3 fun facts about roller coasters that you probably didn’t know about
Are you someone who is fond of rollercoaster rides? If all those rising and falling, twisting and turning mean real fun for you, then you’re an adventure lover for sure and you’ll probably be keen to know a little more about rollercoasters! You’ll be surprised to know that the world’s tallest rollercoaster is straight up the sky with a crazy height of 465 feet. Also, America has a day dedicated to this adventure ride. It celebrates a National Rollercoaster Day every year on 16th August. Well, there are more of these titbits in our kitty. Read on to know more
Roller coaster was invented in the US to distract Americans from sins
The first few known rollercoasters had unusually dark names, such as Daredevil Dive, Steel Vengeance and The Beast. Well, it turns out there was a reason behind this weird nomenclature: These rides were meant to be a distraction from Satan’s temptations. Wait, what does that even mean? Let’s give you the perspective.
In the 19th century, an American hosiery manufacturer named LaMarcus Adna Thompson, witnessed his countrymen getting drawn towards rather hedonistic means of pleasure. So, he decided to offer them clean alternatives and that is how America saw its first roller coaster in 1884 in Coney Island, New York. Thompson named it as Switchback Gravity Railway and made sure that the ride was affordable. Back then, it used to cost only five cents. He is rightly known as the Father of American Roller Coasters, isn’t it?
Russians made roller coasters with ice
Long before roller coasters were invented and got popular in the US, Russians had built their own version on top of mountains, which are now known as Russian Mountains. The Russians made their first roller coaster with ice, cut into hill shapes, featuring straw seats and supported by wooden structures. Popular as winter fun, especially among the upper-class circle, Russian Mountains used to offer a speed of 50 miles per hour. Even Russian Empress Catherine the Great was in love with roller coasters. She installed one at her palace in 1784 to make a summer version. Interestingly, Catherine’s roller coaster had rollers, wheels and grooved tracks added to it.
An American actor got struck by a goose while riding a roller coaster
If you have ever hesitated to board roller coasters because they soar too high and alarmingly close to birds, then your suspicion is not unfounded. It was 1999. A suave Italian-American actor and model named Fabio Lanzoni was riding a steel roller coaster named Apollo's Chariot at the Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park in Virginia, US. Reportedly, he was stuck by a goose on the face during the ride. However, according to Lanzoni, the goose struck a video camera, which hit him.