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Today in Tech History: June 26, 2008 Video

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Today in Tech History: June 26, 2008
Created: 06/24/2008
Video description: Take a ride on the Cyclone, or maybe an early helicopter. Hot air balloon, perhaps?

Today in Tech History: June 26, 2008 Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Molly Wood. It's June 26, 2008, and here's what happened today in technology history. On this date in 1927, The Cyclone roller coaster opened on Coney Island. From 1927 until 1972, it was the world's fastest rollercoaster. Its track, today, is 2,650 feet long and the first drop is nearly 60 degrees. The top speed is just over 60 miles per hour, and the entire ride takes less than two minutes. HURL. Today in 1936, the Focke-Wulf Fw 61 made its initial flight. It was the first practical and fully controllable helicopter. The first flight lasted 28 seconds. And speaking of flight, this date marks the passing of Joseph Michel Montgolfier, one of the French brothers who invented the hot air balloon. And that's it for today, everyone. Come on back tomorrow for more trivia from back in time.