The Disneyland Matterhorn, steel tubular track which has been the basis for nearly every steel rollercoaster since. This was a monumental achievement.
Arrow's first Corkscrew, more influential than Revolution because it made Revolution possible by proving people would allow themselves to go upside down. Revolution was a better ride, but give credit where its due.
Also, John Allen's Racer at PKI brought the wooden rollercoaster concept back from the dead. The impressive crop of woodies that were built in the 70-90s were made possible by the success of this ride.
Honorable mention would probably go to The Bat. Although the ride itself wasn't a engineering success, this is your first really non-conventional train in regular operation. The inverteds like Batman:The Ride are really just a refinement of the suspended coaster (how can we make it loop?).
Raging Bull said:1990's:
Batman: The Ride at SFGAm. The ride was the first of it's kind, and a new type of coaster. Is it true that the wait time was 5 hours?----------
Don't Fight It: Ride It! Raging Bull"
It was 5 hours. I worked at the park at that time. The line was almost all the way back to the entrance plaza. They had to wind it behind Crawler and Cliffhanger, it went all the way through Orleans Place. Enough remembering.
I agree that Magnum and Batman: TR were probably the most influential coasters from the last 20 years. But you have to say probably the most influential of all time is the Coney Island Cyclone, look at all the copies, and knock-offs.
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