Ferris wheels have always been associated with childhood; it’s no surprise how loved they are around the world, as people who aren’t afraid of heights get to see the horizon of the world around them.
Ferris wheels, however, are a most recent invention over the past 200 years. That’s why National Ferris Wheel Day exists!
National Ferris Wheel Day is all about teaching people the history and cultural significance of this magnificent machine.
National Ferris Wheel Day Timeline
Early “Pleasure Wheels” Described
European travelers record large hand-turned wooden “pleasure wheels” carrying riders in the Ottoman Empire, foreshadowing the basic Ferris wheel concept.
William Somers’ Wooden Roundabouts
American carpenter William Somers builds 50‑foot wooden “roundabouts” at Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Coney Island, popularizing large circular amusement rides in the U.S.
Debut of the Original Chicago Ferris Wheel
George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.’s 264‑foot steel wheel opens at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, establishing the modern Ferris wheel as an engineering and entertainment landmark.
Demolition of the First Ferris Wheel
After being moved from Chicago to St. Louis for the 1904 World’s Fair, the original Ferris wheel is demolished with dynamite, ending the life of the prototype that defined the ride.
Vienna’s Riesenrad Opens
The 64.75‑meter Riesenrad is erected in Vienna’s Prater, becoming one of the world’s earliest and longest‑operating giant Ferris wheels and a lasting city symbol.
London Eye Launches a New Era of Observation Wheels
The 135‑meter London Eye begins turning on the Thames, reimagining the Ferris wheel as a slow‑rotating observation wheel and global urban icon.
High Roller Becomes World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel
Las Vegas unveils the 167.6‑meter High Roller, briefly taking the record for tallest Ferris wheel and showcasing the continuing race to build ever‑larger observation wheels.
How to Celebrate National Ferris Wheel Day
Take a Ride on a Ferris Wheel
Head to your closest fairground, theme park, or showground and go straight to the Ferris wheel for some awesome fun! Bring your friends, family or lover with you when you go, and make it a date.
The theme parks that have been built over the years are truly incredible. If you plan ahead of time, you can make sure that National Ferris Wheel Day is one to remember by visiting one of the most thrilling theme parks in your area.
Not only will you be able to go on a Ferris Wheel but there will be plenty of other rides for you to enjoy as well, from roller coasters to dark rides and themed experiences. There is something for everyone!
Learn About Ferris Wheels
Take some time to learn about the ingenuity involved with inventing the Ferris wheel, and look up all the most well-known Ferris wheels from around the world. Host a party and make the theme all about Ferris wheels.
You can also take some time to learn about the different facts associated with Ferris Wheels. If you take a look online, you will see that there are some really interesting facts, like these:
Did you know that the largest Ferris wheel in the world is found in Las Vegas? It is called the High Roller and it is 550 feet tall! You can also look up some of the more classic Ferris Wheels.
The Wonder Wheel of Coney Island, New York, is a Ferris wheel that has been standing for over 100 years and it was constructed by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company.
The dismantled part of the Ferris wheel were actually made into good use during World War I, as the scraps were used to make battleships, specifically the U.S.S. Illinois.
Canada’s Niagara Skywheel, which enables you to look over the Niagara Falls, is breathtaking!
Start Collecting Ferris Wheels
If you’re an avid collector, start collecting antiques associated with Ferris wheels and help share your love of Ferris wheels with your friends. Make it a point to check out local antique stores or scour online sources to find Ferris Wheels and then show them off.
Learn About National Ferris Wheel Day
National Ferris Wheel Day has been designed to honor George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr, who is, of course, the inventor of the Ferris Wheel!
We’re sure that most people reading this have fond memories of going on a Ferris Wheel, whether at a theme park or at a tourist attraction.
Ferris Wheels are a lot of fun, coming in different sizes and enabling us to see for miles and miles! You may have even had your first kiss on a Ferris Wheel!
Since the Ferris Wheel has been invented, there have been some incredible Ferris Wheels built around the world, like the London Eye. Another famous Ferris Wheel is the Tianjin Eye Ferris Wheel in Tianjin, China. What makes this Ferris Wheel so spectacular is the fact that is erected over a bridge that spans the Hair River.
There are so many incredible Ferris Wheels, so we definitely recommend doing a bit of digging online on this day. You could even make a bucket list of Ferris Wheels that you would like to visit!
History of National Ferris Wheel Day
Of course, the day has been chosen because it is the same date as the birthday of the inventor, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. A civil engineer, born in Galesburg, Illinois, George is known for the Ferris wheel concept and the original Chicago Ferris Wheel.
He lived a short life, dying at the young age of 37-years-old, shortly after the death of his father. Both died of typhoid fever.
Despite having a short life, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. certainly achieved a lot, and you will find a lot of interesting reads about his achievements.George Washington Gale Ferris invented the Ferris wheel in 1893 when at age 33, he introduced his invention to the World’s Columbian Exposition.
This exhibition was also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, where people at the time were celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the New World. When people saw it for the first time, they immediately saw it as the United States’ version of the Eiffel Tower.
Ferris’s creation stood at an enormous 260 feet high, with 36 cars encased with glass and locked doors, and weighed in at a total 26,000 pounds. After the exhibition, the Ferris wheel ran from June until October 1863. It wasn’t until 1894 that the Ferris wheel got taken down completely.
Now, Ferris wheels are everywhere, from carnivals, festivals, and can be seen at any kind of celebration.
This holiday honors his birthday as well as his invention. People celebrate this holiday by taking the time to ride the Ferris wheel and feel the wonder and excitement that comes from it.
Some make it a lover’s date, as it is the perfect place to gain some intimacy. Others come with their friends and family to take part in the event and some just take the time to learn about the different kinds of Ferris wheels around the world, which is fun in its own right.
