The Roller Coaster Is More Than Just A Thrill Ride

Today, Roller Coasters dominate amusement parks across the world. With 672 roller coasters in the United States alone, and 3,656 operating coasters across the world this thrill ride is widely know, as well as enjoyed. However, when the majority of the population thinks of this common ride all it s known for is the excitement, butterflies, long waits in line, the speed and memories that come with it. It seems no one could name where the first roller coaster was built, how they came about, or even any of the simple physics involved. In reality, the Roller Coaster is more than just a thrill ride, it is all parts of physics including momentum, inertia, Newton s Laws,and friction. It is a symbol of dedication of its creator, safety, and even†¦show more content†¦It would get too warm, and the ice would melt, so the French began making wax slides. So, you can see how even in the early days of the Roller Coaster was continuously changing to better suit thrill lovers. It is still un known who actually built the first wheeled roller coaster. Robert Cartmell has given credit to the Russians. They supposedly built it in 1784 in the Gardens of Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg, however, no actual evidence remains to prove this, other than an engraving. More trustworthy evidence shows that France is responsible for adding wheels to the slides. It has been proven that by 1817 two coasters were built in France called the Les Montagnes Russes a Belleville and Promenades Aeriennes. The Russes a Belleville is believed to be the first coaster with an axle that could lock the cart into place. The coasters had two tracks side try side, so the axle could run between them. The Ariel Walk was the first to have two tracks traveling opposite each other in a heart-shaped layout. The first Roller Coaster with a loop was produced in Paris, France. It had a 43 foot drop hill, followed by a 13 foot wide loop. Extensive testing took place before the ride was opened. The first American roller coaster was the Maunch Chunk Switchback Railway in the mountains of Pennsylvania, built in the mid-1800’s. It was originally meant to send coal to a railway, but was reconstructed to be a â€Å"scenic tour.† The first successful American