For more than 200 years, roller coasters have provided a safe, relatively inexpensive way for thrill-seekers to experience the heart-pounding, stomach-flipping adrenaline rush of, well… defying death. Plenty has changed in the world of roller coasters, but the basic principle of maximum excitement with minimum risk still stands. Ride engineers have only improved on both fronts, making safer rides that spin, shoot, drop, and turn riders in shocking new ways. Whether you prefer sleek steel coasters, rickety wooden ones, or both, the nostalgia of summer days spent twisting and dropping through amusement parks can be irresistible—so take a minute to learn how the phenomenon all began and explore the best coasters in the world.