What are some fun facts about the Ferris wheel?

Origin and History

• Background: The Ferris wheel was born in the late 19th century and was first designed by American George Washington Gale Ferris for the Chicago Expo in 1893. At that time, it was to compete with the Eiffel Tower built in Paris at the 1889 Expo.
• Early influence: The first Ferris wheel weighed 2,200 tons, could carry 2,160 people, and was as high as a 26-story building. The Ferris wheel was a blockbuster as soon as it appeared, attracting a large number of tourists and making George Ferris famous. Since then, people have called this facility the “Ferris Wheel”.

Design and structure

• Classification: According to its structural characteristics, the Ferris wheel can be divided into three types: gravity Ferris wheel, spokeless Ferris wheel and observation Ferris wheel. The cabins of gravity-type Ferris wheels are hung on the wheel, and gravity keeps the sliding axis horizontal; while the cabins on the observation Ferris wheel are suspended outside the wheel, requiring a more complex connecting rod-type mechanical structure to maintain the horizontality.
• Working principle: The working principle of the Ferris wheel is based on gravity, friction, rotational inertia and driving force. Gravity keeps the passenger cabins in the correct position of the spokes, friction prevents them from sliding, rotational inertia keeps the wheel rotating, and the driving force is usually provided by an electric motor.

Famous Ferris wheels around the world

• Singapore’s “Flyer” Ferris Wheel: 165 meters high, it is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel with a total of 28 cabins. It took 3 years to build and was officially put into operation in 2008.
• China’s “Nanchang Star” Ferris Wheel: 160 meters high, it was once the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, but is currently ranked second. It is a gravity-type Ferris wheel that can rotate continuously and rotates once in about half an hour.
• The “London Eye” Ferris Wheel in the UK: 135 meters high, it is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe. It is located on the banks of the Thames, and passengers can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire city of London.
• China’s “Tianjin Eye” Ferris Wheel: 120 meters high, it is the only Ferris wheel built on a bridge in the world.
• The Ferris Wheel at the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia: 70 meters in diameter and 73 meters high, it is the largest Ferris wheel in Eastern Europe.
• South Korea’s “Seoul Twin Stars” Ferris Wheel: Under construction, it is expected to be completed and opened in 2028. It will be the world’s largest spokeless Ferris wheel, with two tracks with a diameter of 180 meters, forming a double ring intersection. It contains 64 viewing cabins, each of which can accommodate 20 to 25 people, and can accommodate up to 1,400 people at the same time.

Other interesting facts

• Ferris wheel and amusement park: Ferris wheel is one of the three classic projects in amusement parks (collectively known as the “Three Treasures of the Park” with roller coasters and carousels), and is deeply loved by tourists.
• Ferris wheel viewing experience: The cabin of the Ferris wheel is usually designed to be very transparent, and passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery inside. As the height increases, the scenery is gradually changing, bringing different visual experiences to passengers.
• Cultural significance of the Ferris wheel: The Ferris wheel is not only an amusement facility, but also carries rich cultural significance. It represents people’s pursuit of heights, beautiful scenery and romance. On some special occasions (such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc.), the Ferris wheel often becomes a great place for couples to confess or celebrate.

In summary, as a popular amusement facility and viewing platform, the Ferris wheel not only has a long history and unique structural characteristics, but also carries rich cultural significance. Whether standing under the Ferris wheel and looking up at its majestic figure, or sitting in the Ferris wheel and overlooking the beautiful scenery, it can bring people unforgettable experiences and feelings.