For the World’s Colombian Exposition, held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893, exposition planner Daniel Burnham wanted a visual landmark that would compare in stature to the grandness and innovation of the Eiffel Tower, built for the Paris Exposition in 1890. He accepted a design from American engineer George Washington Gale Ferris for a steel-framed wheel 76.2 m (250 ft) tall that had 36 cars, each of which could carry up to 60 people. Two 1000-horsepower steam engines turned the wheel in either direction. Ferris sold stock in the project to finance it and earned a profit of more than a million dollars. The wheel eventually was moved to St. Louis, Missouri, for the 1904 World’s Fair.
FERRIS WHEEL. Cabinet
card photograph. 6 1/2" x 4 1/4". Very good, vertical format view of
the Ferris Wheel w/ imprinted title on mount. Also printed on verso is
information regarding the height, weight etc of the famed attraction. Harris,
N.Y. photographer's imprint. Fine condition and clarity. (ET501). $100.
FERRIS WHEEL. Cabinet
card photograph. 6 1/2" x 4 1/4". Horizontal format photo of the
Ferris Wheel., w/ imprinted information on back. J.P. Williams photographer
imprint on verso. Avg cond, somewhat lacking contrast, w/ minor soiling, a light
scratch in sky area left side. (ET503); $65.