CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 2 HISTORY Some of the earliest-known thrill rides were icy sliding hills and mine railways with steep drops The first modern coaster was France’s Promenades Aeriennes Aerial Walk It opened in Paris in 1817 New York s Coney Island opened America’s first roller coaster in 1884 Riders sped down a track at 6 mph 10 kph Paris’s Promenades Aeriennes featured Paris’s Promenades Aeriennes featured wheeled cars on a locked track wheeled cars on a locked track 6
Disneyland opened on July 17 1955 Disneyland opened in Anaheim California in 1955 Its success sparked other amusement parks to open around the world To attract visitors parks introduced newer bigger and faster thrill rides 77
CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 3 DESIGN AND SAFETY Park ride designers look for ways to give passengers thrills and fun The fastest park rides are often rated by the airtime fans experience during the ride 8
An engineer sets up test equipment While designers want to give riders excitement safety is most important New rides are first tested using dummies Many rides require a person to be within certain height and weight limits Good physical health is also important on some of the fastest rides 9
