Promenades Aériennes, the world’s first modern rollercoaster, opened in Paris on 8th July, 1817. Thrillseekers climbed a towering wooden structure before being sent gliding back down on wheeled carriages attached securely to rails; modest by modern standards, yes, but introducing many of the key features that still define coasters today.

Visitors faced a lengthy climb to the summit before enjoying their gravity-powered descent, with cafés thoughtfully placed along the staircase for those needing a rest. And the journey itself demanded a degree of bravery: there were no seat belts or safety bars, and passengers simply held on as the carriage swept down the track.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly trace the idea of the proto-rollercoaster back to Catherine the Great’s Russia; explain how goldrush-era mining trains inspired the Switchback Railway at Coney Island in 1884; and consider how little about coaster design really changed until Disney brought in tubular steel in 1955…

Further Reading:

• ‘Object: Promenades Aeriennes Jardin Baujon’ (British Museum) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1899-0713-182

• ‘First Roller Coaster in America Opened at Coney Island’ (The Association of Mature American Citizens, 2026): https://amac.us/newsline/lifestyle/first-roller-coaster-in-america-opens/

• ‘10 Of The Best Roller Coasters in the UK! Front Seat POVs!’ (Theme Park Review, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-tmfOQo9E

#France #1800s #Design #NewYork

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

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