Karl Bacon, a co-founder of Arrow, died last month. He was 98.

Bacon and partner Ed Morgan opened Arrow Development Co. in 1946. Bacon was a self-taught engineer, and Morgan manufactured for the firm.

The team built a merry-go-round for the city of San Jose. Then they were contacted by Walt Disney. He wanted them to build some rides for a theme park he was opening.

Other than Matterhorn Bobsleds, they also built Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Haunted Mansion.

And they also were innovators. They built the first high-speed flume, the corkscrew inversion, the single-rail guidance on car rides.

For more, visit the San Jose Mercury News.