Russian Mountain
It is believed by many people that the oldest rollercoasters built came from the so-called "Russian Mountains", These rides were specially built hills of ice, located around Saint Petersburg. The height of these rides were between 70 and 80 feet, the riders went through a 50 degree drop, and were rienforced by wooden supports.
However some historians believe that the first real roller coasters were built in Saint Petersburg under the order's of Russia's Catherine the Great in the year 1784. Others believe that the first roller coaster was built by the French. The Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville (The Russian Mountains of Belleville) constructed in Paris in 1817 and a ride called Promenades Aeriennes both featured wheeled cars that were locked safely onto a track, guide rails to keep them on the track, and the ability to reach higher speeds.
However some historians believe that the first real roller coasters were built in Saint Petersburg under the order's of Russia's Catherine the Great in the year 1784. Others believe that the first roller coaster was built by the French. The Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville (The Russian Mountains of Belleville) constructed in Paris in 1817 and a ride called Promenades Aeriennes both featured wheeled cars that were locked safely onto a track, guide rails to keep them on the track, and the ability to reach higher speeds.
The Switchback Railway
In the year 1827 a mining company created a downhill track to deliver coal, by the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" was providing rides to thrill-seeking customers for 50 cents a ride. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide amusement on days when ridership was low.
Enter LaMarcus Adna Thompson started working on a gravity Switchback Railway that would later open at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York in 1884. The passengers would ride a car that had benches in it from one tower 600ft further to another tower. After the switchback railway tracks were designed as an oval that had a complete circuit. Then in 1885 the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill was built. A year later Thompson patented his design of a roller coaster with dark tunnels and painted scenery. At the time they called the coasters "Scenic Railways"
Enter LaMarcus Adna Thompson started working on a gravity Switchback Railway that would later open at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York in 1884. The passengers would ride a car that had benches in it from one tower 600ft further to another tower. After the switchback railway tracks were designed as an oval that had a complete circuit. Then in 1885 the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill was built. A year later Thompson patented his design of a roller coaster with dark tunnels and painted scenery. At the time they called the coasters "Scenic Railways"
The End of the First Golden Age
By 1919, the first coaster with wheels that would keep the train from jumping the tracks was developed by John Miller. Soon after that roller coasters spread to amusement parks all over. one of the best known "historical" coaster, The Cyclone, was opened at Coney Island in 1927. When The Great Depression hit it marked the end of the first golden age of roller coasters, when amusement parks in general went into decline. The decline of roller coasters lasted until 1972, when The Racer s was built at Kings Island, The Racer was an instant success that began the second golden age.
Steel Roller Coasters
In 1959 Disneyland introduced a new design of roller coaster called Matterhorn Bobsleds. This was the first time roller coasters used a tubular steel track. Unlike wooden coasters the steel could be bent easily, this allowed designers to incorporate loops, corkscrews, and other special maneuvers into their design.
Now most modern coasters are steel but wooden coasters are still built.
Now most modern coasters are steel but wooden coasters are still built.