The Thrills and Chills of Roller Coasters
Presented by: Samarah Cook
Project 16: Roller Coaster Thrills
6/9/11
Why Are Roller Coasters Amazing?
Have you ever had that feeling when you walk into an
amusement park that it is not going to be fun, because of all the
waiting around. If yes, roller coasters are the thing for you!
They boost up your adrenaline, and as soon as you get off the
ride, you feel so vibrant and alive!
Roller coasters are so popular amongst people of all ages.
Younger children feel accomplished after they ride the “big kid”
ride. Adults and elder people ride roller coasters for the sake of
“being young again”. We all have our reasons to ride them!!!!!
The History of the Roller Coaster
The first roller coasters be built appeared in Russia in the 17th century, in a
particular area that would become St. Petersburg. The structures were built
out of lumber with a sheet of ice several inches thick covering the surface.
Riders climbed the stairs attached to the back of the slide, sped down the 50
degree drop and ascended the stairs of the slide that laid parallel and opposite
to the first one. There is still some dispute as to who actually added wheels to
the equation and created a roller coaster.
The first roller coaster ever built in the United States was said to be built by
L.A. Thompson and opened at Coney Island, New York in June, 1884.
John Miller introduced the first under friction roller coaster in 1912. This design
held the coaster train on the track and allowed more speed, steeper hills, and
less drag or less friction applied on the coaster.
Did You Know?...
Below are ten fun and interesting facts about roller coasters:
1. Two of the fastest roller coasters are the Steel Force and the Desperado.
2. The listed above roller coasters are one of the tallest at 225 feet.
3. There once was a man that didn’t talk for six years because of shell shock,
but after a ride on the Coney Island Cyclone, he told his friend, “I feel sick.”
4. Some of the items people find under roller coasters besides wallets, change,
and keys are: glass eyes, fake legs, brassieres, and false teeth.
5. There are only seven roller coasters that are currently operating that reach
200 ft.
6. Tallest wooden roller coaster is, Hercules. It is 175 ft. tall.
7. The tallest roller coaster is 415 ft. tall.
8. The Superman Escape at Six Flags has the longest air time at 6.5 seconds.
9. Cedar Point has 17 roller coasters to choose from.
10. Kingda Ka has the longest drop at 415 ft. from the top to the bottom.
Fastest Roller Coasters in the WORLD!
Rank
Speed
Roller
Coaster
Amusement
Park
1
150
mph
Formula
Rossa
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi,
United Arab
Emirates
Novembe
r 2010Present
2
128
mph
Kingda
Ka
Six Flags
Great
Adventure
Jackson
Township,
New Jersey,
USA
May
2005Novembe
r 2010
3
120
mph
Top
Cedar Point
Thrill
Dragster
Sandusky,
Ohio, USA
May
2003May 2005
4
107
mph
Dodonp
a
Fujiyoshida,
Yamanashi,
Japan
March
1997Decembe
r 2001
Fuji-Q
Highland
Location
Year
Opened
How it feels to ride the Formula
Rossa
Fastest Roller Coasters in the UNITED STATES!!
Rank
Speed
Roller Coaster
Amusement Park
Location
Year Opened
1
128
mph
Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great
Adventure
Jackson
Township,
New
Jersey,
USA
May 2005November
2010
2
120
mph
Top Thrill
Dragster
Cedar Point
Sandusky, May 2003Ohio,
May 2005
USA
3
99 mph
Superman:
Escape From
Krypton
Six Flags Magic
Mountain
Valencia, March 1997California, December
USA
2001
4
90 mph
Intimidator 305
King Dominion
Doswell,
Virginia,
USA
Not given
Riding Kingda Ka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Past Experiences
Roller coasters haven’t been my favorite thing at the amusement
park, but there are a few that I have been on. I prefer the wood
roller coasters to the metal ones. This is because they don’t go
as fast, but are more fun to ride on in my opinion. My first roller
coaster ride experience was at Lake Compounce. It was made of
wood and went moderately fast. I prefer this ride rather than
outrageous rides found at six flags. Roller coasters make me feel
alive, young, scared, excited, and of pure enjoyment!