Post by B on Sept 21, 2022 12:20:13 GMT -5
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"Earl's Court Wheel - London
From the year 1895 to 1907, this enormous Ferris Wheel was a famous sight in Earl's Court.
The Great Wheel was built for the Empire of India Exhibition at Earls Court, London, in the United Kingdom.
Construction began in March 1894 at the works of Maudslay, Sons and Field in Greenwich and it opened to the public on 17 July 1895.
Modelled on the original Ferris Wheel which featured at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, US, it was 94 metres (308 ft) tall and 82.3 metres (270 ft) in diameter.
It stayed in service until 1906, by which time its 40 cars (each with a capacity of 40 persons) had carried over 2.5 million passengers. It was demolished in 1907 following its last use
at the Imperial Austrian Exhibition
The 'Great Wheel' was initially built as part of the Empire of India exhibition, though it physically and metaphorically overshadowed any exhibits. At 94 metres tall, the Earls' Court wheel
was the largest in the world when first constructed, and the tallest structure in London, other than St Paul's.
A trip on the wheel would take about 20 minutes and cost sixpence. Its 40 cars, weighing four tons apiece, could each carry 40 people, giving it a theoretical capacity of 1,600.
Aside from human passengers, the wheel was also a favourite roost for London's feathered population.
Earlier plans would have seen additional restaurants on elevated platforms.
Things didn't always run smoothly. Shortly after opening, a drive cable snapped, trapping passengers for several hours.
A more serious incident occurred the following year, when 60-70 people were stranded overnight.
The passengers dropped notes 'in pocket handkerchiefs, cigarette cases, pieces of paper and innumerable ways to be telegraphed to their friends'.
After passengers were rescued they were treated to hot soup and each given ten shillings compensation.
The steam-powered structure was a true wonder of the age, and Britain's answer to the Eiffel Tower. It was designed by Walter Basset, who drew inspiration from Chicago's original Ferris wheel
of 1893. It was constructed in 1894-5 under the auspices of the magnificently titled Gigantic Wheel and Recreation Towers Company, using parts fabricated in Greenwich, and at a cost of £16,000.
By the turn of the century, the novelty began to wear off and the wheel slipped into unprofitability. It was demolished in 1907 after carrying an estimated 2.5 million passengers."