Ferris Wheel

A group of engineers known as the Saturday Afternoon Club gathered to hear Daniel Burnham, director of the 1893 World's Fair, challenge them to come up with an idea that would exemplify the talents of American engineering to fair visitors. Burnham said to the group, "Some distinctive feature is needed. Something to take the relative position in the World's Columbian Exposition that was filled by the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Exposition.'" Not wanting another tower, he went on to say,"Something novel, original, daring and unique must be designed and built...." These words inspired the Pittsburgh engineer, George W. Ferris, to meet Burnham's challenge. On Wednesday, June 21, 1893 George Ferris' 264-foot steel structure was opened to fare-paying riders. Becoming one the Exposition's most-sought attractions, Ferris' wheel was designed to carry 36 "cars," each close to the size of a Pullman rail car and able accomodate up to 60 passengers! One car even carried a full band that furnished music for the ride. Towering over the Midway Plaisance, the Ferris Wheel offered its riders an awe-inspiring bird's eye view of the entire fair, especially at night when the city and lakefront fairgrounds shimmered in electric lights. The success of this first Ferris Wheel is still evidenced today at carnivals, parks, and street fairs worldwide.