Happy Ferris Wheel Day!

National Ferris Wheel Day was Friday. How fun they are. . .that, and the whole carnival! Wait until summer!!

Happy National Ferris Wheel Day ! ! ! 

🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡 🎡

Facts:
What is Ferris? National Ferris Wheel Day is a celebration that commemorates the birth of George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., who was the inventor of the Ferris Wheel.

Paris France – The Roue de Paris – Ferris Wheel – courtesy of Openverse

The World’s Columbian Exposition: Preparations for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition commenced in earnest in 1891. The fair’s director of works, Daniel H. Burnham, established a significant challenge: to design a centerpiece for the exposition that would compete with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Constructed the previous year, the Eiffel Tower had rapidly gained international acclaim as a major attraction. Various concepts were proposed, with some plans being accepted while others were dismissed.

Financing the Implementation of the Ferris Wheel: George Washington Gale Ferris experienced a moment of inspiration. He considered various concepts, but it was during a visit to a Chicago chophouse one evening that he conceived an idea capable of addressing the challenge at hand. After drafting the design on napkins, he moved forward with his plans. When he presented the concept to Burnham, there was hesitation, as Burnham questioned the safety of transporting individuals to such heights. Nevertheless, Ferris remained determined.

Lots of Cash: George invested $25,000 of his own funds to finance safety studies, secured an additional $600,000 from investors, engaged engineers, constructed a wheel with a diameter of 250 feet, and elevated it between twin towers standing 140-feet tall.The achievement was monumental, standing at 26 stories high and generating an impressive revenue of $726,805.50. In the year 1893, this represented a substantial profit for the exposition.

Texas Star Ferris Wheel, State Fair of Texas courtesy of Openverse

Tragedy: Following the fair, Ferris faced significant challenges. Legal disputes regarding financial obligations led to his bankruptcy. Additionally, his marriage ended in separation.ragically, in 1896, just a few years after the fair, he passed away at the young age of 37 due to typhoid fever.

Ferris Wheel Lives On: The original wheel experienced a comparable destiny. In 1906, it was demolished using dynamite to obtain scrap metal. Nevertheless, the Ferris Wheel endures, and we still take pleasure in wheels globally.

Other Ferris Wheels Around the World: Here are some other famous Ferris Wheels around the world:

• The renowned Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company was responsible for the creation of the iconic Wonder Wheel at Coney Island in New York City, which was built between 1918 and 1920.
• Experience the stunning vistas of Niagara Falls from a seat on the Niagara Skywheel in Canada.

10247 Ferris Wheel courtesy of Openverse

A Few Facts:
I am sharing a few facts, and more, some trivia, some not trivial. . .

Large Ferris Wheels:
Here are some really large Ferris wheels worldwide:

• The Ain Dubai in Dubai: United Arab Emirates is the world’s largest Ferris wheel at 820 feet (250 meters) tall. It opened in 2021.
• High Roller: This Ferris wheel, found in Las Vegas, Nevada, stood at 550 feet (167.6 meters) tall from 2014 until 2021.
• Singapore Flyer: Positioned on Marina Bay in Singapore, this Ferris wheel measures 541 feet (165 meters) in height and was inaugurated in 2008.
• London Eye: With a height of 443 feet (135 meters), this Ferris wheel is recognized as the tallest cantilevered observation wheel globally.
• Bay Glory: Located in China, this Ferris wheel reaches 420 feet (128 meters) and features motorized capsules.

Ferris Wheel, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia courtesy of Openverse

Present:
The Ferris wheel has always been a staple at every carnival. I remember when the carnival came around in the summer in the 1970’s the Ferris wheel was always packed with lines! Not too shaky, but going up and up!

Future: 
Hopefully we can all enjoy tose Ferris wheels, now and for years and years. . .

FREEBIES & DEALS For Ferris Wheel Day:
🎡 FREE: Ferris Wheel Day: Ferris Wheel Fonts
🎡 FREE: Ferris Wheel Day: Crafts + Printable
🎡 CHEAP: Ferris Wheel Day: Ideas, Crafts & Worksheets
🎡 FREE: Ferris Wheel Day: AT “Hey It’s Free”

Hashtags:
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Ferris Wheel At Sunset courtesy of Openverse

National Ferris Wheel Day