PDA

View Full Version : Your thoughts

Nethero
08-21-2007, 12:38 AM
Does anyone know what the first roller coaster ever built was?
SnooSnoo
08-21-2007, 03:00 AM
A coaster in Russia that ran on ice... 1885 maybe?

I'm not positive about the details, but I do know Russia for sure.
-Cherry Coke-
08-21-2007, 04:10 AM
I thought it was a coaster for Coney Island... But I don't know much, so you better take SnooSnoo's answer.
Nethero
08-21-2007, 05:01 AM
A coaster in Russia that ran on ice... 1885 maybe?

I'm not positive about the details, but I do know Russia for sure.

As a track or as a fuel?
The Ghost
08-21-2007, 11:53 AM
The first coaster that ever operated was Les Montagnes Russes a Belleville in France in 1817. The first American coaster was La Marcus Thompson Switchback Railway at Coney Island in 1884.

BTW, Russian ice slides operated in the 1500s and 1600s. They dont really count as coasters since the were just on ice, not track.
Harpo
08-21-2007, 11:53 AM
I've got a book that talks about the history of the roller coaster, but it's at home and I'm at work. Oh well. However, here is a roller coaster history (http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/start/index.shtml).

It shows that my memory isn't all that bad! I was thinking that the Russian ice slides were from the 1600's. Sure enough, this web site shows that they were from the 17th century.

The book I've got indicated that the first wheeled roller coasters were built in the early 1800's in France. The web site indicates there's a "dispute" regarding who added wheels. It refers to a book that states the first wheeled coaster was built in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1784. Others have indicated that the first coasters where built in 1817 in France. The first two were Les Montagues Russes a Belleville and Promenades Aeriennes.

The Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway is considered to be the first American roller coaster, dating to 1872, when it was used for coal transport. In 1873, it was used for carrying passengers instead of coal.
Dattu
08-21-2007, 12:40 PM
The precursor to the roller coaster were just ramps covered with ice in Russia that people would slide down in a sled. This is where the name "Les Montagues Russes ..." and "La Montaņa Rusa" came from ("Russian Mountain" in French and Spanish, respectively). I don't know if the French name is still used, but I do know that roller coasters are still called "montaņa rusas" in Spanish-speaking countries.

Just a bit of neat trivia there...
SnooSnoo
08-21-2007, 12:53 PM
Yes! So I was right.. just WAY off in the date. Boo ya!


As a track or as a fuel?

Defintely a fuel... ;)