Quite often a person, looking at this or that invention, does not even think about why it looks or is called one way or another. Most modern parks have an attraction that is colloquially referred to as the "ferris wheel", but very few vacationers know why this structure has such an ominous name.
Oddly enough, but the Ferris wheel was designed not just like that, but out of a desire to "catch up and overtake" the famous tower of Gustav Eiffel. J. Ferris, who can rightfully be called the founding father of the Ferris wheel, set himself just such a goal. In many ways, it has been achieved.
The first "ferris wheel", installed in the American town of Chicago at the end of the 19th century, was 75 meters in diameter. More than two thousand people could be accommodated in 36 cabins, and the mechanism itself was set in motion by engines whose total power exceeded two thousand horsepower. The main purpose of this attraction was positioned as an overview of the surroundings and "tickling the nerves" of the noble public.
By the way, one of the versions of the appearance of the name "ferris wheel" refers to this first structure. The thing is that the construction time was extremely tight, so the workers had to work literally at a frantic pace. It was from them that this name went for a walk, which later became generally recognized.
Another version emphasizes that in France the first "ferris wheel" had thirteen booths, hence the connection with the devil's dozen and generally with evil spirits. There is also a purely Russian version. The thing is that in Russian parks at one time, along with the Ferris wheel, there were similar structures that rotated horizontally at a very high speed, so their visitors were literally thrown to the sides. It was these attractions that began to be called the "ferris wheel", and only then this term was transferred to the "vertical fellow".
Today, every country has its own similar design, which all citizens are rightly proud of. In Russia, such a structure is considered to be the "ferris wheel" at VDNKh. Located on a considerable hill, it gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the Russian capital. This building has a rather interesting history: it was replaced several times, becoming larger and more modern. The last Ferris wheel in Moscow to date was installed by V. Gnezdilov. According to the memoirs of the designer, this process was personally controlled by the then mayor Yu. Luzhkov. The building was erected the day before850th anniversary of the city and was a wonderful gift for this holiday.
The "Ferris wheel" in Moscow, as, by the way, Ferris' design, had a diameter of 70 meters, and the maximum height from which the review was carried out was 73 meters. In total, forty booths were located around the perimeter, eight of which were open and gave visitors a truly unforgettable experience. One turn of the wheel took 450 seconds, so everyone had time to enjoy the beauties of Moscow to the fullest.
However, time passed, and in 2012, the "ferris wheel" in Moscow lost its status as the highest in Russia. This happened after the installation of a brand new 80-meter structure in Sochi. At the same time, it was decided that a new wheel would be built at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, the diameter of which would be as much as 200 meters. Such dimensions will allow it to become the largest Ferris wheel in the world.
