The roller coaster (the term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan) is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first roller coaster on January 20 1885. In essence a specialized railroad system, a roller coaster consists of a track that rises in designed patterns, sometimes with one or more inversions (such as loops) that turn the rider briefly upside down. The track does not necessarily have to be a complete circuit, as shuttle roller coasters exhibit. Most roller coasters have multiple cars in which passengers sit and are restrained into. An entire set of cars hooked together is called a train. Some roller coasters, notably Wild Mouse roller coasters, run with single cars.
In what may be a practical application of the roller coaster, NASA has announced that it will build one to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency.
The Roller Coaster is the name of the roller coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. It first opened in 1997 as the "Manhattan Express". At the time it was one of the tallest and fastest looping roller coasters in the world. The ride's trains are themed to New York taxicabs.
