr. Man, these photos are GREAT! When I have the chance to release the diving bell booklet project to a general audience, these photos will be included. It will probably be next week before I can post a few of these, but it will be worth the wait.

MissinTheGreenTrams · October 08, 2010, 03:58:25 PM

let me know when and I stress when you get the newest addition of your book out cuz I want to see those pics. I hope they come up soon!! That sounds like great stuff!!

okiebluegrass · October 10, 2010, 08:29:19 AM

Guess I'm gonna have to brush up on my diving bell trivia so I can get one. LOL

Junior · October 21, 2010, 10:09:52 AM

A couple of weeks ago, I promised to share a few shots of the early concept and development period of the diving bell. The photos are from Tom Reidenbach, the man who came up with the concept of the diving bell. Go to my Flickr site listed at the top of this thread, and you will see:

1) Tom at his drawing board, working on a proposal rejected by SDC "Hound Dog Jubilee"
similar to the "Country Bears" attraction at Disney. Tom was among the last of the
people PERSONALLY SELECTED BY WALT DISNEY to be on the Disney design team.
He applied what he learned at Disney to the concepts pitched to SDC.

2) The diving bell film was shot on location at a film production studio in California in the
winter of 1976-77. A vinyl swimming pool was set up on a parking lot next to the studio
and prop "rocks" were placed in the pool. A camera on a boom moved around and in
between the rocks. Special effects of fish and debris in the water were added. When
the film was projected onto a screen in the diving bell capsule, it appeared as if the
diving bell was really underwater!

3) Shot from spring, 1977, of the original diving bell capsule, later known as capsule "C"
or "Charlie" capsule by the Juniors. The capsule was initially constructed on the back
parking lot behind Lake Silver next to a metal maintenance building. In the photo you
will notice a nose cone on the capsule. The projector was in the tip of the cone, and
the film was projected back onto the screen at the front of the diving bell. It did
appear as if the capsule was really underwater to park guests! Under the capsule you
will see a stock tank full of water. The water was pumped into geyser pipes in the
capsule and through a hose to where the "rock" broke through the wall in the explosion
scene. After testing and publicity shots inside the capsule were taken, the capsule
was moved to the building that housed the diving bell. (Now the building houses the
Lost River) Notice the old Pinto or Maverick car with old style Missouri license plates
on the parking lot!

These are among about 40 or 50 shots Tom sent me to include in the upgraded diving bell booklet project I hope to release in a few weeks or so. We will see what happens! Cross your fingers and say a prayer! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the rare photos. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SEEN BY THE PUBLIC. SDCFans.com members are the first to EVER see these. I told Tom I also hope to write a short article about the design and development phase of the diving bell, and publish it in a few months. I'll post whatever gets published here on SDCFans.com, so be looking for them!

Junior · October 21, 2010, 10:18:48 AM

Whoops! Go to the General SDC talk section and look under the "New! Diving Bell Booklet" thread, and you can link to the Flickr site.