August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day! Today is a day for roller coaster enthusiasts to celebrate their passion for these thrill creations new and old. Many parks are celebrating the day with extended ride time and other special events.
While its origins are not fully known, many believe it to be tied to August 16, 1898, when Edwin Prescott was granted a patent for a roller coaster:
Notice the patented date in the lower right-hand corner.
Roller Coaster Trivia
- The fastest roller coaster in the world is Formula Rossa in Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi. It launches riders from 0 – 149.1 mph in four seconds.
- The tallest roller coaster in the world is Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. It stands 456 feet tall.
- The longest roller coaster in the world is Steel Dragon 2000 in Nagashima Spa Land in Japan. It stretches 8,133 feet.
- The oldest roller coaster in the world is Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania. It opened in 1902.
- The earliest roller coasters were inspired by 17th century Russian Ice Slides.
- The legendary roller coaster designer Ron Toomer suffered from motion sickness. He did, however, ride each of his designs once or twice.
- The world’s first tubular steel roller coaster, Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds, opened in 1959.
- As of August 2015, there are roughly 3,853 permanent roller coasters operating in the world (according to RCDB)
Are you riding a roller coaster today to celebrate? Tag us on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll happily re-share your photos.
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