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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.
The inventor was already a very rich man after a successful career devoted to manufacturing ladies' stockings and other hosiery, Vintage News reports.
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.
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.
Thompson priced his new ride competitively at just a nickel with the hope of getting people again from those other attractions.
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.
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.
Multiple people injured after Six Flags rollercoaster malfunctions
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Five people have been taken to hospital in New Jersey following an incident at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Ambulances were seen at the bottom of the ‘El Toro’ rollercoaster on Thursday (25 August) while a helicopter circled overhead.
Six Flags officials confirmed several guests had complained of back pain after riding El Toro towards the end of the week.
According to ABC, five guests were taken to hospital to be evaluated and the park confirmed the ride had been closed for inspection.
Six Flags told UNILAD in a statement: "Several guests reported back pain and minor injuries after riding El Toro last evening. Thirteen guests were evaluated at the park, of which five were taken to a local medical facility for evaluation, where they were treated and released.
"The ride completed its normal cycle and all guests exited the ride without need of assistance. The ride will remain closed for inspection. Any maintenance and repairs necessary will be completed and the ride will be re-inspected by our engineers, maintenance professionals, our 3rd party independent safety inspectors and the state of NJ prior to re-opening."
Last year, Six Flags Great Adventure was fined by state officials after El Toro – which is one of the world’s tallest wooden rollercoasters and can reach speeds of 70mph – partially derailed.
No visitors were injured during the incident, which took place in June 2021, and the derailment was caused when the rear-up wheel, which stops the train from lifting upwards, came up onto the rollercoaster’s rail.
Earlier this month, more than 30 people were injured in a rollercoaster crash at Legoland in Germany.
Three rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene, with fire and rescue services also called in to assist in the rescue of those trapped on the rollercoaster.
According to a statement by Legoland Germany, 31 people sustained minor injuries, which were examined and treated by doctors and paramedics on site.
The incident occurred when one rollercoaster train braked heavily and another train collided with it.
Legoland Germany said: "The staff immediately followed well-rehearsed safety procedures and guests were immediately evacuated from the trains and attended by trained resort staff."
Also this month, Spanish theme park visitors were left trapped vertically at the top of a rollercoaster after the ride malfunctioned.
According to Spanish News Today, the incident unfolded on 4 August at around 9.00pm after a group of 10 visitors hopped on the 'Abismo' ride at the city's Parque de Atracciones.
Abismo sends thrill-seekers plummeting backwards from a 160ft height, reaching speeds of 105km per hour.
But after suffering a 'technical fault', the ride stopped dead in its tracks from the vertical drop, leaving guests suspended at the top while facing up to the sky.
The park's website says Abismo ‘will make you feel incredible sensations along its route’.
It adds: "Along the way, Abismo will trace shapes in the air such as corkscrews, rises or inversions, which you’ll experience from within.
"The greatest impact will be at the end of the route, because you’ll ascend to the rollercoaster tower, but this time you’ll fall backwards."
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American Idol runner-up Willie Spence dies aged 23
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American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has died at the age of 23, according to reports.
The talented artist, who featured on Season 19 of American Idol, was said to have been involved in a car accident in Tennessee, news outlet Douglas Now reported.
The publication claims that the singer passed away after 'injuries sustained in an automobile accident'.
Singer Katharine McPhee, who performed with Spence on the show, wrote on Instagram: "I received very tragic news tonight.
"Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised.
"God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you."
In a follow-up Instagram story, she shared a video of Spence singing in the car, which she claims happened right before the accident.
At the time of writing, the reports remain unconfirmed.
The emotional clip sees the 23-year-old sing his heart out while captioning his post: "Lord you are my hiding place."
Tributes have been pouring in, with one fan person commenting: "BROOOO I’M MESSED UP RIGHT NOW."
A second person wrote: "rest in peace williem," while someone else said: "Omg I am so at a loss for words. Not you Willie! Wow… Rest in Paradise, king ."
"Fly and sing with the angels and dance amongst the stars friend! RIH," a fourth wrote.
Another added: "Wowww my heart really hurts! May you rest in paradise Willie... Such a star! And a sweet soul! You will be missed!"
Someone else said: “One of the most kind and genuine people I’ve ever endured. One of the most talented artists I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.”
In Spence's first ever audition for American Idol, he sang 'Diamonds' by Rihanna. The judging panel at the time consisted of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
At the time, the singer said: "I do this for me, but not only for me, I do this for my family.
"They’ve always supported me, they’ve been there from the very beginning."
After having a brilliant show, he narrowly lost out to Chayce Beckham who ended up winning the competition.
Spence wowed the judges throughout, while singing 'Wind Beneath My Wings', 'Set Fire to the Rain', 'Glory', and 'Georgia on My Mind'.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
House haunted by ghosts who keep 'talking dirty' to the people who live there
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A homeowner believes her property is haunted by ghosts who whisper profanities.
If there's anything creepier than being haunted by ghosts, it's probably a ghost who won't stop leaving you alone by whispering dirty talk in your ear.
Homeowner Linda Hill has spoken out about why the longest tenant to ever occupy her property on Denton Street, Gainesville, Texas, only managed to stay there for a grand total of six months.
Hill told WFAA how the house has become like a 'revolving door'.
"The longest anyone's stayed in this house was six months," she explained.
Hill and her husband were initially baffled when tenants kept walking out.
However, after 10 tenants left in the space of two years, one came forward and told Hill they believed the property was haunted.
The homeowner admitted she didn't believe them at first until she experienced what she believes was a paranormal presence herself while taking a shower.
According to Hill, a dark figure appeared on the other side of the shower curtain - like the iconic scene out of Psycho. However, unlike in Psycho - where the figure brutally murders the naked and vulnerable shower-taker - Hill heard it whisper: "Looking good."
Hill presumed it was her husband until he walked in and questioned who she was talking to, promising he hadn't just been in the bathroom.
Audio recordings have also caught the alleged ghosts saying, 'Oh baby, oh baby yeah, I like it like that'.
While the ghost may simply have been singing Alesha Dixon's song, 'Ooh Baby I Like It Like That' or Pete Rodriguez's 'I Like It Like That,' it's clear to see why so many tenants quickly scarpered from the house.
It's one thing hearing someone's warbling shower singing, but another kettle of fish entirely when you hear someone whispering at you while you're trying to scrub the difficult-to-reach part of your back, under the impression you're in the bathroom on your own.
As well as a door which 'finds a way' to swing open even when 'pounded shut,' a 19-foot well was also discovered under the house's living room.
It was built on the original property - which was reportedly a brothel - but built over 'decades later'.
Some people have theorised the well is actually an 'endless void' which acts as a portal from the world of the dead to the world of the living.
Hill has since turned the house into 'Hill House Manor,' advertising the property as a residence for ghost-seekers to come and investigate for themselves. This Halloween, visit if you dare.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via story@unilad.com
Duolingo grosses people out with bizarre response to Katy Perry meme
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You may know Duolingo as the handy app that teaches you other languages and has a cute cartoon owl as a logo - but it turns out that adorable little bird has a bit of an erm… spicy side and it's left some people horrified.
Duolingo boasts almost 50 million users worldwide and is the perfect way to learn about six Spanish words before giving up - but social media users saw a different side to the education app after it shared a very NSFW response to a Katy Perry clip.
A throwback clip from Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards was recently shared online, showing the 'Fireworks' singer getting brutally slimed by a load of green gunge - you can relive that moment here:
A perfectly innocent bit of slime-ing, the likes of which Nickelodeon was well known for, right? Well not according to the Duolingo dirty birdy, as the account recently retweeted the clip writing: “hold up is that my –”
The account then doubled down, adding: “we're all thinking it, i just said it.”
As you can imagine, social media users were a little surprised to discover a corporate account tweeting out such a post, with one person replying: “Whoever behind this account nasty.”
Someone else commented: “Duo what does this mean? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?” I think you’d be happier not knowing, mate.
While a third said: “When you're the only one running socials and have nobody checking what you're posting.”
Another person asked: “Who tf is running the account?”
One follower asked: “Hi Duo, my 12 year old son is working on his Italian and loves the app. He’s asking me what this tweet means, can you explain it to him?”
To which Duolingo replied: “Perdón, no respondo al inglés.” For those who no hables español that translates to: “Sorry, I do not respond to English.” Nice try, pal.
In a cheeky follow-up tweet, the account wrote: “this is your sign to log off Twitter and do your lesson.”
This isn’t the first time the account has gone viral for very non-educational purposes - back in September when Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine’s direct messages were posted online by model Sumner Stroh, Duolingo created its own mocked-up version of the now-infamous messages.
It seems like whoever is behind the Duolingo Twitter account really enjoys their job, eh?
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