A Brief History of the Ferris Wheel and How It Sparked America’s Imagination
What is the enchantment of a Ferris Wheel? Do we anticipate lift-off, defying gravity in a smooth ascent? The view? The thrill of the ride itself?
Amusement wheels of simple design dated back to 1620 in Europe. Their popularity spread across countries and continents, delighting crowds at 19th century American agricultural fairs.
But in America, the age of technology and invention proved an invincible force. By 1849, the New York State Fair unveiled a 50’ wheel of oak and iron…and the sky was literally the limit!
Join us, as Dorothy Bedford Board President, Schuylkill River Heritage Center presents the history of this fascinating technology.
Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 PM
This event will be located at The Foundry, 2 Main Street, Phoenixville
SRHC members – free | Non-members – $5
Space is limited, registration encouraged at
https://givebutter.com/srhc-speaker-series-upjdpu
Early American Wheel image, not verifiable that this is actually the 1848 Syracuse Wheel, first 50’ wheel, made of oak and iron. Image credit: This drawing of the “first big wheel-type ride” appeared in the Aug. 23, 1990 edition of the Post-Standard (Syracuse)
Mr Ferris’s wheel at the Colombian Exposition, 1893. Image credit: University of Illinois (Urbana-Champagne) Archives
The Asbury Park Wheel, 1978. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by John Margolies
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