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Columbian Expo, World's First Ferris Wheel, 1893

The original Ferris Wheel was the centerpiece of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The wheel rotated on a 71 ton, 45.5 foot axle comprising what was at that time the world's largest hollow forging, manufactured in Pittsburgh by the Bethlehem Iron Company and weighing 89,320 pounds, together with two 16 foot diameter cast-iron spiders weighing 53,031 pounds. There were 36 passenger cars, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs and able to accommodate up to 60 people, giving a total capacity of 2,160. The Ferris Wheel took 20 minutes to make two revolutions, the first involving 6 stops to allow passengers to exit and enter and the second a 9 minute non-stop rotation, for which the ticket holder paid 50 cents. Photo by Weber.
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Title:
Columbian Expo, World's First Ferris Wheel, 1893
Caption:
The original Ferris Wheel was the centerpiece of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The wheel rotated on a 71 ton, 45.5 foot axle comprising what was at that time the world's largest hollow forging, manufactured in Pittsburgh by the Bethlehem Iron Company and weighing 89,320 pounds, together with two 16 foot diameter cast-iron spiders weighing 53,031 pounds. There were 36 passenger cars, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs and able to accommodate up to 60 people, giving a total capacity of 2,160. The Ferris Wheel took 20 minutes to make two revolutions, the first involving 6 stops to allow passengers to exit and enter and the second a 9 minute non-stop rotation, for which the ticket holder paid 50 cents. Photo by Weber.
Credit:
Album / LOC/Science Source
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Model: No - Property: No
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Image size:
3360 x 4050 px | 38.9 MB
Print size:
28.4 x 34.3 cm | 11.2 x 13.5 in (300 dpi)
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