June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century, there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country.
Roller coaster amusement rides have origins back to ice slides constructed in 18th-century Russia. Early technology featured sleds or wheeled carts that were sent down hills of snow reinforced by wooden supports. The technology evolved in the 19th century to feature railroad track using wheeled cars that were securely locked to the track. Newer innovations emerged in the early 20th century with side friction and under friction technologies to allow for greater speeds and sharper turns. By the mid-to-late 20th century, these elements intensified with the introduction of steel roller coaster designs and the ability for them to invert riders.
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http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterHistory/ - A Brief History of Roller Coasters
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http://mentalfloss.com/article/57246/brief-history-roller-coaster - Roller Coaster History, Records and Pictures
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http://www.rollercoastermuseum.org/ - Roller Coaster Museum
