Roller Coaster History
Roller coasters originated in Russia, as early as the 16th century. Originally they were wood framed ice slides that sent sledders down 70 foot high slopes. They also became popular summertime attractions when they added wheeled carts to them, that went down the ramps.
The first successful commercial roller coaster made it's debut at Coney Island in New York, around the year 1884. LaMarcus A. Thompson was the one who constructed it, and it was called the Gravity Switchback Railway. The ride was a huge success, and many like it were made worldwide.
As the technology used to make roller coasters progressed, they were able to make other kinds of roller coasters aside from the switchback and circular. For example, there was the Figure 8, the Scenic Railway, and the first highspeed roller coaster. Through out the 1920's, the roller coaster craze was unstoppable. Nearly 2,000 were bulit, and almost none of them are still up. However, in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's, there was a rapid decline in roller coasters, because of amusement parks closing down. There were many economic changes that didn't leave much for fun, so most roller coasters were just torn down.
Later on around the 1970's and 1980's, when roller coasters made a comeback, designers became interested in wooden roller coasters again. They were trying to stay with the classic look. However, at the same time, they were working on more modern, technological ones as well.
In the 1990's, roller coaster preservation became important. Especially wooden roller coasters. They rebuilt or improved many of the favorites, trying to keep them around. Now with all of our great technology, all kinds of roller coasters are around.