The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Season 2 Episode 5 Tallest Roller Coaster

In this episode of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation, viewers are taken on a thrilling ride as they learn about the world's tallest roller coaster. Host Mo Rocca kicks things off by introducing viewers to the roller coaster capital of the world - Cedar Point. Located in Sandusky, Ohio, this theme park is home to some of the world's most extreme coasters, including the one that takes center stage in this episode: the Valravn.

Standing at a towering 223 feet tall, the Valravn is a record-breaking coaster that takes passengers on a heart-pumping ride that includes several stomach-churning drops, inversions, and twists. Rocca meets with the team at Cedar Point who helped design and build the Valravn, including ride engineer Adam House.

House takes Rocca on a backstage tour of the coaster, showing him how it was designed using advanced computer simulations and how the team ensured that it was not only the tallest but also the fastest and longest dive coaster in the world.

Viewers also get a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the ride, including how the track was assembled and how the coaster cars were tested before the ride officially opened to the public. Rocca even gets to take a ride on the Valravn himself, experiencing firsthand the thrill of the coaster's signature 90-degree drop.

But the episode doesn't just focus on the Valravn. Viewers also learn about the history of roller coasters and how they've evolved over the years, from early wooden coasters to modern steel behemoths like the Valravn. Rocca even visits a classic "woodie" coaster at the nearby Waldameer Park, taking a ride on the Comet and experiencing the unique thrills that only a wooden coaster can provide.

In addition to the roller coaster segments, the episode also features a number of other interesting and innovative stories. For example, viewers learn about a company that is using drone technology to plant trees in areas that have been affected by deforestation. They also learn about a unique system developed by a startup company that helps people better understand and manage their water usage.

The episode wraps up with Rocca reflecting on the excitement and innovation that can be found all around us, from the world's tallest roller coaster to the cutting-edge technologies that are helping to solve some of our biggest challenges. It's a fascinating and entertaining look at the many ways in which innovation is making a difference in our world today.