FACTS

• Steel coasters cost as much as $20 million
• 1 coaster has up to 200 million pounds of steel
• Steel tracks are more flexible than wood
• Designers measure their test riders' heart rate
• The longest period spent on a coaster is 401 hours

PATENT AND INVENTION

• Idea invented by La Marcus Adna Thompson
• Thompson used his coaster to transport coal first, then people
• Patented by Richard Knudson
• Coney island was home to the first patented roller coaster

WORLD'S FASTEST

• Formula Rossa - 149mph

WORLD'S TALLEST

• Kingda Ka - 465 feet

WORLD'S LONGEST

• Steel dragon 2000 - 8133 feet long

WORLD'S STEEPEST

WORLD'S BIGGEST DROP