History of the Ferris Wheel Patent

The Ferris wheel was invented by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. in 1893. He was an engineer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who wanted to create a structure that could rival the Eiffel Tower.

The wheel was designed to be a centerpiece for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois. It was an immediate success and became a popular attraction for fairs and amusement parks. 

 

The original Ferris wheel was 264 feet tall and had 36 cars that could hold up to 60 people each. It took 20 minutes to complete one rotation. The wheel was powered by two 1,000 horsepower steam engines and was the largest wheel in the world at the time.

The London Eye is one of the most recognizable ferris wheels in the world. It was designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield and was completed in 1999. It is the tallest ferris wheel in Europe and stands at a height of 135 meters (443 feet). The wheel has 32 capsules, each of which can hold up to 25 people and provide spectacular views of the city.

The Star of Nanchang, completed in 2006, is located in China and is the world's tallest ferris wheel. It stands at a height of 160 meters (525 feet) and has 60 capsules that can hold up to 8 people each. The wheel was completed in 2006 and has become a popular tourist attraction in the city. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows and is considered a symbol of the city's modern development.

In 1920, not long after Gale Ferris created the first ferris wheel, Charles Hermann filed a patent for a wheel design. His design allowed the passenger carriages to move in an intentionally irregular path, making the ride reminiscent of a roller coaster. Hermann’s patent was credited to Eccentric Ferris Wheel Amusement and is believed to have expired in 1937.

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