The Thrills and Chills of Roller Coasters

Presented By: Claire O’ConnorProject 16: Roller Coaster ThrillsJanuary 18,2012

Roller coasters are very thrilling and one of my favorite things to do. They are very popular amongst people of all ages because they are very exciting. In the beginning everyone if nervous and full of jitters and you always end, wanted to go on again and again. People of all ages can enjoy it as long as they have a tough stomach.

The History of the Roller CoasterThe first roller coaster was built in 1784 in Russia. It was built because they wanted to have a path way to Paris. It was built using lumber and nails. The first roller coaster in America opened up in 1884 at Coney Island in New York. John Miller introduced the first under friction roller coaster.

Did You Know?...Below are ten fun and interesting facts about roller coasters:1. The fastest roller coaster reaches a top speed of 149 miles per hour.2. The tallest roller coaster is Kingda Ka3. The longest roller coaster is in Japan and covers 8133 feet 4. The Colossus roller coaster in Thorpe Park, England, has 10 inversions5. Oldest roller coaster still standing is in Pennsylvania6. Longest time someone spent on a roller coaster is 401 hours7. 102 roller coaster set record for the most amount of people riding a

roller coaster nude8. Most conventional roller coasters do not have engines, instead they

work by converting potential energy into kinetic energy.9. In 1959, the first tubular steel roller coaster was created10.Cedar Point has the highest number of roller coasters, with 17

different rides to choose from.

Fastest Roller Coasters in the WORLDRank Speed Roller Coaster Amusement Park Location Year

Opened

10 82 mph Phantom Revenge

Kennywood Pennsylvania 2001

9 85 mph Goliath Six Flags California 2000

8 85 mph Titan Six Flags Texas 2002

7 93 mph Millennium Force

Cedar Point Ohio 2000

6 95 mph Steel Dragon Nagashima Spa Land

Japan 2001

5 100 mph Superman Six Flags California 2000

4 100 mph Tower of Terror Dreamworld Austrailia 2001

3 106.9 mph

Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland Japan 2001

2 120 mph Top Thrill Dragster

Cedar Point Ohio 2002

1 128 mph Kingda Ka Six Flags New Jersey 2006

Fastest Roller Coasters in the UNITED STATES

Rank Speed Roller Coaster Amusement Park Location Year Opened

10 66.3 mph The Boss Six Flags Missouri 2001

9 67 mph Mean Streak Cedar Point Ohio 2000

8 67.4 mph The Voyage Holiday World Indiana 2002

7 70 mph El Toro Six Flags New Jersey 2000

6 78.4 mph Son of the Beast King Island Ohio 2001

5 85 mph Goliath Six Flags California 2000

4 93 mph Millennium Force

Cedar Point Ohio 2000

3 100 mph Superman Six Flags California 2000

2 120 mph Top Thrill Dragster

Cedar Point Ohio 2002

1 128 mph Kingda Ka Six Flags New Jersey 2006

Roller Coasters in Action

I have ridden on a countless amount of roller coasters. Some being the rock n’ roller coaster, wildcat, boulder dash, and many more. My first roller coaster experience was very exciting and I have enjoyed riding roller coasters all of the time since then. Roller coasters make me feel happy, nervous, excited, thrilling, etc.