Roller Coaster History
Discover the history of the world's most popular thrill ride – the Roller Coaster. Explore this series of articles on roller coaster history, to learn about the origin, development, and evolution of this legendary amusement park ride.
Roller Coaster History Series
Author's Introduction
Begin your ride with a introduction from roller coaster historian Adam Sandy.
Where the Roller Coaster Began
The Beginning
The origin, it begins with a simple slide.
Early Years in America
The first American roller coaster is born.
Early 1900s Roller Coasters
Roaring Twenties
The popularity boom and the sudden building craze.
Coney Island History
Sodom by the sea at America's most famous amusement parks.
Depression and World War
The dark days arrive for the roller coaster.
60s & 70s Bring Change to Roller Coasters
Sixties Amusement Parks
The demise of the classic amusement park and the birth of a new breed, the theme park.
Sixties Wooden Coasters
The calm before the building storm begins again.
Theme Park Building Boom
John Allen and Kings Island make for a winning combination.
Late Seventies
The start of the modern looping roller coaster.
Decade of Roller Coaster Innovation
Enter the Eighties
Wood was put aside for more variety in steel with the debut of stand up and suspended roller coasters.
Late Eighties
Final years of the decade dominated with rides from Anton Schwarzkopf and Arrow Dynamics.
90s Modern Day Scream Machines
Nineties Steel Coasters Part 1
Nineties Steel Coasters Part 2
Nineties Steel Coasters Part 3
Bigger and better roller coasters arrive as designers now attempt to push the limits in size and designs.
Nineties Wooden Coasters
New wooden legends in the making.
Credits and Acknowledgements
Learn about the people who influenced the design and innovation of the Roller Coaster.
Harry G. Traver
A Legend... this designer is best known for his triplets of terror.
Walt Disney
The inventor and innovator of today's modern Theme Park.
Noteworthy Designers
Philadelpia Toboggan Company
National Amusement Devices
Prior & Church
Family Designers
Charles Looff
Erwin and Edward Vettel
John Perce
Roller Coaster Timeline
Through the years an outline of significant milestones in roller coaster history.
Roller Coaster History series written by Adam Sandy exclusively for Ultimate Rollercoaster®.
