Ferris Wheel: Difference between revisions

Public wiki for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition
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| furnishing_cost  =  
| furnishing_cost  =  
| profit          = $267,000 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|267,000|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})
| profit          = $267,000 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|267,000|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})
| owner            =  
| owner            = Chicago House Wrecking Company
| architect        =
| architect        = George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.
| dimensions      =  
| dimensions      =  
| adult_entry      = 50¢ (${{Inflation|US|.5|1904}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})
| adult_entry      = 50¢ (${{Inflation|US|.5|1904}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})
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==Before the Fair==
==Before the Fair==
Built for the Exposition in Chicago, its monumental size overshadowed and dwarfed everything on the fairgrounds. In St. Louis, with the Fair's larger scale quite evident, it looked smaller in terms of the Fair but still impressively large.
===George Ferris===
Born in Galesburg, Illinois in 1859, Ferris attended Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute in New York, where he graduated in 1881 with a degree in engineering.
 
Ferris claimed that he developed he concept for the Ferris wheel while at a dinner in Chicago.
 
Ferris' one-of-a-kind design was able to carry five times the 1,200 ton capacity limit. In 80 miles an hour winds, the sway of the colossal wheel was less than half an inch.  
 
Ferris thought the 1893 fair management had robbed him and his investors of his cut in the $726,805 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|726,805|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) profit that his wheel had brought in.  


Modeled on a bicycle wheel, Pennsylvania bridgebuilder George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., an engaging and social visionary, created the mammoth structure in Pittsburgh (but sections were made at nine steel mills in Detroit, and in Cleveland and Youngstown Ohio, Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania).
Constantly in litigation, Ferris continued to create smaller wheels, selling them mostly to amusement parks across the U.S., but he made little profit. Ferris desired to build and sell bigger and better wheels, but demand was sporadic.  


Born in Galesburg, Illinois in 1859, Ferris attended Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute in New York, where he graduated in 1881 with a degree in engineering.
After his wife left him in 1896, Ferris suffered from depression. He died alone on Nov. 21, 1896, bankrupt at the age of 37, in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. Ferris never saw his masterpiece creation rise again in St. Louis.  


Ferris claimed that he developed he concept for the Ferris wheel while at a dinner in Chicago.
Ferris never sought or received a patent for his marvelous wheel-invention. George Ferris Jr.'s design for the observation wheel was copied by owners of resorts (such as Coney Island).


With massive steel "forks" which held a 46 1/2 foot long, 70 ton axle (the largest piece of steel ever forged in the united States), the huge Observation Wheel was 264 feet high. It carried 36 wooden passenger cars  each holding a security attendant, incidentally the chairs could swivel.  Each car could fit 60 people standing or 40 sitting people. Two 1,000 horsepower steam engines powered the 4,200 ton monstrosity and an oversized air brake was used for stopping.  
===Chicago's World Fair===
Modeled on a bicycle wheel, Pennsylvania bridgebuilder George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., an engaging and social visionary, created the mammoth structure in Pittsburgh (but sections were made at nine steel mills in Detroit, and in Cleveland and Youngstown Ohio, Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania).


Three people died building the great Observation Wheel.
Three people died building the great Observation Wheel.


Ferris' one-of-a-kind design was able to carry five times the 1,200 ton capacity limit. In 80 miles an hour winds, the sway of the colossal wheel was less than half an inch.
===Chicago Park===


The wheel was run by a double reversing engine with cylinders 30x48 in., capable of developing 2,000 horse power. The power is applied through a series of cogs to a sprocket chain which engages wide cogs on the outside of each rim.
In mid-1894, the great  wheel was sold at a bankruptcy auction in Chicago for $8,150. Rather that being scrapped, the Ferris Wheel was shipped to St. Louis and reassembled for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.


George Ferris Jr.'s design for his observation wheel was copied by owners of resorts (such as Coney Island), added to that, Ferris thought the 1893 fair management had robbed him and his investors of his cut in the 726,805.50 dollar profit that his wheel had brought in. Constantly in litigation, Ferris continued to create smaller wheels, selling them mostly to amusement parks across the U.S., but he made little profit. Ferris desired to build and sell bigger and better wheels, but demand was sporadic. After his wife left him in 1896, Ferris suffered from depression. He died alone on Nov. 21, 1896, bankrupt at the age of 37, in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. Ferris never saw his masterpiece creation rise again in St. Louis.  
==Description==
The observation wheel was 264 feet high. Two steel forks held up a 70-ton, 46 1/2' axle.  


Ferris never sought or received a patent for his marvelous wheel-invention.  
Two steam engines, arranged in a dual reversing engine provided 2,000hp to rotate the 4,200 ton wheel. The power was applied through a series of cogs to a sprocket chain which engages wide cogs on the outside of each rim. An oversized air brake was used for stopping.


In mid-1894, the great  wheel was sold at a bankruptcy auction in Chicago for $8,150. Rather that being scrapped, the Ferris Wheel was shipped to St. Louis and reassembled for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 178 freight cars brought the huge attraction the St. Louis at
The wheel could accommodate 2,160 passengers at a time. 36 cars were attached to the wheel. The cars were made of steel, clad in wood. Each car held a security attendant, and could hold 60 standing passengers, or 40 passengers sitting on swivel chairs.
a cost of 150,000 dollars.  


==Erection==
==St. Louis==
<gallery | class="center" | mode=packed-hover | widths=150px heights=150px>>
178 freight cars brought the huge attraction the St. Louis at a cost of $150,000 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|150,000|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). However, the wheel recouped its relocation coats in only four months of operation.  
File:Wheel-Construction 1.jpg  | Scaffolding Erected
File:Wheel-Construction 2.jpg  | Bases Erected
File:Wheel-Construction 3.jpg  | Support Posts
File:Wheel-Construction 4.jpg  | Axle Ready to be placed
File:Wheel-Construction 5.jpg  | Axle in place
File:Wheel-Construction 6.jpg| Outer Rim Start
File:Wheel-Construction 7.jpg  |Outer Rim Continues
File:Wheel-Construction 8.jpg  | Outer Rim 
File:Wheel-Construction 9.jpg| Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 10.jpg  |Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 11.jpg  | Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 12.jpg| Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 13.jpg  |Initial cars placed


</gallery>
Operating the Ferris Wheel required 44 persons, including guards, platform guides, an engineer and a fireman. The boiler required four tons of coal for each day’s operations. Three million people were carried without injury. The wheel carried approximately 7.5 percent of the paid admissions to the Fair each day.
==Description==
The Ferris Wheel was erected at the very center of the fair, near but not in the “Pike.” Operating the Ferris Wheel required 44 persons, including guards, platform guides, an engineer and a fireman. The boiler required four tons of coal for each day’s operations. The wheel carried approximately 7.5 percent of the paid admissions to the Fair each day (over twenty million people attended in total)


Fair goers in St. Louis could load the giant Observation Wheel with up to 2,160 persons, as it made its four revolutions per hour. Three  million people were carried without injury. The ride gave visitors a look at the Fair that rivaled a bird's view. They could plan their route to other attractions and scout out their day's attraction better than using a map.
On July 12 1904, Maud Nicholson, a dare-devil made one entire revolution of the huge Observation Wheel standing on top of one of the cars.   


The wheel recouped its relocation coats in only four months of operation.  
===Erection===
The Ferris Wheel was erected at the very center of the fair, near but not in [[The Pike]].  


On July 12 1904, Maud Nicholson, a dare-devil made one entire revolution of the huge Observation Wheel standing on top of one of the cars.   
<gallery | class="center" | mode=packed-hover | widths=150px heights=150px>>
File:Wheel-Construction 1.jpg  | Scaffolding Erected
File:Wheel-Construction 2.jpg  | Bases Erected
File:Wheel-Construction 3.jpg  | Support Posts
File:Wheel-Construction 4.jpg  | Axle Ready to be placed
File:Wheel-Construction 5.jpg  | Axle in place
File:Wheel-Construction 6.jpg  | Outer Rim Start
File:Wheel-Construction 7.jpg  | Outer Rim Continues
File:Wheel-Construction 8.jpg  | Outer Rim 
File:Wheel-Construction 9.jpg   | Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 10.jpg  | Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 11.jpg  | Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 12.jpg  | Outer Rim
File:Wheel-Construction 13.jpg  | Initial cars placed
</gallery>


===Weddings===
Individual cars could be rented out for weddings and other special engagements.  
Individual cars could be rented out for weddings and other special engagements.  
There were 50 marriage ceremonies on the great  wheel, in fact it became so popular (one couple was married on horseback in one of the car, while another pairing  was married on top of one of the cars), that a special car, complete with a piano was designated for the Observation Wheel ceremonies.   
There were 50 marriage ceremonies on the great  wheel, in fact it became so popular (one couple was married on horseback in one of the car, while another pairing  was married on top of one of the cars), that a special car, complete with a piano was designated for the Observation Wheel ceremonies.   


==After The Fair==
The Chicago House Wrecking Company attempted to sell the Ferris Wheel to the operators of Coney Island amusement park in New York.


==After The Fair==
The estimated costs of taking down and re-erecting the wheel there would have been approximately $166,500 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|166,500|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), while the salvage value, if the wheel were wrecked, was approximately $75,950 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|75,950|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).  
The Chicago House Wrecking Company took complete possession of the St. Louis Fair on December 1, 1904. Some 1,200 “dismantlers” were employed in the taking down and sorting of the resulting materials. And, of course, the Ferris Wheel, which the Chicago House Wrecking Company attempted to sell to the operators of Coney Island amusement park in New York. The estimated costs of taking down and re-erecting the wheel there would have been approximately $166,500, while the salvage value, if the wheel were wrecked, was approximately $75,950. The 264 foot high Observation Wheel was deemed too expensive to ship (and to house); it was decided that on May 11th, 1906, Ferris'
 
masterpiece would be toppled and sold for scrap. Their profit 1,800 dollars. 100 pounds of dynamite was need to do the job and collapse the monstrosity into a 90 foot-wide mass of wreckage. The wheel was dismantled, and sadly used for war.
After Coney Island declined to purchase the wheel, it was deemed too expensive to ship (and to store); it was decided that on May 11th, 1906, Ferris' masterpiece would be toppled and sold for scrap. Their profit was $1,800 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1,800|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})dollars.  
 
100 pounds of dynamite collapsed the wheel into a 90 foot-wide mass of wreckage.  


===The Axle===
===The Axle===
There has been an insatiable curiosity about the Wheel's axle. One long-standing rumor that the axle was it buried buried near Skinker Avenue in Forest Park.  
There has been an insatiable curiosity about the Wheel's axle. One long-standing rumor that the axle was it buried buried near Skinker Avenue in Forest Park.  


A few scholar have tireless studied official documents that have put a stronger light on the axle's fate.
A few scholars have tireless studied official documents that have put a stronger light on the axle's fate.


The giant axle of the wheel was returned to the yards of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, where it remained until it was cut up for its steel content at the beginning of World War I.  
The giant axle of the wheel was returned to the yards of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, where it remained until it was cut up for its steel content at the beginning of World War I.  

Revision as of 16:49, 30 November 2022

Ferris Wheel
Alternative namesObservation Wheel
LocationThe Trail
No. of Buildings1
OwnerChicago House Wrecking Company
Construction
Construction Cost$380,000 ($11.5 million in 2021)
Proft$267,000 ($8.05 million in 2021)
Entry
Adult Entry50¢ ($15 in 2021)
Architecture
ArchitectGeorge Washington Gale Ferris Jr.


Located on The Trail, the Ferris Wheel, built by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. was a symbol of the Fair.

Before the Fair

George Ferris

Born in Galesburg, Illinois in 1859, Ferris attended Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute in New York, where he graduated in 1881 with a degree in engineering.

Ferris claimed that he developed he concept for the Ferris wheel while at a dinner in Chicago.

Ferris' one-of-a-kind design was able to carry five times the 1,200 ton capacity limit. In 80 miles an hour winds, the sway of the colossal wheel was less than half an inch.

Ferris thought the 1893 fair management had robbed him and his investors of his cut in the $726,805 ($21.9 million in 2021) profit that his wheel had brought in.

Constantly in litigation, Ferris continued to create smaller wheels, selling them mostly to amusement parks across the U.S., but he made little profit. Ferris desired to build and sell bigger and better wheels, but demand was sporadic.

After his wife left him in 1896, Ferris suffered from depression. He died alone on Nov. 21, 1896, bankrupt at the age of 37, in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. Ferris never saw his masterpiece creation rise again in St. Louis.

Ferris never sought or received a patent for his marvelous wheel-invention. George Ferris Jr.'s design for the observation wheel was copied by owners of resorts (such as Coney Island).

Chicago's World Fair

Modeled on a bicycle wheel, Pennsylvania bridgebuilder George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., an engaging and social visionary, created the mammoth structure in Pittsburgh (but sections were made at nine steel mills in Detroit, and in Cleveland and Youngstown Ohio, Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania).

Three people died building the great Observation Wheel.

Chicago Park

In mid-1894, the great wheel was sold at a bankruptcy auction in Chicago for $8,150. Rather that being scrapped, the Ferris Wheel was shipped to St. Louis and reassembled for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Description

The observation wheel was 264 feet high. Two steel forks held up a 70-ton, 46 1/2' axle.

Two steam engines, arranged in a dual reversing engine provided 2,000hp to rotate the 4,200 ton wheel. The power was applied through a series of cogs to a sprocket chain which engages wide cogs on the outside of each rim. An oversized air brake was used for stopping.

The wheel could accommodate 2,160 passengers at a time. 36 cars were attached to the wheel. The cars were made of steel, clad in wood. Each car held a security attendant, and could hold 60 standing passengers, or 40 passengers sitting on swivel chairs.

St. Louis

178 freight cars brought the huge attraction the St. Louis at a cost of $150,000 ($4.52 million in 2021). However, the wheel recouped its relocation coats in only four months of operation.

Operating the Ferris Wheel required 44 persons, including guards, platform guides, an engineer and a fireman. The boiler required four tons of coal for each day’s operations. Three million people were carried without injury. The wheel carried approximately 7.5 percent of the paid admissions to the Fair each day.

On July 12 1904, Maud Nicholson, a dare-devil made one entire revolution of the huge Observation Wheel standing on top of one of the cars.

Erection

The Ferris Wheel was erected at the very center of the fair, near but not in The Pike.

  • Scaffolding Erected

    Scaffolding Erected

  • Bases Erected

    Bases Erected

  • Support Posts

    Support Posts

  • Axle Ready to be placed

    Axle Ready to be placed

  • Axle in place

    Axle in place

  • Outer Rim Start

    Outer Rim Start

  • Outer Rim Continues

    Outer Rim Continues

  • Outer Rim

    Outer Rim

  • Outer Rim

    Outer Rim

  • Outer Rim

    Outer Rim

  • Outer Rim

    Outer Rim

  • Outer Rim

    Outer Rim

  • Initial cars placed

    Initial cars placed

Weddings

Individual cars could be rented out for weddings and other special engagements. There were 50 marriage ceremonies on the great wheel, in fact it became so popular (one couple was married on horseback in one of the car, while another pairing was married on top of one of the cars), that a special car, complete with a piano was designated for the Observation Wheel ceremonies.

After The Fair

The Chicago House Wrecking Company attempted to sell the Ferris Wheel to the operators of Coney Island amusement park in New York.

The estimated costs of taking down and re-erecting the wheel there would have been approximately $166,500 ($5.02 million in 2021), while the salvage value, if the wheel were wrecked, was approximately $75,950 ($2.29 million in 2021).

After Coney Island declined to purchase the wheel, it was deemed too expensive to ship (and to store); it was decided that on May 11th, 1906, Ferris' masterpiece would be toppled and sold for scrap. Their profit was $1,800 ($54,287 in 2021)dollars.

100 pounds of dynamite collapsed the wheel into a 90 foot-wide mass of wreckage.

The Axle

There has been an insatiable curiosity about the Wheel's axle. One long-standing rumor that the axle was it buried buried near Skinker Avenue in Forest Park.

A few scholars have tireless studied official documents that have put a stronger light on the axle's fate.

The giant axle of the wheel was returned to the yards of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, where it remained until it was cut up for its steel content at the beginning of World War I.

See also

Notes

References

External links

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