Description Here is my interpretation of a Ferris Wheel and some history....The Ferris wheel is named after Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bridge-builder, George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. He began his career in the railroad industry and then pursued an interest in bridge building. Ferris understood the growing need for structural steel and founded G.W.G. Ferris & Co. in Pittsburgh, a firm that tested and inspected metals for railroads and bridge builders.Ferris designed and built the first 264 foot (80 meter) wheel for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in 1893. The wheel was intended as a rival to the Eiffel Tower, the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris exhibition. This first wheel could carry 2,160 persons. The Ferris wheel was the largest attraction at the Columbian Exposition standing over 250' tall and powered by two 1000 HP steam engines. There were 36 cars accommodating 60 people each (40 seated, 20 standing). It took 20 minutes for the wheel to make two revolutions - the first to make six stops to allow passengers to exit and enter; the 2nd a single non-stop revolution - and for that, the ticket holder paid 50 cents. The wheel was moved twice after the 1893 Fair and was eventually destroyed (by controlled demolition) in 1906 after it was used at the St. Louis exposition of that year. At 70 tons, its axle was the largest steel forging of the time. It was 26 stories tall, only a quarter of the Eiffel Tower's height.[1]Sections of this Ferris wheel were used to construct a bridge across the Kankakee River, about 45 miles south of Chicago just north of Tefft, Indiana. [2]The Travels of Peter Mundy, 1608-1667 describes and illustrates 'Several sorts of Swinginge used in their Publique rejoyceings att their feast of Biram' in the Ottoman Balkans. Among means lesse dangerous and troublesome only for children was a Ferris wheel like a Craine wheele att Customhowse Key where the passengers swing on short swings, s
Christopher Boswell, The Great Northwest Member Since April 2008 Artist StatementHello and Welcome! This all started with a photo in the newspaper 20 years ago in Philadelphia. The thrill of sharing an image that started in my head was intoxicating. Since that first time my efforts have been centered on documenting the places found and passing them along to you. Find your light then shine it! Cheers! Please visit my Websites www.chrisboswell.com