Brian D. Avery

What do you get when you mix teenage bravado, zero engineering oversight, and a loop-de-loop built like a backyard dare? The Cannonball Loop—one of the most infamous stunts in American amusement park history. I had the chance to unpack this piece of high-octane chaos on the new History Channel series Hazardous History with Henry Winkler. In Season 1’s “Perilous Play” episode, I sat down to talk about Action Park—dubbed by many as “Class Action Park”—and its legacy of trial-and-error thrills,...

In high-energy environments like amusement parks and events, clear and direct warning signage can mean the difference between safety and disaster. This image shows an “Extreme Danger” sign mounted on a ride fence — a critical reminder that warnings must cut through the noise to protect guests from hidden hazards.

Ever wonder what really happens to your body on a rollercoaster? Beyond the thrills, rides subject you to intense G-forces and rapid shifts that challenge your cardiovascular and muscular systems. Explore how rollercoasters impact your body — and why understanding the science behind the thrill is crucial for both riders and designers.