PITTSBURGH ENGINEERING: Ferris & His Wheel

How can you create a structure that will be just as impressive and maybe even more amazing than the Eiffel Tower? That was the problem in 1892 when plans were being finalized for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. A young engineer who was working in Pittsburgh came up with an idea for a huge rotating wheel that would lift its passengers up into the sky and then revolve to set them back on the ground. It was the first and in many ways the most impressive of the great wheels: the Ferris Wheel.
This segment from INVENTED, ENGINEERED & PIONEERED IN PITTSBURGH was produced by WQED in cooperation with the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania. Production made possible by The Buhl Foundation, Michael Baker Corporation, NOVA Chemicals & United States Steel Corporation.

[@bobesposito7235]

Eli Bridge Co in Jacksonville IL got its start because of Ferris. Its founder was at the Exposition and came back with the idea of making a small wheel. Eli Wheel #1 still stands in front of the factory in very good condition.

[@sisililididi9423]

its very sad People didnt appriciate Ferris' Wheels at that time. Mr. Ferris went bandrupted, and died at such a young age. tragic.

[@JENDALL714]

His wife left him for the guy who invented the Merry Go Round Carousel.

[@daddyoh63]

How was it powered ?

[@malcolmcanning548]

Who built it .

[@brodyadams7969]

Yea