With the USA dominating most aspects of our modern lives, you may be forgiven in assuming that the first roller coasters were created in America. The name itself is believed to have originated in the US. Some sources tell us that rollers were fitted to a ramp down which a sled could coast. This article will outline the history and development of the roller coaster from primitive slides to what we know today and beyond.
Far from starting out in the USA, the first prototype coaster was developed in Russia in the sixteenth century. Well maybe developed is too strong a word, as they were little more than large ice slides. Such slides were sometimes known as “Russian Mountains.” Around a century later, Russians must have become tired of sliding down lumps of ice, because in the 17th century a coaster on wheels was constructed near St Petersburg. America jumped on the bandwagon in the 1840s by converting an old mining cart to take people at top speads of six miles an hour down a track, for a price of course. The world had to wait another 20 years before the first coaster to incorporate a looping track was unveiled in France. This ride was less than successful when it became clear that it was causing passengers neck and back injuries. Another example of an early French Coaster is the Russian Mountain. Named after the Russian ice slides, this ride carryed people down a track in small wagons. It was not unusual for these wagons to fall off the track before the ride ended. Despite the danger, or maybe because of it, the ride was very popular.
The coasters development continued throughout the early 1900s, but was put on hold by the outbreak of war in 1914. Coasters continued to be built and people don’t appear to have been put off by their poor safety records. Coasters would often colide, or their sharp turns caused serious injury. No significant steps forward were made until 1955, when Disneyland was opened in California. The instant popularity of Disneyland meant that more effort was placed on building newer, bigger and better coasters. Yet again Disney were the people to achieve the next real breakthrough, by constructing a coaster made of tubular steel in 1959. The vast majority of previous coasters were made using wood. The inflexibility of wood placed great limitations on the way coasters and their tracks could be designed. Tubular steel was very flexible so its introduction meant that rides could be built bigger and better than ever before. They continued to grow in height, speed and complexity until we now have coasters such as the 12 storey high Boomerang. The introduction of tubular steel certainly effected the more traditional wooden coasters. This is down to a number of factors. Apart from the difficulties of building wooden track, there is also the fact that wooden coasters are not as tall or as fast as their steel rivals. This does not mean the end for the wooden roller coaster. In 2006, two huge wood coasters were built. The fact that wood could be used at all is largely due to the introduction of prefabricated track. Prefabricated track is manufactured in a factory as opposed to being made at the theme park. The process takes many thin layers of wood and glues them together to form the track. There is very little difference between a coaster running on prefabricated track or on a steel one. Strangely, some fans of wooden coasters don’t like the prefab tracks as this limits the sideways movement of the coaster and in their opinion ruins the ride.
After considering all these facts, it is difficult to see the future of the wooden coaster as anything but bleak. Steel coasters are faster and bigger. For some people one of the best things about previous wooden coasters is that they used to be unstable, causing them to rock from side to side. The introduction of prefab tracks stops this but by doing so alienates some fans. Maybe the future of the wooden coaster lies in its past. It could become a nostalgic reminder of the past as steel takes over. Wood will always be inferior to steel, the prefab track is just an attempt to imitate what already exists. Many coasters now reach seventy miles an hour or more, and some subject their passengers to the kind of G forces experienced by astronauts. It is easy to imagine that designers have reached the end of the line. With coasters so tall and fast can more be done?
The answer to that is a definite yes. The Disney Quest indoor theme park is only one example of the direction in which roller coasters and other rides are heading. The really great thing about the Disney Quest park is that it has all the features of a classic park, roller coasters and themed rides, but this time they’re all in your head! Disney Quest is a virtual reality world, where by means of a headset you will be able to experience the thrill of white water rapids and become a super hero. The wood Vs steel question won’t matter in Disney Quest as you will be able to design and ride your own virtual reality coaster. Simulators are used so you can experience the adrenaline rush of the coaster without the constraints of reality. Then there’s the Buzz Ball. Like Disney Quest, you can still design your own ride, but unlike the Quest, the Buzz Ball is totally real. The Ball isn’t a conventional coaster. For a start it doesn’t run on tracks. All you need is the ball and some space. The ball is powered by two engines and can pretty much do what you want it to. The ball can spin in one direction while the seat you’re on goes the other way.
Virtual reality is all very well, but there are people who believe technology is not always acting as a force for the good in the theme park. Many people have serious concerns about the possible introduction of radio frequency identification tags into theme parks. RFI tags were originally designed in order to track products as they move from factory to their end destination. Their use in supermarkets has caused concern as some shoppers believe the taggs could be used to watch their movements once they’ve left the shop. Talk about RFI being used for security in theme parks has sparked similar worries. Supporters of the scheme claim that RFI tags could be used to locate a lost child in the park. They also say the tags will improve security. At a time when Britain is the highest user of CCTV in the world and ID cards for everyone are a real possibility, many people won’t welcome RFI if it’s used in such a way.
Published by Harry Luckhurst on behalf of Play and Stay.