The Corkscrew is a type of roller coaster inversion and also the name given to several notable steel roller coasters featuring this element. A corkscrew inversion involves the track twisting riders upside down in a helical manner, resembling a stretched vertical loop where the entrance and exit are horizontally offset by about 90 degrees. This element provides intense lateral forces and disorientation, becoming a staple in modern coaster design since the 1970s.
The corkscrew inversion was pioneered by Arrow Dynamics (formerly Arrow Development) in the mid-1970s. The first roller coasters to feature double corkscrews opened in 1975, with singular corkscrews appearing in 1981. Arrow built four corkscrew coasters that year, marking a shift toward more inverting rides. Prior to this, inversions were rare due to safety concerns, but advancements in steel track and restraints made them feasible. The element's design stretches the loop vertically, allowing for smoother transitions and reduced g-forces compared to full loops.
Early prototypes date back to 1968, but the modern corkscrew debuted on coasters like the Corkscrew at Knott's Berry Farm, which opened in 1975 as the first with a modern corkscrew. Triple corkscrews are rarer; Fantasia Special in China held the distinction until 2014, when Zhipao introduced two more. The first wooden coaster with a corkscrew was Hades 360 at Mount Olympus Theme Park, retrofitted in 2013.
The most iconic Corkscrew is at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Built by Arrow Dynamics and designed by Ron Toomer, it opened on May 15, 1976. This coaster was the first in the world with three inversions: a vertical loop followed by two corkscrews. Its red, white, and blue color scheme honored the U.S. Bicentennial. Originally announced as "The Great Lake Erie Roller" in 1975, it cost $1.75 million (about $10.23 million today) and spans 2,050 feet of track, reaching 85 feet tall with a top speed of 32 mph. The ride duration is 1:45, and it accommodates 24 riders in six cars. It passes over walkways, enhancing the thrill. As of 2025, it remains operational and is a Hall of Fame coaster.
At Alton Towers in Staffordshire, UK, the Corkscrew opened on April 4, 1980, built by Vekoma with engineering by Werner Stengel. It was Europe's first double-inverting coaster and the park's flagship attraction, boosting attendance from 500,000 to over 1 million visitors annually. Located in Ug Land (now Dark Forest), it featured a 75-foot lift hill, two corkscrews, and a top speed of 40 mph. It closed in 2008 after 28 seasons due to maintenance issues and was demolished.
Playland in Vancouver, Canada, had a Corkscrew built by Arrow Dynamics in 1964, relocated from Crystal Beach Park. It featured two corkscrews and appeared in films like Final Destination 3 (2006) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012). It closed in 2018 and was sold for relocation.
The Corkscrew at Knott's Berry Farm opened in 1975 as the first with a corkscrew inversion, influencing designs worldwide. It operated until 1989 before relocation to Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho, where it still runs.
Recent preservation efforts include the second corkscrew from Canobie Lake Park's Corkscrew (an Arrow model from 1965, relocated in 1987) being rebuilt at the National Roller Coaster Museum in Texas as of 2025, highlighting the element's historical significance.
Corkscrew coasters typically use steel tubular tracks for smooth inversions, with over-the-shoulder restraints. They generate 3-4 G-forces during twists. The design influenced the coaster wars of the 1980s, leading to more complex layouts. Safety records improved with OTS harnesses, making inversions accessible to most riders (height minimum usually 48 inches).
For more details, see: Cedar Point Corkscrew on Wikipedia, Corkscrew Element on Wikipedia, Coasterpedia Entry, and Official Cedar Point Page.