Comet at Hersheypark is a historic wooden roller coaster built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed by its president, Herbert P. Schmeck, with construction supervised by foreman Frank Hoover using local carpenters. It opened to the public in May 1946 as the last coaster added to the park by founder Milton S. Hershey. The "T"-shaped out-and-back ride crosses over Spring Creek twice and was initially painted green because Hershey preferred rides that blended into the park’s natural scenery and atmosphere; it was later painted white and remains so. After stepping down as president of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1954, Schmeck became president of its Associated Amusement Company division and personally oversaw Comet’s maintenance and operations until his death in 1956. Known for delighting generations of riders, Comet features several airtime-producing hills, reaches a top speed of 50 mph, and runs for 3,360 feet, enduring as the park’s oldest roller coaster.