The Thrills and Chills of Roller Coasters Presented By: Claire O’Connor Project 16: Roller Coaster Thrills January 18,2012

Roller coasters are very thrilling and one of my favorite things to do 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 Coaster The 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: The fastest roller coaster reaches a top speed of 149 miles per hour. The tallest roller coaster is Kingda Ka The longest roller coaster is in Japan and covers 8133 feet The Colossus roller coaster in Thorpe Park, England, has 10 inversions Oldest roller coaster still standing is in Pennsylvania Longest time someone spent on a roller coaster is 401 hours 102 roller coaster set record for the most amount of people riding a roller coaster nude Most conventional roller coasters do not have engines, instead they work by converting potential energy into kinetic energy. In 1959, the first tubular steel roller coaster was created Cedar Point has the highest number of roller coasters, with 17 different rides to choose from.

Fastest Roller Coasters in the WORLD Rank 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 Titan Texas 2002 7 93 mph Millennium Force Cedar Point Ohio 6 95 mph Steel Dragon Nagashima Spa Land Japan 5 100 mph Superman 4 Tower of Terror Dreamworld Austrailia 3 106.9 mph Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland 2 120 mph Top Thrill Dragster 1 128 mph Kingda Ka 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 New Jersey 6 78.4 mph Son of the Beast King Island 5 85 mph Goliath California 4 93 mph Millennium Force 3 100 mph Superman 2 120 mph Top Thrill Dragster 1 128 mph Kingda Ka 2006

Roller Coasters in Action

I have ridden on a countless amount of roller coasters 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.