Zamboni: The Coolest Machines on Ice - Hardcover

Dregni, Eric

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760324395 ISBN 13: 9780760324394

Publisher: MVP Books, 2006

Synopsis

Until 1949, resurfacing an ice rink required a tractor-pulled shaver followed by three or four workers scooping away the shavings and then spraying and squeegeeing water. The process-including the refreezing-took more than an hour. That all changed when a tireless inventor by the name of Frank J. Zamboni, who also happened to own a 20,000-square-foot rink in Southern California, put his mind to creating a quality sheet of ice in a shorter time. The story of the machines he produced-now as beloved as ice skates and hockey pucks among winter sports enthusiasts-is fully told for the first time in this book, a fun-filled history of machine-age ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that forever changed the nature of sports on ice. Beginning with a prehistory of the machines, this fully illustrated book goes on to explore the early genesis of Zamboni ice-resurfacing machines, how a Zamboni works, tips from drivers, various models that have evolved through the years, colorful anecdotes from and about Zamboni drivers, and more. Entertaining sidebars examine such topics as Zamboni wipeouts, non-ice-resurfacing machines from the company, the Zamboni factories, Zamboni toys, and television ""roles."" Officially licensed, the book features a wealth of material from the Zamboni archives.

About this title

Book Description:

This fun-filled history explores the early genesis of Zamboni ice-resurfacing machines, how a Zamboni works, tips from drivers, various models that have evolved through the years, colorful anecdotes from and about Zamboni drivers, and more. Entertaining sidebars examine such topics as Zamboni wipeouts, competitors, non-ice-resurfacing machines from the company, the Zamboni factories, Zamboni toys, and television “roles.” Officially licensed, the book features a wealth of material from the Zamboni archives.

From the Inside Flap:

Here for the first time is the history of the wonderful, magical Zamboni! This ice-resurfacing machine has become the stuff of legend, an icon as beloved among winter sport enthusiasts as ice skates and hockey pucks—and it also happen to have a top speed of just 9 miles per hour!

Until 1949, resurfacing an ice rink involved a tractor-pulled shaver and three or four workers to scoop away the shavings and then spray and squeegee water. The process took more than an hour. That all changed when a tireless inventor by the name of Frank J. Zamboni—who also happened to own a 20,000-square-foot rink in Southern California—began pondering a way to create a quality sheet of ice in a shorter time.

Beginning with a prehistory of the machines that explores the Zamboni brothers’ So-Cal ice-making business and subsequent foray into indoor skating rinks, this fully illustrated book also traces the complete evolution of Zamboni ice-resurfacing machines. From Mr. Zamboni’s initial 1940s experiments, through his 1956 redesign based on a Jeep chassis and the brand’s 1960 Olympic debut at Squaw Valley, right up to today’s wildly painted, propane-powered models seen at NHL arenas, readers will witness the wide array of designs down through the years and learn how a Zamboni ice-resurfacing machine actually works.

Illustrated with a wealth of archival and contemporary photography and illustrations from Zamboni company archives, the book also features sidebars examining the appeal of Zamboni machines, proper usage of the word “Zamboni,” mishaps with the ice resurfacers, other products the company has produced, and more. A fitting tribute to one of the world’s most-beloved motorized vehicles!

About this edition

• Publisher: MVP Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0760324395
• ISBN 13: 9780760324394
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128