The oldest roller coasters were inspired by constructed hills of wood and ice that were a favorite of Catherine the Great and used for sledding in the Gardens of Oranienbaum in 18th century St. Petersburg. Historians debate whether it was the Russians or the French who first placed wheels on the sleds, however it is clear that French visitors upon seeing these slides brought the idea back to France in 1804 and appropriately called them, “Russian Mountains... ...MONTAGNE RUSSE.”