The Chicago World’s Fair, officially known as the World’s Columbian Exposition, opened on May 1, 1893 and continued until October 30, 1893. The showcase attraction at the fair was the world’s first Ferris Wheel by engineer George Ferris.
Did you you?
The first Ferris Wheel consisted of 36 cars – EACH the size of a bus and accommodated up to 40 passengers per car – for a total of 2160 passengers
Over 1.5 million people rode the first Ferris Wheel during the Chicago World’s Fair
The cost of a ride was $.50
At it’s peak, passengers were lifted to a height of 264 feet
Each ride lasted 10 minutes and the wheel completed two complete circuits
