This roller coaster at Skyline Park in Bad Wörishofen, Germany, like all other modern coasters, can trace its lineage back to the engineering work of Russian refugees living in 17th-century Portugal. To recreate the fun of sledding down snow-covered hills, the Russians built ice-bearing wooden platforms and ramps similar to very large playground slides. As the concept of the ‘Russian Mountain’ ride caught on across Europe, mechanical parts came into play, including sled-like vehicles to ride in, and rails to keep the carts on track. Over the centuries, these coaster-like rides grew to resemble the extreme, gravity-challenging thrill rides we see at modern theme parks. Where is your favorite roller coaster?
Keep your hands inside the ride at all times…
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic
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Not your average sandcastle
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Mute swan
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Cross this bridge if you dare
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Celebrating a young girl s age-old discovery
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New Year s Day
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At the shore of an inland sea
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The Big Blue of the Sierra
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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1, 1, 2, 3: It s Fibonacci Day!
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Squirrel Appreciation Day
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Mother s Day
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A house of grand scale(s)
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Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
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Antarctica Day
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World Theater Day
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World Meteorological Day
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Celebrating Panama s independence
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Merry and bright
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How lovely are your branches
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Porthcawl Lighthouse, Wales, UK
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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
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Shining like Klondike gold
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Breckenridge, Colorado
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20 years later
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Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
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International Day for Biodiversity
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World Bee Day
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Edinburgh Art Festival