Prompt Cast
The Evolution and Dangers of Water Parks
TLDR Water parks have evolved over time, from the invention of the first waterslide in 1923 to the use of fiberglass and innovative slide designs. However, with their popularity comes a higher risk of injuries compared to amusement parks.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The first waterslide was invented in 1923 by Herbert Selna in Minnesota.
04:43
George Millay built the first water park by stealing concrete water slides from all over the country and brought them together to create Wet and Wild in Orlando.
08:44
Water parks are attractive to teenagers for the fast and scary rides, while parents prefer to relax in wave pools or lazy rivers. George Millay stole ideas from other water parks, such as the infinity-shaped lazy river, and revolutionized water slides by using fiberglass instead of concrete.
12:39
Water parks in the 70s made a lot of money by selling one-piece bathing suits to women who would lose their bikini tops on the rides, and modern water slides work by converting potential energy into kinetic energy and using water to reduce friction.
17:05
Water parks had to raise the side walls on water slides to prevent people from flying out due to the introduction of angles and curves, and eventually some slides required riders to be completely enclosed in a tube.
21:08
Water parks use water blasters to propel riders up hills on water slides, rather than relying solely on gravity, which has opened up new possibilities for slide design and increased the involvement of water park owners in the design process.
25:24
Water slides in water parks operate on a closed circuit system, with water continuously circulating through various parts of the park, allowing for the reuse of water and the use of pumps to propel the water up to the top of the slide.
29:50
Action Park, a water park in New Jersey, was known for its dangerous rides and high number of injuries, but many people still have fond memories of it and the park is now being brought back with plans to make the rides even more dangerous.
33:57
Water parks have a much higher injury rate than amusement parks, with one study finding that one fifth of all amusement park accidents in New Jersey between 2007 and 2012 were due to water park attractions.
37:54
When a slinky is dropped, it takes time for the wave to move through it until both ends match, which is similar to how water slides work.
Categories:
Society & Culture
