Origins of Amusment Parks and Rides

By Brittanyscullion

  • Amusement Parks

    In the late 1800's amusement parks began taking hold in the United States. They were an instant hit.

  • First Rollercoaster

    It is said that the first rollercoaster in the United States was built by L.A Thompson and opened at Coney Island, New York.

  • First Ferris Wheel

    The first ferris wheel was built by George W. Ferris, a bridge-builder from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

  • First American Amusement Park

    The first American amusement park was at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition. It was the first one to ever have a ferris wheel and an arcade midway.

  • Carousel

    The carousel originated in Europe, but reached its greatest fame in America in the 1900's.

  • "Thomas Edison" of rollercoasters

    John A. Miller invented his first rollercoaster ride called the Flying Turns ride. John Miller got the nickname "Thomas Edison of rollercoasters".

  • Introduction of the World-Famous Cyclone Rollercoaster

    The introduction of the world-famous cyclone rollercoaster at Steeplechase Park in 1927 marked the beginning of the rollercoaster as one of the most popular attractions for amusements parks.

  • Trampoline Was Invented

    George Nissen, an American circus acrobat and Olympic medalist, invented the trampoline in his garage in 1936 and patened the device.

  • People Were Losing Interest

    In the 1950s people started losing interest in as the amusement parks grew older.

  • Disneyland

    Disneyland had opened in 1955 to bring back the sensation for amusement parks.