Short history of the roller coaster

In the 15th century, Russians built giant, wooden slides that they covered in ice. Then they mounted on an ice block with a straw seat reaching up to 50 miles per hour.

In 1827, the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway was built to haul coal in the morning and served as a joy ride in the afternoon, reaching 50 miles per hour.

In 1884, LaMarcus Adna Thompson invented the Switchback Gravity Railway, a patented coaster that was gravity-powered. Slow-moving cars faced outward so one could enjoy constructed scenes that would emulate beautiful landscapes around the world.