BROOKLYN, N.Y. — On this day, exactly 131 years ago, America’s first roller coaster opened at Coney Island in New York.
Designed by American inventor Lamarcus Adna Thompson, the original Switchback Railway reached speeds of about 6 mph.
FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
- Behind-the-scenes: Check out this inside look at Kennywood Park
- Police investigating death of 2-year-old girl found in Swissvale as homicide
- GALLERY: Chicago Blackhawks win 3rd Stanley Cup in 6 years
- People are taking the Belly Button Challenge to see if they need to lose weight
- PICTURES: Summer fun at Kennywood Park
Thompson, who would later be known as “The Father of Gravity,” was supposedly inspired by a trip to the hills in eastern Pennsylvania, where a railroad line that was originally used to transport coal had been converted into a tourist attraction.
Here’s a cool fact -- the cost to ride the Switchback Railway? Five cents!
The new form of entertainment was an instant success, and led to hundreds of coasters popping up around the United States by the turn of the century.
- PHOTOS: Roller coasters around the world
CLICK HERE for more information on America's first roller coaster from History.com.