There is a popular theory that suggests roller coasters were invented as a means of distracting people from sinful or immoral behavior. It connects to the broader context of 19th-century America, where moral concerns were tied to public amusements.
LaMarcus Adna Thompson, who is often credited with creating the first true roller coaster in 1884, built the Switchback Railway at Coney Island, New York. This ride was designed to be a simple, gentle thrill with small drops. While Thompson was a businessman, he was also a devout Christian, and some sources suggest that he may have been motivated, in part, by a desire to create wholesome entertainment for the public. There are claims that he believed his roller coaster could provide a healthier, more moral form of entertainment compared to other activities that were seen as immoral or sinful, such as gambling or drinking.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was an ongoing moral and religious concern about the types of entertainment available in growing cities. Amusement parks often became associated with vice, such as alcohol, gambling, and promiscuity, leading some community leaders and religious groups to seek ways to counteract these “sinful” behaviors by offering wholesome alternatives. Roller coasters, as thrilling but safe, fast-paced rides, could be marketed as a way to divert people from these vices by offering exciting, yet clean, fun.
It can be said that the invention of roller coasters, along with other amusements like fairs and games, aimed to provide an alternative to the more morally questionable activities that were common in certain areas. The excitement and physical sensation of speed, height, and gravity on a roller coaster could engage people’s attention, offering a distraction from what some saw as sinful desires.
