In 1893 , Chicago was in demand of apièce de résistance . The city was hosting the World ’s Columbian Exposition ( a.k.a . the Chicago World ’s Fair ) and desire a showpiece that would rival Paris ' Eiffel Tower from the 1889 carnival . After a number of horrid approximation were forbid , 33 - year - old Pittsburgh engineerGeorge Washington Gale Ferris Jr.suggested a gargantuan revolving bike .
The humanity ’s first Ferris rack was reveal on June 21 of that yr . It measured 250 pes in diam and hold 60 masses in each of its 36 cars . Ferris did n’t manufacture the wheel , but his version ( into which he put $ 25,000 of his own money ) was a vast success , welcoming 1.4 million people over the following 19 calendar week .
The engineer never had the chance to build up another rack , as he succumbed to typhoid fever fever just three eld later . The original rack was dismantled in the early 1900s . But in the century since , many notable Ferris wheel have sprung up around the world . Here are some that are deserving the trek .
1. NAVY PIER FERRIS WHEEL // CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The birthplace of the Ferris cycle is still garner attending for its drive . Up until 2015 , there was one that stood around 100 feet lower than Mr. Ferris ' original 264 - foot - tall creation . It must have been comfy enough however , because in 2013 , it served as the site of theworld ’s longest Ferris steering wheel ride(over 48 minute ) . A unexampled versionopened in 2016to coincide with the Navy Pier ’s centenary . Its 42 enclosed gondolas , which each seat 10 , are not only temperature controlled — for year - round delectation — but they also include plush seats and television systems .
2. WIENER RIESENRAD // VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Chicago might not be deliver on top , but that does n’t imply there are n’t some impressively marvelous wheels out there . The world’soldest - runningFerris wheel — and the only surviving loop built in the nineteenth one C — held the title of tallest longer than any other Ferris wheel . The212 - foot - tallWiener Riesenrad was built in 1897 , and while it did n’t clear World ’s tall laurels until 1920 , it held the top patch until 1985 . Japan ’s Technostar eventually dethroned the attractor , but Riesenrad extend to do all right for itself , making a cameo in a number ofdifferent picture show , including a memorable first kiss inBefore Sunrise .
3. PACIFIC WHEEL // SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
California ’s Pacific Coast is well - bonk for bright , beautiful weather condition — and the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier fix salutary use of it as the world’sfirst and onlysolar - power Ferris bicycle . First installed in 1996 , the original wheel was sold on eBay for over$130,000when a young one was erected in 2008 . Theoriginal solar panelsare still in property , however , generate up to 71,000 kilowatt - hours of photovoltaic power — which is enough to power the 160,000 light-emitting diode visible light and rides for 800 passengers an hr .
4. WONDER WHEEL // BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
complete in 1920 , this Coney Island classic is one of , if not the , first so - called eccentric Ferris wheel — a dizzying eminence that refers to the way16 of the 24 carson the 150 - foot - tall wheel cut back and forth during the ride . The original architect , a Romanian - carry engineer named Charles Hermann , designed it as such to capitalise on the popularity of both Ferris wheels and roller coaster . During the course of a rotary motion , there d and blue carsslide in toward the axle and back out toward the perimeter .
It ’s estimate that more 30 million people have taken a ride on the Wonder Wheel in its 100 - year history , and the landmark runs much like it did when it first premier . It ’s operated without any major mishaps away from when it — along with the urban center — end during the Great New York City Blackout on July 13 , 1977 . 2nd - generation owner Fred Garmshand - crank the wheelto bring all the passengers back down to safety .
5. THE HIGH ROLLER // LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Much like theLondon Eye , the High Roller is n’t incisively a Ferris wheel . Technically , it ’s an “ observation roulette wheel , ” which means rather than supply boot to entertainment park goers , it ’s plan to provide tourists with 360 - academic degree scene of the metropolis . In Vegas , this means28 methamphetamine hydrochloride podsthat can each hold up to 40 masses circumvolve at one foot per 2nd — or 30 minute for a full revolution . The High Roller , which open in 2014 , warrant a mention for the fact that at550 feethigh , it ’s among the marvellous rotate rack experiences you may find anywhere in the public .
6. Ain Dubai // Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai expend age constructing the world ’s largest observance bicycle . It ’s nearly twice as improbable as the London Eye ; fit 1400 passengers ; and even includesa secret bar . The observation wheel wasscheduled to openin 2020 , but its big debut has been push back due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
7. BIG O // TOKYO, JAPAN
For a slightly different pinnacle , there ’s Tokyo ’s Big O. Located in the middle of the bustling , ultramodern capital , is the first and heavy center - less Ferris roulette wheel . To accent the strikingly empty center , the Dome City Complex attraction has a tumbler pigeon coaster rushing through it at81 mph .
8. TIANJIN EYE // TIANJIN, CHINA
complete in 2008 , this observation wheel is noteworthy for its unique location : It ’s directly above a river and straddling a commuter bridge . Its highest point is 400 feetabove the river Haiwith car on the Yongle Bridge rushing by underneath rider in one of 50 passenger compartments .
A version of this clause earlier run in 2015 ; it has been update for 2021 .
