Ferris Wheels

 

Sissy and I passed a fair on our way to knitting class tonight. It's in the setting up stage - not quite ready for prime time yet.

The Ferris wheel reminded me of a book I finished over the summer, "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. An interesting look at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. One of the biggest attractions was the very first Ferris wheel - America's answer to the Eiffel Tower, which had dazzled the world a few years prior.

We take them for granted now. Ferris wheels show up at every carnival and fair around. But at one time, the Ferris wheel was quite the novelty. According to the Smithsonian, the original Ferris wheel had 36 cars and held 60 people each, for a total of 2,160 people per ride. 

After the World's Fair, the designer of the Ferris wheel was embroiled in legal problems and eventually died at the age of 37. The original Ferris wheel was sold and destroyed. 

The Eiffel Tower still exists.

Interesting book if you're looking for something to read.