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While far from my favourite ride, personally, the Top Spin is an interesting example. For me it epitomised why exactly Huss were one of the most popular manufacturers in the world. Of course, there was the indisputable build quality and reliability the Huss had become synonymous with, but it was the universal appeal that caught my eye, with the ride being equally as popular in parks as it was in fairs.

There are still fifteen Top Spins travelling around continental fairs, particularly (as you’d expect) Germany and France, most with all the mod cons such as transportable pools complete with fountains.

Theme parks, meanwhile, have also been quick on the uptake. Notable examples of their popularity are Lex Luthor at Movie World Madrid which opened just a few years ago (showing their long-lasting appeal), while Six Flags purchased several when they took over from Walibi Group.

Like fairs, there are around fifteen still operating in parks, offering a versatile attraction as intense as the park so desires, but also with two rows of 20 riders, some valuable eye candy, too.

Interesting, pre-dating KMG’s obsession with differently sized rides, Huss went on to offer the Top Spin 2, a pocket-sized 28-seat version of the original. At least four still operate around Europe, along with the 30-or-so originals, which meant that parks of varying sizes, as well as showmen of varying calibres, were all well catered for.

So, what kind of coup dethroned the mighty king of amusement rides? As far as I can work out, their downfall is pretty much all their doing.

Remember, while Huss were market leaders for over 20 years, they have never been immune from a bit of healthy competition. When they launched the Breakdance, they arrogantly boasted that no ride could ever have as many axes of rotation.

With the main turntable, the satellites and the cars themselves, the Breakdance boasted three axes of rotation. Mondial’s reply to the Breakdance was the Shake, a ride that – with the turntable, the satellites and each car spinning both horizontally and vertically – spun on four axes.

Nevertheless, Huss’ flair, simplicity and sheer popularity won through in the end. Only a handful of Shakes were sold, their popularity cast into the shadows of the Breakdance, a ride that was easier to transport, had a higher capacity and was more profitable.

But the creative energy that had Huss riding a wave of success through the 90s seemed to run out of momentum towards the end of the millennium.

After something of a development hiatus, news came from Bremen that a world first ride would be coming from the hallowed halls of Huss. After a sustained period of teasing, Fly Away was announced to a murmur of indifference.

Fly Away was simply a redesign of the 30 year-old Enterprise, replacing the traditional gondolas with restraints that hold riders in the flying position. Reflecting the half-hearted attempt at research and development, just three Fly Aways were sold to parks globally.

Another folly – and it pains me to call it that – was the Booster.

Huss didn’t borrow the idea from Fabbri – Fabbri borrowed the name and little else, as the rides couldn’t be more different. The Huss Booster – like the Fly Away – is a 21st century take on a classic.

Unlike Fly Away, though, the Booster is an utterly magnificent ride. Using the Breakdance as a template, instead of the horizontally spinning cars, the Booster flips the axis so that cars roll from side to side culminating in sideways loops. Continues...