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Roller coasters are popular thrill rides made of steel or wood with ups, downs, sharp turns, and loops. The first coaster was the Switchback Railway in 1812, and the first steel coaster was the Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1959. Modern coasters use innovative technology, such as launched carousels and elevator lifts. Roller coaster records include Kingda Ka for tallest steel coaster and Formula Rossa for the fastest. Despite their reputation, modern coasters are safe, but accidents can happen due to operator negligence, mechanical failure, or rider health concerns.
Roller coasters are thrill rides that work like a railroad track and are a highlight of theme parks around the world. They are made of steel or wood and include a series of ups and downs, sharp turns, track loops and corkscrew-like elements. A roller coaster is a favorite ride for thrill seekers and has evolved considerably since its days as a glorified slide.
Experts discuss the first roller coaster ride. Some suggest that the construction of ice slides in 17th century Russia is skilled. Others argue that a 17-year-old French build that featured cars stuck on a track is the very first version of the ride. In 1812, designer LaMarcus Adna Thompson envisioned what would become America’s first coaster, the Switchback Railway. The Coney Island ride featured bench seating and involved walking an 1881-foot (600 m) track to a second station, where the car would be switched to a return track. The track was replaced with a full oval circuit a few years later.
A major innovation was the hill climb, created by Phillip Hinkle in 1885 and first used on his ride, Gravity Pleasure Road. The lift climb was placed at the start of the ride, using a cable or chain to haul the race cars up a steep incline. The lift hill remains common in modern coasters, although the original hills were about 40 feet (12 m) high, while today they reach dizzying heights of up to 456 feet (139 m).
In 1959, Disneyland opened the first steel track roller coaster, the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Until that time, most coasters were wooden structures. Steel rails, unlike their wooden predecessors, are highly flexible in design, as the steel components can be made into any desired shape. This new technology has allowed the incorporation of the thrilling elements appreciated today, such as rings and corkscrews.
Early roller coasters – and some modern ones – were propelled by a chain or rope lift to the top of a hill, and then allowed to coast around its loop. Modern innovation has created several alternative ways to power a coaster. Since the late 20th century, launched carousels have become popular, using electromagnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic systems to propel the car along its course. Many feel these systems provide a smoother ride than the earlier chain/cable versions. Some new coasters come with an elevator lift, which flips vertically to place the train at the top of the lift hill, eliminating the time consuming uphill ride.
Roller coaster records are sought after by manufacturers and parks alike to give distinction to their rides. As of 2012, the records for tallest steel roller coaster and tallest drop belong to one ride, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The fastest is Formula Rossa, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which can reach 149.1 mph (240 km/h). As of 2012, the record for tallest vertical loop belongs to Superman: Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, at an impressive 145 feet (44 m), although a ride with a 160 loop was under construction in California feet (49m). For those who really can’t get enough of thrill rides, the park with the most roller coasters is Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, with 17 rides in operation and one under construction as of 2013. Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario, it has 16 active rides, while Cedar Point, Ohio has 15 different rides (and one is expected to open in 2013).
Despite their reputation as thrill rides, modern roller coasters are extremely safe and controlled systems. A 2001 study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that of 319 million annual visitors to U.S. amusement parks, 134 people sustained injuries requiring hospitalization and two deaths occurred . Modern coasters employ multiple safeguards, however, accidents can happen.
Most often, these are the result of operator negligence in following safety procedures, but they can also be caused by mechanical failure. Other crashes can be caused by riders with previous injuries or by people with medical conditions not suited to extreme thrill rides. Before boarding any coaster, riders should review the safety information and check with a doctor if they have any health concerns.
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