Roller Coaster: Where the Thrill Came From
What’s your favourite amusement park ride? Are you partial to a carousel? Or are you fonder of spinning tea cups? According to a recent poll, the American public love the roller coaster — perfect news for National Roller Coaster Day. In today’s blog, we’re going to chase the thrill of what goes into making these contraptions. Plus, the history behind these rides.
What is a Roller Coaster?
Found in amusement and theme parks, the roller coaster employs a form of:
- elevated railroad track designed with tight turns
- steep slopes
- occasionally inversions
People ride along the track in open cars.
The roller coaster is divided into two main categories:
- Steel: With tubular steel tracks, they offer a smoother ride and the ability to turn riders upside-down.
- Wooden: Renowned for producing “air time: through the use of negative g-forces, these tracks are built with flat steel.
There exists a third classification which is a hybrid of wood and steel elements. For example, the track is made out of steel but the support structure from wood.
Additionally, these rides are distinguished by their:
- Train Type: 4th Dimension, bobsled, flourless, flying, inverted, mine train, mountain/aplin, pipeline, spinning, stand-up, suspended.
- Track Layout: boomerang, corkscrew, dual-tracked, figure 8, out and back, shuttle, terrain, twister.
- Mechanics: chain-lift/cable, ferris wheel life, launched, powered.
- Height: Kiddie (for younger riders), mega/hyper (for thrill seekers), giga (height/drop of at least 300 feet), strata (400 feet heigh/drop).
How Do They Work?
Did you know: roller coaster trains aren’tt typically powered? Instead, they gain their momentum by being pulled up a lift by a chain or cable and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred to kinetic energy. Which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next hill. A properly-designed outdoor track results in a train having enough kinetic energy to complete the track under a variety of weather conditions.
However, not all rides feature a life hill. Other launch mechanisms include a:
- flywheel
- linear induction motor
- linear synchronous motor
- hydraulic launch
- tire drive
Thus, these carts reach greater speed using less track than life-hill rides.
The History
The oldest roller coaster lived in the “Russian Mountains” in an area that is now Saint Petersburg. Constructed in the 17th century, slides were built to a height of 70-80 feet, had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wood supporters.
However, the first modern roller coaster wouldn’t appear until 1817 in Parc Beaujon, Paris. It featured wheeled cars lock to the track. Guided by rails to keep them on course, these rides allowed for higher speeds. Eventually, these rides lost their popularity.
In the same century, a mining company sold tickets for thrill seekers wishing to ride their coal delivery railroad. This idea sparked the Switchback Railway which opened at Coney Island in 1884.
By the 20th century, the popularity of the roller coaster began to revive. That, plus the development of new technology, has turned the ride into a much-desired activity.
Fun Facts
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has the world’s fastest roller coast with a speed of up to 149 miles per hour.
- Are you afraid of heights? Then the tallest ride at Jackson. NJ’s Sixflags is not for you! At 456 feet it beats the second tallest by 36 feet.
- The Smiler at Alton Towers in the UK is perfect for thrill-seekers wanting the most inversions — it will turn you on your head 14 times!
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