Ferris Wheel Invention

Grover Cleveland

Definition and Summary of the Ferris Wheel Invention
Summary and Definition: The Ferris Wheel Invention was an engineering marvel designed by American engineer, George Ferris for the
1893 Chicago World's Fair. The great fair was originally known as the World's Columbian Exposition that was organized to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the New World. The American engineer George Ferris created a giant, revolving observation wheel to provide visitors with a magnificent view of the fair from the Ferris Wheel Invention.

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention for kids
Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th American President who served in office from March 4, 1885 to March 4, 1889 and from March 4, 1893 - March 4,1897. One of the unusual events during his presidency was the invention of the Ferris Wheel.

     
   

The Ferris Wheel Invention at the Chicago World's Fair

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention
Ferris Wheel Invention
 

The Ferris Wheel Invention for the Ferris Wheel Invention
The Ferris Wheel Invention was a immense event combining entertainment and educational exhibits with the latest innovations and inventions. In just 6 months the Ferris Wheel Invention attracted over 27 million visitors from all over the world - and most of them couldn't resist a ride on the revolving observation they soon began to call the "Ferris Wheel".

Ferris Wheel Invention: The Idea
Daniel H. Burnham, the Architect and Construction Chief of the Ferris Wheel Invention, gave a speech to a group of architects and engineers who were interested in the World's Columbian Exposition, hoping to inspire enthusiasm for this monumental project.

George Ferris was in the audience, and like most of his associates admired the commanding Eiffel Tower, built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, for the Paris Exposition of 1878. A similar exhibit would certainly create an impact, but nobody wanted to copy the French.

George Ferris went on to develop the idea of creating a giant revolving observation wheel to rival the Eiffel Tower.

Ferris Wheel Invention for kids: Who was the Inventor?
The inventor of the 'Big Wheel' therefore was George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. (1859-1896). He was a talented civil engineer and an astute businessman who specialized in large-scale engineering projects involving the construction of railroads and bridges. Based in Pittsburgh he owned two successful companies.

Facts about the Ferris Wheel Invention: Fun Facts for Kids
History and interesting info about the inventions displayed at the
Chicago World's Fair and the Ferris Wheel Invention. Fast Facts for kids are detailed below. The history and information is told in a series of fun facts providing a simple method of relating to construction of the Ferris Wheel Invention. Cool, fun and interesting stats and facts for kids about the Ferris Wheel invention at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention Facts for Kids

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 1: How tall was the first Ferris Wheel? It was 264 feet tall (80.4 meters), equivalent to a 26 storey building.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 2: How big was the first Ferris Wheel? The entire steel structure weighed 4,100 tons. It was 825 feet in circumference and rotated on a 45-foot axle that  was 82 inches in diameter and weighed 56 tons. The axle alone was the largest piece of steel ever forged.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 3: Many engineers believed the structure could never be built or operated

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 4: The machinery was powered by two of 1,000-horsepower steam engines.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 5: It carried 36 cars, referred to as gondolas, which were 13 feet wide, 27 feet long and 9 feet high.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 6: It could carry 60 passengers in each of the 36 gondolas, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs, with a total capacity of 2160 passengers per rotation.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 7: It was built to withstand 150 mile-an-hour tornado force winds

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 8: Each gondola was staffed by a conductor wearing a uniform of a blue jacket and white pants. The role of the conductor was to look after the comfort and safety of the passengers, calming fears of those scared of heights and pointing out the attractions of the Chicago World's Fair.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 9: Each of the 5 large plate glass windows on each side of the cars were fitted with heavy screens and the doors at each end were provided with secure locks

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 10: Each ride lasted about 10 minutes making two complete circuits

Continued...

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention Facts for Kids

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention for kids
The info about the Ferris Wheel Invention provides interesting facts and important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 22nd and 24th President of the United States of America.

Facts about the Ferris Wheel Invention: Fun Facts for Kids
Fast, fun facts about the Ferris Wheel Invention for kids are continued below.

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention Facts for Kids

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 11: The view was spectacular providing the visitors with a panoramic view of the attractions and pavilions of the fair. On a clear day it was possible to see the surrounding states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. from the top of the circuit.

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 12: The ride was located in the in Midway Plaisance and cost 50 cents per person, whereas the entrance to the exposition only cost 25 cents

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 13: It proved to be the most popular attraction at the Chicago World's Fair and made about $10,000 a day

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 14: It cost $250,000 and opened on June 21, 1893, seven weeks behind schedule

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 15: During the 19 weeks it was in operation during the exposition it carried 1,453,611 passengers

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 16: The attraction made $726,805.50 during the Expo, three times the cost of the attraction

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 17: It was so popular the whole structure was moved to Chicago’s North Side. It took 86 days and cost $14,833 to dismantle it.  It remained in operation for another 10 years

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 18: It was sold to the organizers of the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 19: It was eventually dynamited on May 11, 1906

Ferris Wheel Invention Fact 20: George Washington Gale Ferris died of tuberculosis in Pittsburgh shortly after the Chicago World's Fair on November 22, 1896. He was just 37 years old.

1893 Ferris Wheel Invention Facts for Kids

Ferris Wheel Invention - President Grover Cleveland Video
The article on the Ferris Wheel Invention provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following Grover Cleveland video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 22nd and 24th President of the United States whose presidencies spanned from March 4, 1885 to March 4, 1889 and from March 4, 1893 - March 4,1897.

Ferris Wheel Invention

● Interesting Facts about Ferris Wheel Invention for kids and schools
● Summary of the Ferris Wheel Invention in US history
● The Ferris Wheel Invention, a major event in US history
● Major attraction at the Chicago World's Fair
● Fast, facts on the giant revolving observation wheel Invention
● Fun Stats and Facts about the attraction
● Grover Cleveland Presidency and Ferris Wheel Invention at the Chicago World's Fair for schools, homework, kids and children

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