Lost Legends: The Great Wheel |
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| The World's Columbian Exposition was was held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of the new world. Affectionately called The White City, the fair was a dazzling collection of classical roman-style buildings and ornate fountains. It introduced many important innovations that have affected the amusement industry. For example, the midway first appeared at the fair. And for you trivia buffs: Aunt Jemima (the mayple syrup lady) also made her first appearance at the fair. It was a colossal blend of entertainment, engineering and technology. But perhaps the most incredible thing there was the original Ferris Wheel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As a child, George Ferris was captivated by a water wheel near his home in western Nevada. Many years later, after hearing a complaint that American engineers had not been able to contrive anything original and adventurous for the upcoming fair, he designed an amusement device similar to the water wheel he was so fascinated with was a child, except that it would carry people. The Ferris Wheel was born. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Great Wheel, as it is commonly called, was an incredible testament to American engineering prowess. At 80m (264') tall, it was a spectacular site to behold, and certainly the highlight of anyone's visit to the fair. It had 36 gondolas, each capable of holding 60 people. The 43m (140') tall tower supports were anchored in bedrock far below the swampy ground it was built on. The entire wheel, with supports, weighed in at 1200 tons. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ferris contracted a dozen steel companies to do the fabrication, since it was much too large a job for a single company. The axle alone was 14.2m (46.5') long, nearly a meter in diameter, and weighed more than 40 tonnes (45 tons). At the time it was the largest single piece of steel ever forged. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The wheel opened on June 21, 1983. Crowds of people flocked to the fair to see, and to ride, this new marvel of engineering achievement. Over its life at the fair, 1,453,611 people rode the wheel, each paying 50¢ to do so. The wheel paid for itself within its first weeks of operation, and was likely the only reason the fair made a profit. At the fair, the wheel was visited by George Tilyou, founder of the famous Steeplechase Park in New York, while on his honeymoon. Tilyou loved the wheel so much, he tried to buy it, but after failing at that, he eventually decided to have a smaller one built back at his park. |  |
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After the exposition, the wheel was put into storage. Many parks attempted to buy the wheel from Ferris, but he would no part with it. Finally, he bought a plot of land in a Chicago neighbourhood, where he set the wheel back up. It operated there until the park was forced to close, $400,000 in debt. About this time George Ferris fell ill, and was admitted to hospital. Soon after, the wheel was sold at auction for $1800 dollars. George Washington Gale Ferris died soon after, in November of 1896; he was only 37 years old. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The Great Wheel opened one last time in St. Louis in 1904. When that fair ended, the wheel was left standing. After years of not operating, St. Louis residents decided to get rid of the rusting eyesore. On May 11, 1906 a one hundred pound dynamite charge brought the wheel down for ever. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Great Wheel marked a very important advance in the industry. It was the first large-scale use of technology for the sole purpose of fun. The wheel showed that is was possible, and even financially viable, to build large structures simple for entertainment purposes. Perhaps, we would not have the giant roller coasters of today, if it weren't for the example of this ride. Long live The Great Wheel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by James Kay
© Coasterglobe.com
Diagram © Coasterglobe.com
Photos: Chicago Historical Society, Library of Congress, Missouri Historical Society
