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Begin Here
"For many people, there is only one reason to go to an amusement park: the roller coaster. Some people call it the "scream machine," with good reason. The history of this ride reflects a constant search for greater and more death-defying thrills." (Amusement Park Physics) Take a look into that history.

Roller Coaster History --
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster2.html

Ultimate Roller Coaster History -- http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history
The menu on the left will take you to more information.

Google ebooks
Read excerpts from 3 books.
Change Over Time

Inventing the Scream Machine -- http://search.eb.com/coasters
A clickable timeline
(Detailed)

ThinkQuest --
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005075F/English_Version/history%20coasters.htm
Be sure to scroll down for more information and links.

Thrill Network Timeline -- http://database.thrillnetwork.com/features/timeline

Timeline -- http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/timeline.shtml
(Easy)

Timeline by Google -- http://tiny.cc/QG8mu
Track the changes from the years 1780 - 2010. 

Turning Points in Roller Coaster History -- http://tiny.cc/RXJvW  

Ultimate History -- http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history


Still Looking for Information?
FactMonster -- http://www.factmonster.com/spot/rollercoasters.html
The Rise and Fall of Roller Coasters, From the Russian countryside to Disneyland

How Roller Coasters Work --
http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm/printable

How Products are Made (Roller Coasters) --
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Roller-Coaster.html

Top 10 Wooden Roller Coasters --
http://themeparks.about.com/cs/coasterbooks/a/bestcoasters.htm
Also the top 10 steel coasters and other lists.

Specific Roller Coasters

Best Roller Coaster Database -- http://www.coastergrotto.com/top-10.jsp

Coaster Gallery -- http://www.coastergallery.com
Contains limited information and over 3,000 original roller coaster pictures from amusement parks

Roller Coaster Database -- http://www.rcdb.com
A searchable database with information and statistics on over 2000 roller coasters throughout the world. Great for comparison information

Roller Coaster Records -- http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/records
What are the tallest, fastest, longest Roller Coasters in the world? Which Roller Coaster goes upside down the most? This Roller Coaster Record Book has the answers.

Roller Coaster Reviews -- Select one of over 25 reviews from the list grouped by amusement park.
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/reviews/reviews_idx.shtml  

Top 10 Coasters -- Short description of the ten
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/resources/tv/topten/topten_list.shtml


For Fun
Build Your Own Coaster by Discovery Channel --
http://kids.discovery.com/games/rollercoasters/buildacoaster.html
Add components to the track and then have it rated by the Fear-o-meter.

Design a Roller Coaster  -- http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster
You will decide the following - the height of the first hill, the shape of the first hill, the exit path, the height of the second hill, and the loop. When you're done, your coaster will need to pass an inspection for both safety and fun.

PBS WHOAHler Coaster! -- http://pbskids.org/fetch/games/coaster/game.html
Try to make your coaster both exciting and safe.

Roller Coaster Arcade Game --
http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/rollercoaster-creator

Roller Coaster Design Game --
http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=roller

Understanding Roller Coasters -- http://www.funderstanding.com/coaster  
This simulator is where your mission to design the coaster so that you can achieve maximum thrills and chills without crashing or flying off the track!