The American rollercoaster was invented to save people from Satan

Rollercoasters have become one of the world's most popular amusement attractions thanks to the innocent thrill of the fairground ride.

However, the American rollercoaster actually has a pretty sinister back story.

Believe it or not, the white knuckle ride was initially developed as a distraction from Satan's temptations.

Back in 1884, the United States were growing in prosperity following the end of the Civil War, but some were concerned about the burgeoning popularity of taverns, gambling and brothels.

LaMarcus Adna Thompson was one of them.

Chronicle / Alamy Stock Photo

The inventor was already a very rich man after a successful career devoted to manufacturing ladies' stockings and other hosiery, Vintage News reports.

On a trip to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, Thompson spotted a group of locals riding an old mining railway originally used for transportation.

Having previously being used for coal, it was now a fun experience as coal mines in the area began to fade.

For people visiting the town, it was seen as the main attraction, and by the time Thompson visited, it cost a dollar to ride - which was not cheap at that time.

However, the success of the ride gave Thompson an idea; he drew up a smaller version of the switchback railway he had seen.

It would include a couple of features from the Pennsylvania coaster, like the 'train' cars and a handy system to help prevent the trains going awkwardly backwards.

It also boasted the familiar wooden structure on rollercoasters that was patented by Thompson at the time.

The first coaster from Thompson was built in 1884, at Coney Island in New York.

Coney Island was booming at the time, filled with dancing halls and brothels, much to Thompson's dismay.

But that is exactly why he chose the New York State resort, as his new rollercoaster would hopefully keep families together and outdoors, plus out of the taverns and brothels that bothered him so much.

Cheryl Rinzler / Alamy Stock Photo

Thompson priced his new ride competitively at just a nickel with the hope of getting people again from those other attractions.

The speed of the coaster was less than 10 miles per hour, which was deemed fast by many in the area.

While Thompson's ride wasn't exactly the first rollercoaster - they are thought to have originated in Russia before being popularised in nineteenth-century Paris - it was certainly the first of its kind and is largely credited with bringing the ride to the US.

It is fair to say rollercoasters have got a fair bit quicker since then - the fastest rollercoaster in the world is Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi, which clocks in at an impressive 150 miles per hour.