Happy National Ferris Wheel Day! On February 14th, today is the annual observance of honoring the birthday of American civil engineer and inventor of the Ferris Wheel: George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.
Preparations for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition began in earnest in 1891. American architect, urban designer and director of works for the fair, Daniel H. Burnham, laid out the challenge: create a centerpiece to the show that will rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
Erected one year prior, the Eiffel Tower quickly became a world attraction. Ideas were tossed about, plans presented and plans rejected.
From this, Ferris was inspired. He afterwards contemplated several ideas, but it wasn’t until one evening in a Chicago chophouse that he struck on an idea that could fit the challenge. After sketching out the design on napkins, he proceeded to develop his plans.
When presented with the concept Burnham balked, doubting it could safely carry people to such heights. Ferris persisted. Spending $25,000 of his own money, he paid for safety studies, obtained $600,000 more from investors, hired engineers and built the 250-foot diameter wheel and hoisted it up between 140-foot twin towers.
It was a colossal success at twenty-six stories tall and making a whopping $726,805.50! In 1893, that was a hefty profit for the fair. Due to inflation, this would be equivalent to $20,834,024.59 today!
Despite the wheel’s success, Ferris struggled after the fair. Lawsuits over who owed who bankrupt him. His wife left him. Then November 22, 1896, a few short years after the fair, he passed from typhoid fever. Ferris was thirty-seven.
The original wheel suffered a similar fate. In 1906, it was destroyed with dynamite for scrap metal. The idea has lived on, and wheels continue to be enjoyed around the world.
WHEELS AROUND THE WORLD
- • The Tianjin Eye Ferris Wheel in Tianjin, China, is built over a bridge spanning the Hai River.
- • The London Eye overlooks the Thames River in London, England, United Kingdom.
- • The ever classic Wonder Wheel of Coney Island in New York City, New York was built by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company from 1918-1920.
- • Take your breath away looking over Niagara Falls from a seat on the Niagara Skywheel at the Fallsview Tourist Area at Clifton Hill, Ontario, Canada.
FUN FACT:
At a height of 550 ft (167.6 m),High Roller in Las Vegas, Nevada is currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world! Situated on the Strip, the structure is part of The LINQ project and features twenty-eight high-tech glass-enclosed cabins with sweeping views of the city.
HOW TO OBSERVE
If you are near a Ferris Wheel, catch a lift up to the top and enjoy the view. Invite someone to join you and share the experience. As you know, it’s the best way to #CelebrateEveryDay!
Share your favorite Ferris Wheel using #NationalFerrisWheelDay to post on social media.
National Day Calendar® have been around and around about the origins of this day. And while they know that it honors the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, they have yet to identify the founder of the day.
#NationalFerrisWheelDay
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