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Jan 1, 1400
Russian Mountains
The first form of "roller coaster" appears in the Russian mountains laying the foundation for many roller coasters to come. -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Roller Coasters
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First
The first rides are built and operate in France. This made a profit for the person who owns the ride. -
Wheels
The first roller coasters with wheels appear in Paris making a functioning machine used exclusively for a ride. This layed a model for many new rides. -
Loop
The world's first looping roller coaster is designed and built in Britain, then shipped to Frascati Gardens, Paris. This provided more of a thrill and a new component to be repeated and improved in the creastion of roller coasters. -
Railway
The first switchback railway utilizing a chain lift opens in San Francisco. This sparked a new idea for making roller coasters. -
G-Force
The first ride with a vertical loop is built and opens. Due to excessive positive G-Forces that snapped riders' necks, the ride soon closes.Making a new thrill this drew an many new thrill seekers. -
Lapbar
Drop-The-Dips roller coaster opens and is the first to use a lapbar style restraint. This exercised the most important safety precaution that would continue to be used until modern day coasers. -
Cyclone
The famous Cyclone roller coaster at Revere Beach in Massachusetts opens. It closes soon after due to lack of ridership. -
Japan
The first major roller coaster opens in Japan. It was designed and constructed by TOGO. -
Disneyland
Walt Disney opens his first theme park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California. THis marks the beginning of many theme parks to open and create a new source of entertainment. -
Mister twister
John Allen's Mister Twister opens at Elitch Gardens in Denver, CO. -
Modern Loop
The world's first modern looping roller coaster opens at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. The Corkscrew designed by Arrow Dynamics featured two inversions. It was removed in 1989 and relocated to Silverwood Park in Athol, Idaho in 1990 where it continues to operate today. This provided yet another improvement in thrill making the modern roller coaster even more addictive. -
Corkscrew
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio opens the Corkscrew, the first roller coaster in the world to have three inversions. -
Standing Coaster
The world's first stand-up roller coaster opens in Japan. This began another revolution in the roller coaster world. -
Longest
The Ultimate, the world's longest roller coaster (7,450 feet) opens at Lightwater Valley in England. The Beast at Kings Island previously held this record -
Denver
Elitch Gardens relocates to downtown Denver, Colorado leaving John Allen's famous Mister Twister coaster behind. -
Dragon Kahn
Dragon Kahn opens at Port Aventura in Spain and is the first roller coaster in the world with eight inversions. -
Tower of Terror
Tower of Terror opens at Dreamland in Gold Coast, Australia. It becomes the world's tallest and fastest (100 mph) roller coaster. -
Montezum
South America's first wooden roller coaster Montezum opens at Hopi Hari in San Paolo, Brazil. This sparks roller coasters opening in many other places in the world. -
Kingda Ka
Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ opens. Designed by Intamin this "Rocket Coaster" takes the honor of being the tallest (456 feet), fastest (128 mph) roller coaster in the world. It also has the world's largest drop (418-feet).