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Show Famous Ferris Wheel, 1893 World's Fair Attraction, Invention of Illinois Man Illinois gave the Ferris wheel to the world. According to information informa-tion obtained by the federal writers' project, WPA, a native son of Gales-burg Gales-burg invented the wheel and directed direct-ed its construction. It is still remembered by thou- work. The foundation, 40 feet deep, was laid in the winter months under serious handicaps. Because of the size of the job and the necessary haste, several steel plants divided the iron work. The pieces were so carefully checked for uniformity that they seemed to be the products of but one company. The giant axle weighed 70 tons. The wheel, 270 feet in diameter, consisted of two huge rims with sub-porting sub-porting spokes. Between these were suspended 36 cars, with seats for 40 persons in each one. As the wheel revolved the cars reached a height of 258 feet, giving the passengers a fine view of the exposition grounds and a thrill to talk about when they returned to their homes. ! sands of persons as a main attraction attrac-tion at the World's Columbian exposition expo-sition at Chicago in 1893. George Washington Gale Ferris was a mem-ber mem-ber of two pioneer families of Gales-burg, Gales-burg, descendants of which now reside re-side in that city. Notwithstanding the opinion of engineers en-gineers who believed the wheel could not be operated even if it were built Ferris found backers for his enterprise. The encouragement given giv-en by officials of steel companies who believed in the feasibility of the wheel was an important factor in carrying out the plan. It is said tha? officials of the fair were mazed both when the wheel d,d operate and when it returned a prof- UAccording to accounts the total cott of the wheel was $300 000. of which $25,000 was spent on planning and $12,000 on the wuouen luie , |