We’ve all had amazing times riding
Ferris wheels, but have you ever stopped to think about the history of the fairground ride, or how they work? There is so much we don’t know about Ferris wheels. Read below for some fascinating facts about Ferris wheels - and check out our
Ferris Wheel FAQs for even more information!
The Ferris Wheel was named after its creator, bridge-builder G.W.G. Ferris! That’s right, the inventor of the
funfair ride named it after himself. Hey, if you invented something so fun and well known, you’d want to make sure your name was memorialised, right? The inventor’s full Sunday name is George Washington Gale Ferris Jr… We can see why they decided to shorten it to the somewhat more snappy GWG! Good work, George!
The Ferris Wheels we see today have different designs to the original wheels! William Somers was a carpenter from America, when in 1892 he built a range of 50-foot wooden wheels. These wheels were prominently displayed in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and most notably Coney Island. These wheels weren’t known as Ferris Wheels but rather Roundabouts. From these small acorns came G.W.G Ferris’ wheels which we see all over the world. We think G.W.G might owe William a thank you for laying the groundwork for his iconic wheels!
The first Ferris Wheel has a connection to Columbia! Who would’ve guessed that? Not us! As it turns out, the wheel was created as a landmark for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago! The exposition was designed as a corporate fun day to make a show of Chicago’s burgeoning businesses, celebrating the state’s culture and wealth. Needless to say then that G.W.G and the organisers were under a lot of pressure to make sure the exposition was a memorable event. We think they did a great job. After all, what other iconic funfair ride or attraction has stood the test of time better than the Ferris Wheel?
Over 1.4 million people rode the iconic wheel during the Columbian Exposition. Let that sink in. That’s almost one and a half million people who went up in the air during the maiden voyage. Brave? Courage? Silly? Not for me to decide but I doubt I’d have been up there! Needless to say the attraction was a huge success and there were no reports of injuries or break-downs. Bravo G.W.G and team!
Finally, and most importantly, Ferris Wheels are iconic and famous world-wide. Don’t just take our word for it, visit your local theme park, you’re sure to see a Ferris Wheel there! Ferris Wheels have been favourites throughout American theme parks, such as Coney Island, as well across the Atlantic in the UK. The London Eye is maybe the best known Ferris Wheel, rightly so. Sitting in the heart of the capital, it’s played host to so many iconic images (and more than a few Instagram snaps!) The Ferris Wheel has come a long way from its humble beginnings at a Colombian Day exposition in Chicago in 1893!
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