Roller Coaster Timeline

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1st Roller Coaster on Wheels

1784

John Miller- Originated in St. Petersburg, Russia this car on wheels was said to be the first consistently moving car without stops or pauses occurring on a track.

England Ratifies The Treaty of Paris

1784

The American Congress of the Confederation ratified the treaty of Paris, copies were sent back and forth from Europe to Paris.

Safer Roller Coaster Improvement

1812

John Miller- In France Miller built a 2nd coaster on wheels but making it safer with a "belt" lying across the seat. Along with a closed in door on the side.

War of 1812

1812

The war of 1812 was an unexpected war in the American Revolution. It was followed by the Star Spangled Banner song that we know sing today.

Beethoven Dies from Illness

1827

The Illness was witness by his sister, and was further viewed by a doctor.

Maunch Chunk Gravity Railroad

1827

Jim Thorpe- A railroad box controlled by a brakeman which was constructed in Pennsylvania, and allowed the car to be stopped by one pull of a brake.

Circuit Coaster

1885

Philip Hinkle- He introduced the first complete circuit coaster with a lifted hill [Gravity Pleasure Road}. It became the most popular ride at Cony Island that year.

Statue of Liberty

1885

100,000 dollars were raised in the United States for pedestal and for the Statue of Liberty.

1st Roller Coaster with tunnels

1886

La Marcus Thompson- This new feature allowed amusement and enclosed areas for the track to run through without hitting anything making it a safe add on.

Carl Benz

1886

He made the first gasoline powered car that moved consistently now a days we know the name Benz as Mercedes Benz the car company.

First Switchback Railway

1888

La Marcus Thompson- With this new improvement the car was able to not only complete the original track but comeback in the opposite direction all in one turn.

Pearl Harbor

1888

The US senate approved Pearl Harbor and was told it was ready for use.

Capital Destroyed

1897

The Pennsylvania Capital was wiped out and destroyed by a fire and would take weeks to rebuild.

Invention Of Flip Flap

1897

F.W. Jordan- A loop in the track that allowed the car to make an upside down turn, it was very unsafe and was later destroyed for safety purposes.

First Speed Boat

1912

The first fast moving speed boat was made and was tested and rebuilt over 300 times.

Under Friction Coaster

1912

Germany- It was an improvement to keep not only the car on the track but sturdy and connected. It helped with safety purposes and is still used today.

Bobsled in Disneyland

1959

Disneyland Park- It was the first steel framed roller coaster with new safety improvements and better grip to the track. It was a big attraction and ride at Disney.

Luna 1

1959

Becomes first craft to leave Earths gravity in the United States of America.

First Corkscrew

1975

Carl Weinkle- The first modern day invented coaster with a built in corkscrew which is a fancy word for sideways turn. It was built in an open testing field in Knotts berry farm in Buena Park, California.

USSR