Imagine a roller coaster that drops you at an angle steeper than straight down! That’s the Shell Razor, located inside the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. It holds the record for the steepest drop in the world at 121.5 degrees. This coaster also features seven loops and can speed up to over 60 miles per hour in just two seconds!
Let’s dive into the fascinating history of roller coasters, those incredible rides that have been thrilling people for hundreds of years. With insights from Professor Brendan Walker, a thrill ride engineer, we’ll explore why people love the excitement of roller coasters.
The first rides similar to roller coasters appeared in Russia during the 15th century. Known as Russian Mountains, these were intense sled rides down icy hills, reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour. Riders would climb up stairs and then zoom down on a sled made from a tree trunk or ice block.
In 1784, these rides got a major upgrade in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Carriages were introduced, and tracks were designed to go up and down hills. Catherine the Great even ordered the construction of what could be considered the first real roller coaster. These improved Russian Mountains became popular across Europe, and by 1804, a ride called Le Montana Russe opened in France. It featured wheels for a faster and smoother ride, although it was a bit more dangerous.
According to coaster historian Robert Cartmell, the thrill of these rides increased their popularity, even when injuries were reported. Over time, new safety features like locking wheels and continuous tracks were added, making the rides safer yet still exciting.
One of the most iconic roller coaster features, the loop-de-loop, was inspired by a children’s toy popular in England and France. The first loop-de-loop coaster opened in Paris in the 1840s, marking a big step forward in coaster design, even if it was a bit uncomfortable.
In the late 19th century, America saw the rise of many influential roller coasters. Lamarcus Thompson, known as the father of the American roller coaster, created the Switchback Railway at Coney Island in 1884. This ride moved at a thrilling six miles per hour and cost just a nickel to ride. Thompson added tunnels and painted scenery to enhance the experience.
However, there were other contenders for the title of “father of the American roller coaster.” John G. Taylor received a patent for improvements in inclined railways in 1872. His design was powered by its own momentum but lacked a stopping mechanism, which might explain why it wasn’t as popular as Thompson’s ride.
Interestingly, reports suggest Taylor may have built his ride in 1872, with over a hundred thousand people riding it. There are also stories about another inventor, Mr. Eastman, who might have created a similar ride around the same time.
In Pennsylvania, Josiah White, a mining entrepreneur, built the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway in 1827 to transport coal. This ride became popular with passengers, offering the thrill of flying down a mountain.
The history of roller coasters is complex, with many inventors and designs contributing to their evolution. Roller coasters truly began to take off in the early 20th century, with the first great North American coaster featuring a loop built at Coney Island.
As roller coasters evolved, they became bigger, faster, and more thrilling. The introduction of steel coasters reignited interest in amusement parks, leading to the rise of coaster enthusiasts who travel to experience different rides.
Today, we have rides like Kingda Ka, the tallest coaster in the world, reaching incredible speeds in just seconds. For nearly 600 years, humans have sought the thrill of speed and excitement, and it will be fascinating to see what innovations come next in the world of thrill rides.
Thanks for joining this exploration of roller coasters and the excitement they bring!
Research the history of roller coasters and create a timeline that highlights key developments from the 15th century to the present. Use images and brief descriptions to illustrate major milestones. This will help you understand how roller coasters have evolved over time.
Use your creativity to design a roller coaster. Draw a detailed plan that includes features like loops, drops, and turns. Consider the physics involved, such as speed and gravity, to make your ride thrilling yet safe. Share your design with the class and explain your choices.
Conduct a simple physics experiment using a marble and a track made from household materials. Explore concepts like potential and kinetic energy by observing how the marble moves through loops and drops. Record your observations and discuss how they relate to real roller coasters.
Find someone who loves roller coasters and interview them about their experiences. Ask about their favorite rides, what makes a coaster exciting, and any memorable moments they’ve had. Present your findings to the class to learn more about the passion behind roller coaster fandom.
Take a virtual tour of famous roller coasters around the world using online videos and resources. Note the unique features of each ride and compare them to the historical coasters discussed in the article. Create a presentation to share your favorite discoveries with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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This is the Shell Razor, a roller coaster built entirely inside the American Dream Mall in New Jersey. It features the steepest drop in the world, with a maximum vertical angle of 121.5 degrees, which is 31.5 degrees more than straight down. It has seven inversions and a maximum speed of over 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds.
I’m Justin Dodd, and this is “The History of Fun,” an exploration of the origins of humans having a good time. Today, we’re looking at roller coasters, the engineering marvels that have thrilled and terrified people for hundreds of years. With a little help from my buddy, Professor Brendan Walker, a thrill ride engineer and coaster expert, we’ll explore why humans are so obsessed with the feeling of almost dying upside down while going many miles per hour.
Let’s get started!
The first rides resembling roller coasters originated in the mountains of Russia, known as Russian Mountains. These were intense sled rides that started to appear in the 15th century. Riders would trek up stairs, get into either a cut tree trunk or an ice block fitted with a straw seat, and ride down an ice-covered hill, reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour.
In 1784, Russian Mountains received a significant upgrade in Saint Petersburg, where carriages for passengers were introduced, along with a grooved track that could go up and down hills. Catherine the Great ordered the construction of what is arguably the first actual roller coaster. These new and improved Russian Mountains spread throughout Europe, and in 1804, a ride called Le Montana Russe opened in France, featuring wheels that made the rides faster and smoother, albeit more dangerous.
According to coaster historian Robert Cartmell, the first recorded injuries to passengers actually increased the popularity of the ride, leading to more people flocking to experience the thrill. In the following years, new coasters opened with safety measures like locking wheels and continuous tracks, making rides safer while still thrilling.
One of the most iconic roller coaster features today emerged from a children’s toy popular in England and France called the loop-de-loop. This inspired the first loop-de-loop coaster, which opened in the 1840s in Paris. Although they were reportedly uncomfortable, they marked a significant development in coaster design.
During the latter half of the 19th century, many influential roller coasters were being built in America, thanks in part to Lamarcus Thompson, known as the father of the American roller coaster. He created Coney Island’s Switchback Railway, which debuted in 1884 and is considered the first modern American roller coaster.
The Switchback Railway moved at a thrilling six miles per hour, and it cost a nickel to ride. Thompson introduced tunnels and painted scenery, enhancing the immersive experience for riders. Soon, competitors emerged across the country, leading to the development of many coaster staples we know today.
However, there are multiple contenders for the title of “father of the American roller coaster.” One is John G. Taylor, who received a patent for improvements in inclined railways in 1872, well before Thompson’s Switchback Railway opened. Taylor’s design was powered by its own momentum, but it lacked a mechanism for stopping the car, which may explain why it wasn’t as popular as Thompson’s ride.
Interestingly, reports suggest that Taylor may have actually built his ride in 1872, with over a hundred thousand people riding it. However, there are conflicting accounts regarding another inventor, Mr. Eastman, who may have created a similar ride around the same time.
In Pennsylvania, mining entrepreneur Josiah White built the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway in 1827 to transport coal. This ride became popular with passengers, allowing them to experience the thrill of flying down the mountain.
In conclusion, the history of roller coasters is complex, with various inventors and designs contributing to their evolution. Roller coasters truly began to take off in the early 20th century, with the first great North American coaster featuring a loop built at Coney Island.
As roller coasters evolved, they became bigger, faster, and more thrilling. The introduction of steel coasters reignited interest in amusement parks, leading to the rise of coaster fanatics who travel to experience different rides.
Today, we have rides like Kingda Ka, the tallest coaster in the world, reaching incredible speeds in just seconds. For nearly 600 years, humans have sought the thrill of speed and excitement, and it will be fascinating to see what innovations come next in the world of thrill rides.
Thank you for watching, and I hope you enjoyed this exploration of roller coasters and the thrill they bring!
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This version removes informal language, personal anecdotes, and any potentially sensitive content while maintaining the core information and structure of the original transcript.
Roller Coasters – A type of amusement ride that consists of a track with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions, designed to thrill riders. – Roller coasters have evolved significantly since their early designs in the 19th century, becoming faster and more complex.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of engineering shows how ancient civilizations built impressive structures without modern technology.
America – A continent in the Western Hemisphere, consisting of North and South America, or often referring specifically to the United States. – America has a rich history of engineering achievements, including the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Design – The process of planning and creating something with a specific function or intention in mind. – Engineers must carefully design roller coasters to ensure both excitement and safety for riders.
Speed – The rate at which someone or something moves or operates. – The speed of a roller coaster is carefully calculated to provide a thrilling experience while maintaining safety.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. – Safety is a top priority in the engineering of roller coasters to prevent accidents and ensure rider protection.
Thrill – A sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure. – The thrill of riding a roller coaster comes from the combination of speed, height, and unexpected twists.
Evolution – The gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. – The evolution of roller coaster design has led to more innovative and exciting rides over the years.
Loops – Circular or oval paths in a roller coaster track that turn riders upside down. – Engineers must carefully calculate the forces involved in loops to ensure they are safe and enjoyable.
Engineer – A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures. – An engineer must understand physics and materials to create safe and exciting roller coasters.
