The Thrills and Chills of Roller Coasters Presented by: Patrick Weston Project 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 coasters 1.The roller coaster traces its origins to Russia 2.The Russians made wood-framed ice slides sent sledders down 70-foot high slopes as early as the 16th century 3.Most conventional roller coasters do not have engines 4.In 1959, the first ever tubular steel roller coaster was created 5.Cedar Point theme park has the highest number of roller coasters 6.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 Island 8.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 bottom 9.Coney Island Cyclone is the most famous roller coaster 10.The longest roller coaster in the world is the Steel Dragon 2000

Fastest Roller Coasters in the WORLD RankSpeed (Mph) Roller Coaster Amusement Park LocationYear Opened 1128Kingda KaSix FlagsJackson Township, NJ Top Thrill DragsterCedar PointSandusky, Ohio DodonpaFuji-Q HighlandFujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan Tower of TerrorDreamworldQueensland, Australia Superman: The Escape Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California, USA Steel Dragon 2000Nagashima Spa Land Mie Prefecture, Japan Millennium ForceCedar PointSandusky, Ohio TitanSix Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas GoliathSix Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California Phantom’s Revenge KennywoodWest Mifflin, Pennsylvania 2001

Fastest Roller Coasters in the UNITED STATES RankSpeed (Mph)Roller CoasterAmusement ParkLocationYear Opened 1128Kingda KaSix FlagsNew Jersey Top Thrill Dragster Cedar PointOhio Superman EscapeSix Flags Magic Mountain California Millennium ForceCedar PointOhio TitanSix Flags Over Texas Texas GoliathSix Flags Magic Mountain California Phantom’s Revenge KennywoodPennsylvania Son of BeastKings IslandOhio El ToroSix FlagsNew Jersey The VoyageHoliday WorldIndiana2005

Roller Coasters in Action Click here to see the Scream Roller Coaster in actionhere Click here to see the Raging Bull Roller Coaster in action.here

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.