Rollite

Eric Rollinson with wife, Moira, and son, Simon, demonstrating the strength of their Submarine ride at the Blackpool Exhibition - The Coin Slot, November 1968

Rollite was an arcade machine manufacturer, founded by Eric Rollinson in Filey, Yorkshire in 1967.  They began as a small enterprise but shot to fame in early 1968, following the release of their Moonraker pusher machine.  In February of that year, they increased their staff from 14 to 40 to cope with £75,000 worth of orders placed at the Amusement Trades Exhibition for the Moonraker, as well as their other machines, Planetarium and battery operated flying saucer cars.

Judging by newspaper articles from the time, sales director Peter Smalley seems to have been very good at his job and worked tirelessly at promoting the company and finding agents to sell their machinery in other countries, which definitely played a big part in their fast growth and success story.

Their part in the history of coin operated rides began in October 1968, when they released the "Rocking Ride", the same flying saucer seen in battery operated form earlier that year, but now available as a 'rocking ride' (in case the name didn't give that away!)  The flying saucer was quickly followed by Puff Puff, Submarine and Hovercraft.

Eric Rollinson was an inventor and always looking to create the "next best thing".  He created an anti-theft car key ejector in 1969, among other things.  Similarly, in the arcade business, he seems to have been constantly branching out into other aspects of the industry.  1970 saw Rollite embarking on a new pleasure ground venture in the midlands, along with Scarborough Zoo Managing Director, Don Robinson.  They also began making talking litter bins that year.  One Fred Flintstone bin in Nottingham had a collecting box in place of the bin and would speak to passers by asking them to contribute towards the local hospital's new kidney machine, as well as promoting local people and their businesses if they linked up with the charity drive.

Rollite amalgamated with Artisair in 1970, and Denis Weston, electrical engineer for Artisair, helped to design all of their rides and games from that point on.

In November 1972, Eric Rollinson sold the Rollite company name and manufacturing plant to EMJ Reinforced Plastics and, after a short holiday, started up again in the arcade business with Gaytimes Amusements Company Ltd.

Ride Releases

1968 - Puff-Puff, Rocking Ride, Submarine

1969 - Hovercraft, Hydroplane, Lifeboat

1970 - Farm Tractor, Horse, Koala Bear, Man in the Moon, Toby Tortoise

1973 - Vintage Car

Unknown - Speed Boat