A Timeline -- THE HISTORY OF THE FERRIS WHEEL

THE HISTORY OF THE FERRIS WHEEL

A timeline

The idea of a turning wheel that moved objects has been around for hundreds of years. An example of a wheel of this sort is the cattle driven water wheel.

May 17, 1620 – Peter Murphy visited a small town celebration in Turkey. One of the rides included two vertical wheels (about 20 feet across) that were held off the ground by a large post on each side. The ride was called a "pleasure wheel."

1728 – Wheels of pleasure existed in England at the Saint Bartholomew Fair. They had four passenger seats.

1848 – Antonio Magunio established a pleasure wheel in Walton Spring, Georgia. The wheel was made of wood and was powered by two men.

1860 – French pleasure wheel existed that could carry 16 passengers. Men would climb a ladder to the top and turn it by hand.

1879 – The Paris Exposition is held. The marvelous Eiffel Tower is built to 984 feet high.

1880 – The Conderman Brothers made a 35 foot wheel of metal pipe that had "buggylike" seats that could hold two passengers each.

1890 – "Circular swings" were invented. Men also powered them.

1892 – George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. draws plans for his Ferris Wheel. He planned for the wheel to be 250 feet across and be supported by two towers that were 140 feet across. The wheel would have 36 cars and be able to carry 60 people. The wheel was built to down play the Eiffel Tower.

1895 – Workmen began to reassemble the wheel at a park on North Clark Street in Chicago.

-Efforts also began to surpass Ferris’ wheel. Busset tried to make one that was 20 feet higher. This wheel could hold 30 passengers, 10 that were first class and five that were smokers. This wheel is still standing today at Earl’s Court.

1897 – Busset’s third wheel was built. It was 197 feet in diameter and had 20 passenger cars.
1900 – Due to his overwhelming debt, Ferris began to take offers for his wheel. It sold for $1800.
1904 – Ferris’ wheel was rebuilt for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. However, it again failed to generate sufficient funds.
March 11, 1906 – The wheel was destroyed and sold as scrap iron.
1906 – Sullivan built his "El Bridge." He was more concerned with commercialization than size.
1920 – The early 1920’s mark new innovations in ferris wheels. The "Wonder Wheel" is built at Coney Island. This ride was considered more exciting by passengers. The "Swooper" is invented and known for the ease of loading. This ride held two people and was pulled on a track by steel cables. It cannot be found anymore.

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