The first modern roller coaster, the Switchback Railway, was built in New York’s Coney Island in 1884. At 5 cents per ride, it paid for its construction cost in three weeks. By the 1920s, over 1,000 roller coasters had been built throughout the U.S., rivaling today’s in terms of height and speed. With the introduction of steel coasters in the late 1950s, rides became smoother and quieter, and pushed limits with longer drops, more twists and turns, and a workable loop design. The following decades brought about such innovations as stand-up and suspended coasters. Today 3-D technology allows for accurate prototypes, identifying weak points and calculating G-forces in a way that wasn’t possible in the 20th century. Architectural Digest travels the globe to round up nine of the most eye-catching coasters. Be sure you’re strapped in tight!

Takabisha, Fuji-Q, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan

This amazing monochromatic coaster opened in 2011 with the world’s steepest drop angle of 121 degrees. Hitting a top speed of over 62 mph in two seconds, Takabisha dazzles with half a dozen different loops and rolls and seven inversions. Riders are treated to an excellent view of Mt. Fuji from the top of the ride, where it pauses before its dramatic drop.

Behemoth, Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario

Behemoth’s bright yellow-and-blue steel stands out against the Ontario landscape. At one point the roller coaster, which opened in 2008, drops 230 feet at a 75-degree angle and hits speeds of 77 mph. Its open-air seating gives every rider a front seat to the action.

GateKeeper, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

Situated at the entrance to Cedar Point, this steel coaster shoots through holes in the two towers above the park’s welcome sign. Built in 2013, GateKeeper is the fastest wing coaster (where pairs of riders sit on either side of the track) in the world, reaching speeds of 67 mph.

Diving Coaster Vanish, Yokohama Cosmo World, Yokohama, Japan

Opening in 1999, this steel coaster ride lasts a quick 1 minute, 58 seconds, and temporarily vanishes from view as it dives into an underwater tunnel, spraying water upward as it passes through.

Thunderhead, Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

This roller coaster, built of Southern yellow pine, opened in 2004. Its elaborate, winding design has a 100-foot drop, hits a top speed of almost 54 mph, and includes the world’s first “fly-through” station, with the coaster sailing over the heads of people waiting to ride.

Daemonen, Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

Part of the appeal of this ride (whose name is Danish for “demon”) is its surroundings, sitting next to the Pagoda in the historic Tivoli Gardens. Its 1,850-feet track was completed in 2004.

Thunder Dolphin, LaQua Amusement Park, Tokyo Dome City, Tokyo

Piercing a towering building, this 2003 urban steel roller coaster includes an 80-degree vertical angle and reaches speeds of more than 80 mph.

iSpeed, Mirabilandia, Savio, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Snaking through curves and down a 90-degree drop at up to almost 75 mph, this 2009 steel race-car-themed coaster is a vibrant red against a backdrop of green trees. It launches riders to over 60 mph in 2.2 seconds.

White Cyclone, Nagashima Spa Land, Mie Prefecture, Japan

Stretching across the landscape, this classic wood roller coaster is a vision in white. Open since 1994, it offers riders a beautifully crafted 5,577-foot track.

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