The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago had many spectacular attractions, but none held more wonder than the Ferris Wheel, designed by George Ferris, a bridge engineer from Pittsburgh. Ferris traveled to Chicago in 1892 to help brainstorm about what could be built to eclipse the memorable Eiffel Tower from the Paris Exposition of 1889. It was said that Ferris, while having dinner at a "chop house" in Chicago drew up plans for his enormous wheel-ride, down to the finest details, in just twenty minutes. This replica of the Ferris Wheel was created by students at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2008 at a scale of 1 inch = 48 feet.

Heinz History Center
Pittsburgh, PA

07.21.26