Ferris Wheel, a World’s Fair First
In 1889, the Paris World’s Fair unveiled the Eiffel Tower and showed the world steel’s capabilities. The Columbian Exposition was under enormous pressure to “out-Eiffel Eiffel.” Fair organizers contracted with Pittsburgh engineer George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. to develop a moveable tower that lifted people roughly 8 meters (264 feet) into the air, supported by two 43 meter (140 foot) tall towers on each side.
The nine-minute-long ride gave visitors an aerial view of the fairgrounds and the area around the Fair. It was a success, making a profit of $395,000. While the original Ferris Wheel was destroyed in 1906, its legacy lives on at fairs and amusement parks throughout the world.
