{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"It Really Happened","title":"The Thrilling Tale of the First Roller Coaster","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":403,"description":"In this captivating episode of *It Really Happened!*, host Bill Whitaker dives into the fascinating story of LaMarcus Thompson and the creation of the first roller coaster in 1884. With no amusement rides available at the time, Thompson was inspired by the Mauch Chunk Gravity Railroad to design a thrilling ride that would bring joy and excitement to the masses. The episode highlights the friendly competition with fellow inventor Phillip Hinkle, who was also vying to create the first roller coaster for fun, leading to an intriguing race that would change the landscape of amusement parks forever.\n\nListeners will be taken back to Coney Island, where the Switchback Railway opened to enthusiastic crowds, offering a new type of entertainment for just five cents. The episode not only recounts the historical significance of this innovation but also reflects on how it set the stage for the evolution of roller coasters into the adrenaline-pumping attractions we know today. Join us for this thrilling adventure that uncovers the origins of one of the most beloved amusement park rides, and be ready to share some surprising facts with your friends!","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/wdDrdacXgD7sAuCvVlIuEdPsSfPn_jKRfTQjiNn_kpo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wMGEx/NDI2MjU0NGQ5Mjk2/NDE1ODZmM2EyMjdh/NjE2ZS5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}