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Zamboni: The Iceman Cometh |
Tidbit Archive
| Ask almost any hockey fan, ice skater, anyone who reads "Peanuts,"
and most other North Americans (and people from other parts of the world,
too) what comes to mind when they think of an ice rink and chances are
they will say "Zamboni." The tractor-like machine that resurfaces
the ice between periods in a hockey game and at regular intervals at other
skating rinks has managed to capture the imaginations of millions of people.
The popularity of Zambonis is interesting. They are slow and clumsy looking and travel at about 9 miles per hour. Neither sleek, nor streamlined, they are based on a technology that dates from the late 1940s. What does it feel like to drive one? According to one writer, "think about steering and driving on ice from the trunk of your car." Perhaps it is the very homeliness of their appearance that endears them to people. Or maybe is just the idea of having an excuse to drive a motor vehicle on ice. You might think the Zamboni came from Canada, but in fact it was invented by Frank J. Zamboni, an inventor and entrepreneur living in Southern California, who, with his brother Lawrence, was in business making refrigeration equipment for dairies. Looking for a way to build on their experience with ice and refrigeration, they saw an opportunity in the growing popularity of ice skating and, in 1939, opened a rink in Paramount, CA, which they called "Iceland." (It's still there, by the way.) The challenge of maintaining a smooth surface on the ice led Frank Zamboni to develop the machine that carries his name. The Zamboni Company has sold more than 6,500 of its machines since they were introduced in 1949 and they are in use in over 60 countries around the world. |
Links:Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc., of Paramount, California. This is the firm that makes the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine. A great site, including the story of the invention of the Zamboni, the full line of Zamboni machines, a logo shop, an opportunity to subscribe to an electronic newsletter, and Zamboni e-postcards to send to your friends.
An excellent Zamboni fan site, created by Gerald T. Burrell of Windsor, Ontario, whose diverse work experience includes driving one.
Tim Kellison's Zamboni fan site. Another excellent site, including a wealth of facts, photos, and movies.
"Zamboni," by Theresa Loong, who has always wanted to drive one, in Charged, an online magazine. Nicely written and designed article largely about the guys who drive them.
Zamboni clothing and accessories: T-shirts, caps, backpacks, etc.
"The Zen of Zamboni: The Art of Ice Resurfacing," by Elijah J. Howell, ice maintenance specialist, a Zamboni driver who clearly loves his job.
Zonker's Lego Zamboni. It was supposed to be a good luck charm for the San Jose Sharks, but it hasn't seemed to work that way.
An electric ice resurfacing machine made by Canadian Electric Vehicles, Ltd., of Errington, British Columbia. The browser title line calls it a "Zamboni," but Zamboni & Co. (and their lawyers) would probably not agree.
The Great Zamboni. Photos of Zambonis and other ice resurfacing machines at work at various ice rinks in North Dakota (Bismark, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, and other cold places). "What a hockey mom does in her spare time."
"Every Designated Driver is a Great One." Funny QuickTime movie of a Budweiser commercial featuring Wayne Gretzky and a Zamboni. Requires QuickTime plug-in and helps to have a fast connection. On AdCritic.com.
The Zambonis. "North America's favorite all-hockey band." (I suppose one could ask how many all-hockey bands there are in North America, but never mind . . . )
Listing for Zamboni in the inventors section of About.com.
Labatt's blue Zamboni screen saver. A free download (3.6MB) for fans of hockey and Canadian beer.
"The Iceman Bummeth: Zellar's 'Zamboni' is Just Too Darn Hot," by Jim Walsh, St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer-Press (September 29, 2000). Article about Martin Zellar's musical tribute to the "magical, mystical machine that glides over the ice and metaphorically smooths over life's rough edges." "There's something Zenlike about it," says Zellar, who's made "a ton of money" from the song.
The grave of Frank J. Zamboni (1900-1988) in All Souls Cemetery, Long Beach, California.
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