A Brief History of Roller Coasters

Preface: Hi everyone, my name is John and I will be writing the Coaster Chat series here at Hidden Amusements. This series will aim to teach you about what makes roller coasters what we know and love (or fear, for some of us)! Each post will cover a different topic relating to the history, manufacturing, and design concepts of roller coasters. This week, we are kicking it off with a brief history of roller coasters. So sit back, hang on tight, and enjoy the read!

Coaster Chat 1: A Brief History of Roller Coasters!

Part 1

In the 1880's, A factory owner in Indiana, LaMarcus Thompson, saw that the entertainment world was being swayed by immorality. It troubled him that people were so distracted. Inspired by a trip to Mauch Chunck, PA, he came up with the concept for a wooden roller coaster. In Mauch Chunck existed a coal mining train that traveled 9 miles down the mountain to the loading bay. As workers discovered the fun of traveling down on it, the public began taking an interest as well. The company started charging people a dollar to ride it, and it became the number one tourist attraction in America. In 1881, Thompson sold his business and used the money to develop a 600 ft. long switchback-railway. In an effort to keep people from Sinfulness and Satan, as a devout Christian, he sold the first one to Coney Island, which was a resort known for its immorality. His mission? a success! at 5 cents a ride, he made the equivalent of $15,000 daily. It was so successful that he made many more across the world. He died a very wealthy man, having spawned a new, billion dollar industry.

Switchback Railway at Coney Island (Public Domain)

Part 2

In 1904, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) was created. They were most notable for their roller coasters, but perhaps more-so the esteemed engineers who designed them. Two designers cemented in roller-coaster history, John Miller and John Allen, both designed several beloved coasters during their time at PTC. John Allen often remarked that The Racer at Kings Island was perhaps his finest roller coaster. PTC has not constructed any new roller coasters since the 1970s, but remains active in the industry, providing cars and maintenance services for their wooden coasters throughout the world. Be sure to check out this week's post on another PTC coaster, the defunct Big Dipper of the Geauga Lake amusement park.

The Racer at Kings Island (Public Domain)

On November 16th, 1945, Arrow Development was formed. While no longer a company, having gone bankrupt, Arrow was still one of the most influential companies in the rollercoaster business. They got their start from other thrill rides, but they are notorious for designing the first steel, tubular rail coasters. The very first coaster of this type was Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, in California. They are also known for creating the first inversions, Corkscrews, on steel coasters. In the middle of bankruptcy, Arrow opened X (now X2) at Magic Mountain in Valencia California. X was the last Arrow coaster.

X2 at Magic Mountain (WillMcC)

The last manufacturer we will cover is Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). B&M is well known for their innovative coaster designs, such as the Dive Coaster, Wing Rider, Flying Coaster, Stand Up Coaster, and Inverted Coaster (there are others as well). B&M came into the amusement scene in 1988, founded by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, who both previously worked for a manufacturer called Giovanola. They are very prominent, and you will likely see one of their coasters if you go to an amusement park. Their coasters are known for the box shaped track spine. This spine is hollow, along with the supports, which causes the track to "roar" as the train goes by. B&M is well regarded by the public and roller-coaster lovers alike, making their coasters a good fit for any major park.

Raptor at Cedar Point (John German)

We will cover these three manufacturers and more in the future, as well as other cool things related to roller coasters. In the meantime, feel free to comment with any questions or topics you would like to learn more about and I will be sure to address them in future posts!

Here is a list of notable coasters:

Corkscrew (Knott's Berry Farm) - First modern coaster to go inverted

Son of Beast (Kings Island) (defunct) - First (modern) wooden coaster to go upside down

The Beast (Kings Island) - Longest wooden Coaster

Steel Dragon 2000 (Nagashima Spa Land) - Longest Coaster

Magnum XL 200 (Cedar Point) - First coaster over 200 ft.

Millennium Force (Cedar Point) - First coaster over 300 ft.

Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point) - First coaster over 400 ft.

Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure) - Tallest coaster (458 ft.)

Formula Rossa (Ferrari World) - Fastest Coaster (149 mph)

The Smiler (Alton Towers) - Most Inversions (14)

 

Please leave questions below, and I will address them directly, in future posts. 

Ride On! - John

Sources

LaMarcus Thompson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he0ayNefASc

PTC: https://www.philadelphiatoboggancoastersinc.com/

Arrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKgVxx5Wu8 

B&M: https://www.bolliger-mabillard.com

Top 10 Ways to Stay Safe at Amusement Parks

 Top 10 Ways to Stay Safe at Amusement Parks 

By Kayla Noretta Miller

March 08, 2021

Credit: parks-recreation.com 

Going to an amusement park can be a great getaway for families of all makeups. Although amusement parks are one of the safest locations to go for vacation, it is understandable that you’d want to know exactly how to maneuver your experience to make sure it’s as safe as can be. This article should help you understand the top 10 fundamentals everyone should know before going to an amusement park to ensure a safe trip!

1. Follow The Rules! 

Credit: themeparkinsider.com 

“Riders, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the vehicle at all times, and remain seated until the ride comes to a full and complete stop and you’re instructed that it’s safe for you to exit! Sit upright and hang on tight and enjoy your ride!” 

This is the simplest and easiest way to ensure a safe trip! All amusement parks have a set of rules that they have created to keep everyone in the park as safe as can be. The rules may seem ridiculous from your point of view. However, these rules were highly thought out and implemented for a sound reason. Before entering a ride, make sure to read the rules that are posted outside of rides, listen to the operator when they spiel, and most importantly, follow them! The most common way that riders end up hurt on a ride or attraction is through simple negligence and breaking the rules. 

2. Watch Your Children 

Credit: familyvacationcritic.com 

You may know the rules, but that doesn’t mean that your children do or that they understand the importance of following the rules. Children, especially young children, have a tendency to run off or get into things that they’re not supposed to, knowing where your children are and what they are doing at all times during your visit, can prevent any mishappenings. With that being said, make sure that your children are getting on age-appropriate rides and attractions. You know your child’s limits better than they do most of the time. Even if they’re tall enough to ride, that doesn’t always mean that they should. Remember that a scared child is a dangerous child. 

3. Take Breaks Between High-Intensity Rides

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Respect your body! The jerky movements, significant speeds, being thrown upside down, and the general rough nature of amusement rides can put a high strain on your body. Loyola University Health System’s (Chicago) pediatric neurologist, Ryan Coates, M.D., suggests taking a ten to fifteen-minute break between high-intensity rides and attractions. This can allow your body to heal and reset before taking on the next ride. This would be a good time to hydrate up! 

Recently, I visited Dollywood in Tennessee. After being jostled around on one of the rides, I had a major headache. The first thing I did was stop and get a complimentary cup of water. This break allowed me to take a moment to catch my breath. After this short break, I was able to regain my bearings, making my overall experience there more enjoyable! 

4. Be Conscientious About Food and Beverage

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Stay hydrated! This cannot be stressed enough. By staying hydrated, we’re talking water, water, and more water! You’ll want to stay off those sugary and caffeinated beverages that just leave you more dehydrated than when you started. Another common threat of amusement parks is forgetting to sit down and eat. With all the distractions and thrilling adventures, it sometimes slips your mind to eat regular meals. Although those sugary and greasy foods may be tempting, take some time to eat more fulfilling and healthier options. It might be a good idea to plan specific times during the day to eat. By doing so, you’ll be able to break up your day in a more efficient way and alleviate the stress of remembering to take breaks. 

5. Sunscreen Up! 

Credit: kalahariresorts.com

Any vacation can leave a lasting impression in the form of a sunburn. Yikes! To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and use it throughout the day. Forgot it while wrangling the kids up? Most amusement parks offer sunscreen within the park that you can buy. Something to keep in mind, if you’re planning on riding any water rides, or maybe you’re going to a waterpark, you’ll need waterproof sunscreen. 

6. Phones Down and Hands Up!!! 

Credit: 1440wrok.com

In this day and age, it seems that everyone has a cellphone. Oftentimes guests may feel the urge to videotape their ride on the fastest roller coasters or the silliest of rides. Which is all fun and games until there’s an unexpected jolt that causes the phone to fly out of your hand and smack the person behind you. This can lead to a severe injury! Make sure you’re securing those phones outside of the ride. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Ask Reanne Mayfield how she feels about cellphones being secured on rides! In June of 2018 she suffered a head injury from a flying cellphone at Kings Dominion. A man ahead of her had forgotten to zip up his pocket before the train had taken off. Part of the way through the ride, Mayfield noticed an object flying right at her. This is the kind of terrible thing you’re risking by not securing your loose items before leaving the platform. 

7. No One Should Ever Be Forced To Ride 

Credit: liveabout.com

Extremely scared riders, especially young children, are dangerous riders. When someone reaches a point of fear, rational thought goes right out the window. This can cause them to squirm their way right out of the restraints with enough effort. They can also pose a threat to other riders and overall ride safety. Just remember, what seems like a fun experience to you can be horrifying for someone else. 

8. Stay Out Of Restricted Areas

Credit: detroit.cbslocal.com

Those restricted ride areas are restricted for a reason. If you lost something on a ride, that is not an excuse to jump the fence. Your life is more valuable than anything that you may have lost. If you’re desperate to retrieve an item, ask a staff member. A great example of why you should steer clear of restricted zones comes from an incident in 2015, at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. A 45-year-old teacher was hit in the head by the roller coaster, Raptor, while searching in the restricted ride area for his phone that he had lost during his ride. The intensity of his injuries resulted in death. 

9.  Know Where The First-Aid Stations Are Located

Credit: themeparktourist.com

Regardless of how careful you’re being, the most common form of injury in amusement parks are bumped heads and scraped knees. Make sure when you pick up one of those maps upon entering the park that you take note of where the first-aid stations are in case of an emergency. If you do find yourself in an emergency, locate the nearest associate and they should be able to bring the first-aid to you. 

10. Have A Meeting Place

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In the event that you were to get separated from a member of your party, it is a good idea to identify a safe and central location to meet up. Once this location is identified, make sure that all members of your party are aware and that young children understand where exactly to go. Another good idea is to make sure to write your phone number on the arms of small children that may not have a cell phone and might have trouble remembering a phone number. If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to find a member of your party, locate the nearest associate and ask for help; they’ll know what to do.