First Ferris Wheel 1893

First Ferris wheel showed at the Worlds Fair in Chicago IL in 1893. A bridge builder named George Ferris invented the Ferris wheel. Other things that made their first showing at that fair were Cracker Jacks, Juicy Fruit gum, a type of moving picture show, neon lights, Alternating Current AC/DC by Westinghouse which was used to light up the fair. That was the first time electric lights were used for that purpose. The term "Midway" for the Amusement section of the fair was first used at this Colombian Exposition. Oh and hamburgers made their debut there as well. The fair area itself was nick named "White City" likely because of all the lights that lit it up everywhere plus most of the buildings were white. These are only a small few things that were first introduced at the Worlds fair in 1893. I also added the little picture of my grandmother, Great Aunt again since the photo was taken the year of the fair, and the Ferris wheel was invented. The big wheel was later and moved to St. Louis for their worlds fair in 1904. It was there that my Grandmother and her sister Lillian first took a ride on this big wheel. It was 264 feet tall or a little over 26 stories high it was the biggest Ferris wheel for years, it had 36 cars and would hold 2160 people. In 1893 it cost 380,000 American dollars. Imagine what that would be today.. a lot of money for sure add about 3 more zeros and that would come close to it. So many things we use today including Quaker oats, Cream of wheat, Rag time music.. plus what I mentioned above and shown in the Blingee came into being at this great fair plus a host of other things.

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Ferris Wheel Joyful226 Worlds Fair victorian vintage

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