-
Period: Nov 1, 1400 to
Evolution of the Rollarcoaster: 1400's to 2100
-
Dec 1, 1400
Rollarcoasters: 1400's- 1500's
The basic idea of the rollarcoaster was invented in the early 1400's to the 1500's in Russia. During the winter, 70-foot hills were made of wood and packed with snow, then sprayed with water. People would then be led down the hill by a guide on a sled. Later, wheels would be added to the sleds to enjoy sledding when there wasn't any snow-- in the summer. -
"Wheeled Rides" Arrive in France
The first wheeled rollar coaster, called the "Russian Mountain," was in Paris, France, in 1804. It consisted of a conveyor belt system, where wooden buggys carried people down a slope on metal rails. However, these coasters were not very safe and often killed or severly injured people. -
Rollarcoasters in America: 1870's
France eventually got tired of the idea of Rollarcoasters, and Richard Knudsen and J.G. Taylor suggested them in North America. They called it, "Inclined Plane Railways," where the force of gravity would slowly pull people down a hill in buggies. Then, an elevator like system would bring the buggies back up. -
Rollarcoasters in the Roaring 20's
America in the 1920's was a time of change: during this time, plenty of new rollarcoasters were being developed. Over 1,500 rollarcoasters were built since the economy was great after the war (world war 2.) Rollarcoasters were becoming a lot safer by now. -
The Production of Rollarcoasters Decreases
During the Great Depression and World War 2, the production of rollarcoasters halted, as did the upkeep. Many rollarcoasters were torn down because the metal was needed for the war. By 1948, there were only about 300 rollarcoasters left, less than one-fourth of the amount in the twenties. Abandoned rolalrcoasters were everywhere. -
Disney Land Opens
In 1955, Walt Disney opens Disneyland, after a long time of rollarcoasters not being around. In 1959, "The Matterhorn" was added to the park, it being the first modern steel rollar coaster. The bobsled-like cars ran on tubular tracks with nylon wheels. Safety standards were a lot higher by now. This image shows the Matterhorn in 1959. -
Rollarcoasters are Reborn
After the opening of Disneyland, rollarcoasters were everywhere. Safety standards were high at this point, making rollarcoasters very safe. By 1997, Six Flags created a ride that could reach speeds of over 100mph. Today, rollarcoasters are everywhere-- from local fairs, to Six Flags, to Disneyland, and many more. Thanks to modern technology, laws of physics, and safety expectations, are safe and fun for everyone. This picture shows "The hulk," a ride at Universal Studios. -
Rollarcoasters 10 years in the Future
In ten years, I think rollarcoasters will be even more advanced. Now that rollarcoaster designers have the idea of physics and safety down, I think rollarcoasters will start to have more themes, rather than just superhero and mountain names. Maybe there will be a...Michael Jackson ride, who knows???Rollarcoasters might be more of a game environment, where you interact with other things, rather than just holding on and screaming your head off. -
Rollarcoasters 20 Years in the Future
By now, I think Rollarcoasters will start to become even more outrageous than they are now, in 2012. Many rides could be filled with many loops, and could have a ride through an underground cave. Rollarcoaster designers might start to consider bringing rollarcoasters to a whole new level: to caves, underwater, through trees, the city, who knows what else? -
Rollarcoasters 50 Years in the Future
By now rollarcoasters might start to defy the laws of physics and safety... imagine a ride where you don't have to be strapped in! You could be shot out of a cannon and land safely 300 feet away, with no risk of injury. Rollarcoaster designers could find a way to make rollarcoasters with less metal...but more fun. Who knows how?
