Roller Coaster Research Paper

Jacob Hendricks

Ms. Kujawski

Stem Institute

May 18,2015

Roller Coasters

Roller coasters are very interesting but very confusing when you think of the engineering part of it. Roller coasters have been around for a long time. Rollercoasters are fascinating because they are controlled by physics. Understanding roller coasters helps people understand physics and gravity.

The earliest form of a roller coaster began to appear in Russia in 1400. The first rides were built and operated in France. In the 1600s, the first rides designed with wheels were built and operated in Paris in 1817. The coaster was transferred to the Frascati Gardens in Paris. The 13-foot diameter loop is at the bottom of a 43-foot drop.

The Mauch Chunk Railway in Pennsylvania

in 1972 The Racer designed by John Allen opened at Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1975 The world's first modern looping roller coaster opened at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. In 1976 Revolution at Mag77ic Mountain in Valencia, California opened. In 1977 Anton Schwarzkopf introduced the first weight drop "Shuttle Loop" coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. In 1978 Irn-Bru Revolution an Arrow Dynamics "Shuttle Loop" coaster opened at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England. In 1979 The world's longest roller coaster The Beast (7,400 feet) opened at Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1980 The first roller coaster to have four inversions called Carolina Cyclone and it opened in March at Carowinds in Charlotte. In 1981 the legendary Bat roller coaster opened at Kings Island in Cincinnati. Viper at Darien Lake in Darien Center, NY opened in 1982. In 1982 The world's first stand-up roller coaster opened in Japan. Arrow Dynamics failed stand-up coaster opened at Six Flags Mid-America in St. Louis in 1984. In 1985 Phoenix opened at Knoebels in Elysburg, PA. It was relocated from Playland Park in San Antonio TX. The Vortex at Kings Island opened in 1987.

In 1991 The Ultimate, the world's longest roller coaster (7,450 feet) opened at Lightwater Valley in England. In 1994 Raptor opened at Cedar Point. Raptor is the tallest B&M Inverted, which (means upside down) roller

In 1992 Batman The Ride, the world's first "Inverted" roller coaster opened at Six Flags Great America. In 1994 Raptor opened at Cedar Point. Raptor is the tallest B&M Inverted roller coaster and the first to feature six inversions. In 1995 Dragon Kahn opened at Port Aventura in Spain and is the first roller coaster in the world with eight inversions. In 1996 Fujiyama at Fujiku Highlands in Japan opened as the world's tallest (259-feet) coaster and features the world's largest drop (235-feet). In 1997 Tower of Terror opened at Dreamland in Gold Coast, Australia. It becomes the world's tallest and fastest (100 mph) roller coaster. In 1998 Monte Makaya opened at Terra Encantada in Rio de Janeiro and is the second roller coaster to have eight inversions. In 1999 South America's first wooden roller coaster Montezum opened at Hopi Hari in Sao Paulo, Brazil. in 2000 Goliath opened (Feb) at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It features the world's largest drop (255 feet) and is the tallest (235-feet) and fastest full-circuit roller coaster in North America. in 2001 HyperSonic XLC, the world's first compressed air launched roller coaster opened at Paramount's Kings Dominion in Doswell. This means that the coaster is sent off by a big jolt of air. in 2002 Bolliger and Mabillard unveil their first Flying coaster, Air, at Alton Towers in England. In 2003 Top Thrill Dragster opened at