Lauren Friedman June 26 2004 In the Beginning

Lauren Friedman June 26, 2004

In the Beginning 1650 - The origin of the roller coaster dates back to the Russian ice slides built in the mid 1600’s.

1817 - Russes a Belleville was the first roller coaster to lock the cars to the track.

The Ariel Walk, located in France, was one of the world’s first roller coasters.

1846 - The world’s first looping coaster with a 13 -foot diameter was imported to France from England.

Into America 1872 - The Mauch Chunk Switchback railway is considered the first American roller coaster.

In 1878, Richard Knudson was one of the first to patent a roller coaster.

Coney Island, New York Thompson’s Switchback Railway opened in 1884 in Coney Island, New York. It charged five cents per ride.

The loop-the-loop was one of the first looping roller coasters in the world. It opened in 1901 in New York’s Coney Island.

The Dark Days of Roller Coasters 1929 - During the Great Depression many of the countries roller coasters fell into a state of disrepair.

Roller Coasters Rejuvenated 1957 - A number of dare devils attempted to jump between the racing trains on the cyclone racer in Long Beach, California. Some were lucky, some were not.

Amusement Parks Take Over 1975 - The Corkscrew at Knotts Berry Farm in California was the worlds first modern inverted roller coaster.

1987 - The Vortex at Paramount’s Kings Island was built featuring six inversions. It sparked a race among parks and designers to build taller and faster coasters.

1996 - Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa debuted as the largest inverted roller coaster. It featured seven inversions.

2000 Millennium Force at Cedar point was the first full-circuit roller coaster to break the 300 foot barrier.

References www. discoverychannel. com www. ultimaterollercoasters. com