026: The Ferris Wheel: From the Showcase Piece of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair to American Icon

Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we delve into the story behind the creation of the iconic Ferris wheel. Learn how the Ferris wheel gained fame following its debut at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the challenges faced by its creator George Washington Gale Ferris, and the engineering marvels involved in its construction. Despite hurdles like strong winds and questionable stability concerns, the Ferris wheel became a symbol of American ingenuity and a popular attraction at the fair. Discover the historical context, the earlier inventions, and the eventual fate of this towering spectacle. Sources for today's episode include: Devil in The White City by Erik larson. An article titled "We Call It The Ferris WHeel. But is It?" bur Dr. Pam Gianni If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected]. You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast Thank you for listening!