JA’VONNE TRAVEL MINUTE

The evolution of the Ferris Wheel has been slow and steady but has proven to be a major attraction throughout time in cities around the world.

In 1893 George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. debuted the first Ferris Wheel at the Worlds’ Fair in Chicago.  It stood at 264 feet, had 36 cars, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs and able to accommodate up to 60 people.

Today while we still call them Ferris Wheels, they have actually evolved into Observation Wheels with the Singapore Flyer in Singapore currently the tallest at 541 feet with 28 air conditioned capsules each carrying 28 passengers.  Singapore has held this title since 2008 but will soon loose it to the 550 feet High Roller in Las Vegas scheduled to open early 2014, which will loose its title to the 689 feet Dubai Eye scheduled to be unveiled in 2015 and coming in a close second the 625 feet New York Wheel scheduled to debut in 2016.

With the long list of future wheels the Ferris Wheel has and will continue to stand the test of time and be a major attraction in cities around the world.

Ja’Vonne