For years, history has believed the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island on June 26, 1884. However, tracing J.G. Taylor’s patent and newspaper articles tells us a different story.I like the drops and turns, but some people like loops. Vox examines those as it asks and answers Why roller coaster loops aren't circular.
According to the Providence Evening Press dated June 1872, Taylor’s elevated railway at Rocky Point, Rhode Island extended 400 feet and gave nine passengers a ride. It all started with a shove, allowing gravity to do the rest.
What do you enjoy most about the thrill of rollercoasters?
The G forces were out of this world.Whee! And some history, science, and engineering, too!
...
If you’ve ever been on a modern looping roller coaster, you’ve probably experienced a thrilling, safe, and mostly comfortable ride. But this wasn’t always the case. Just over 100 years ago, loop-the-loops were painful, not sturdy, and much more dangerous than they are today.
Between the 1840s and early 1900s, loops on roller coasters were perfectly circular — meaning riders would go from traveling in a fairly straight line to immediately moving into a curve. This rapid onset of curvature caused extreme G force spikes that rattled passengers to their core.
The first looping roller coaster in North America — Coney Island’s Flip-Flap Railway — could exert up to 14 G's on a person. For reference, astronauts in a spaceship launch experience 3 G’s. Fighter pilots with very special equipment and training can handle 10 G’s for short periods of time. 14 G’s was (and still is) tremendous.
More people paid to watch others ride these early coasters rather than ride themselves. Without sustained success, most looping coasters closed down within their first decade of operation.
Looping coasters wouldn’t find success again until the 1970s with a new loop shape, new materials, many more cars — and, thankfully, fewer G’s. In this video, we break down all the advancements that helped make looping coasters the popular ride they are today.
CNBC asks a more serious question, Are Roller Coasters Actually Safe?
While amusement parks have been around since the 1550s, rides are not federally regulated. State-regulation only began in 1981. At Six Flags, and most other theme parks, the company spends millions on safety while following international safety standards and other independent examinations. And while rides are becoming faster, taller, and bigger, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, ride-injuries are becoming increasingly rare. In 2019, there were .8 injuries per million rides.The answer is yes, especially compared to transportation outside of the parks.
Since today is also National Rum Day, I'm going to celebrate with a rum drink recipe from a theme park. Take it away, Theme Park Bar with Captain's Mai Tai | How to Make Disney World's Best Rum Drink | Walt Disney World Bars!
Learn how to make Walt Disney World's most popular drink, the Captain's Mai Tai. This fruity drink is the best rum cocktail in Disney World Resorts! Inspired by the original recipe by Trader Vic this magical rendition brings in some pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine to bring up the sweetness and make the drink "instagram ready"[.]That was fun and informative enough that I subscribed to the channel. Look for more from it during Halloween, Christmas, and St. Patrick's Day.
1.25oz Spiced Rum
.5oz Amaretto
.5oz Lime Juice
4oz Pineapple Juice
.25oz Dark Rum
No comments:
Post a Comment