The world has a fascination with large, upright wheels that spin us round and round. Ferris Wheels. The first ever being constructed by George Washington Ferris, Jr for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
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| Singapore Flyer |
You might only think of ferris wheels around fall in America, as they are synonymous with carnivals and fairs in the US. But they are everywhere!
The most famous outside of America might be the London Eye, which opened in 2000. At the time it was the world's tallest wheel, at 443 feet. Now it only holds the records for tallest in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
The current world record holder is the Singapore Flyer at 541 feet, completed in 2008. But it won't hold its record much longer. The High Roller in Las Vegas, Nevada is nearly complete and will stand at 550 feet. It should be opening in February of this year.
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| High Roller, Las Vegas |
Oh, but Vegas, don't get too comfy with
your title. Two new wheels are in a waiting race to be started and completed. New York has plans for the New York Wheel on Staten Island at 625 feet (not yet started). And the Dubai Eye, once complete, will snag the record at 689 feet.
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| Dubai Eye Plans |
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| New York Wheel Plans |
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| Turn of Fortune, China |
In its own little word of distinction is the Big O in Tokyo, Japan. As of 2006 it was the world's tallest center-less ferris wheel (197 ft). China has been attempting to overtake the Big O with their own Turn of Fortune since 2009, at 292 ft, but completion has been delayed. Japan keeps the title.
There are lots (and lots) of wheels around the world. And it seems like quite the race to see who can build the tallest. Check out a list of wheels, heights, and records
here (scroll down the page a bit).
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