The Thrills and Chills of Roller Coasters

Presented by: Patrick WestonProject 16: Roller Coaster Thrills

January 19, 2012

Roller Coasters can be very entertaining and fearful at the same time. It is one of the greatest sensations a human can experience. People of all ages desire this sensation and they will continue riding again and again. It is very popular and I would recommend that everyone tries it.

The History of the Roller Coaster

What was considered to be the first successful commercial roller coaster made its debut in 1884 at New York's famous Coney Island. LaMarcus A. Thompson constructed the first roller coaster, the primitive Gravity Switchback Railway. This was created to attract people that wanted to try it.

Did you know?

Below are 10 fun and interesting facts about roller coasters1. The roller coaster traces its origins to Russia2. The Russians made wood-framed ice slides sent sledders down 70-foot high

slopes as early as the 16th century3. Most conventional roller coasters do not have engines4. In 1959, the first ever tubular steel roller coaster was created5. Cedar Point theme park has the highest number of roller coasters6. The oldest recorded roller coaster was built in 1904, and now stands in Lakemont

Park, Pennsylvania.7. The longest wooden coaster is Beast at Kings Island8. Kingda Ka takes the top spot for the largest drop of any roller coaster, 418 feet

from the top of the largest drop to the bottom9. Coney Island Cyclone is the most famous roller coaster10. The longest roller coaster in the world is the Steel Dragon 2000

Fastest Roller Coasters in the WORLDRank Speed

(Mph)Roller Coaster

Amusement Park

Location Year Opened

1 128 Kingda Ka Six Flags Jackson Township, NJ

2005

2 120 Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2003

3 106.9 Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

2001

4 100 Tower of Terror Dreamworld Queensland, Australia

2004

5 100 Superman: The Escape

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Valencia, California, USA

2005

6 95 Steel Dragon 2000 Nagashima Spa Land

Mie Prefecture, Japan

2003

7 93 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2000

8 85 Titan Six Flags Over Texas

Arlington, Texas 2001

9 85 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain

Valencia, California

2000

10 82 Phantom’s Revenge

Kennywood West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

2001

Fastest Roller Coasters in theUNITED STATES

Rank Speed (Mph) Roller Coaster Amusement Park Location Year Opened

1 128 Kingda Ka Six Flags New Jersey 2005

2 120 Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Ohio 2003

3 100 Superman Escape Six Flags Magic Mountain

California 2005

4 93 Millennium Force Cedar Point Ohio 2000

5 85 Titan Six Flags Over Texas

Texas 2001

6 85 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain

California 2005

7 82 Phantom’s Revenge

Kennywood Pennsylvania 2001

8 79 Son of Beast Kings Island Ohio 2000

9 70 El Toro Six Flags New Jersey 2006

10 68 The Voyage Holiday World Indiana 2005

Roller Coasters in Action

Click here to see the Scream Roller Coaster in action

Click here to see the Raging Bull Roller Coaster in action.

I have had many experiences with roller coasters. I believe that I have been on at least 30 roller coasters in my lifetime and I plan on riding many more. Some of the roller coasters I have been on include the legendary Kingda Ka and El Toro. My first roller coaster ride was very nerve racking. I did not want to ride it but my dad made the decision for me. After riding I had to thank him I had so much fun. Roller coasters are truly the most thrilling adventures a human can be a part of.