When is National Ferris Wheel Day?
Tuesday February 14thThe annual observance of National Ferris Wheel Day is February 14th. George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., Jr., the man who invented the Ferris Wheel, is the holiday. Gale Ferris, Jr., Jr., is the man who invented the Ferris Wheel. Jr.
Preparations for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition began in earnest in 1891. Daniel H. Burnham, the fair's Director of works, set out the challenge: create a centerpiece to the show that would rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower, which had been constructed the year before, became a world attraction. Ideas were tossed about, plans were presented, and plans were rejected.
Gale Ferris, a Washington, Washington, was inspired by George Washington Gale Ferris' inspiration. He considered several options, but he didn't know he'd been considering multiple options until one evening in a Chicago chophouse that he hit on a challenge that might not have been accepted. He started planning after sketching out the idea on napkins.
Burnham balked when told of the theory, fearing that it could safely carry people to such heights. Ferris persisted. He invested $25,000 of his own money, hired engineers, designed the 250-foot diameter wheel, and hoisted it up between 140-foot twin towers, earning $600,000 more from investors, hired engineers, built the 250-foot diameter wheel, and hoisted it up between 140-foot twin towers.
