16 July, 2009

The Ferris Wheel at Balboa Fun Zone-Newport Beach, California-Skywatch Friday



The Ferris Wheel was introduced to the world at the World's Colombian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. It was built to rival the Paris creation of the Eiffel Tower, a landmark exhibition in 1889 in France. It is interesting to note that the first Ferris Wheel was built by bridgemaker George Ferris. His knowledge of struts, beams and supports, as well as a skilled mastery of foundation and balance of larger constructions made him the man for the job.


Ferris conceived the idea of the Wheel by looking the a structure of the Merry-go-Round. A popular part of the carnival, it seemed to generate large revenue, with a relatively simple structure. In reponse to the Eiffel Tower, Ferris knew that his invention had to be very large. Ferris concluded that a vertical wheel would make the same splash as a horizontal one, and he set about drawing up plans for a wheel that would make every wheel known to man look small.

The Ferris Wheel cost $380,000.00 to make and stood at 264 feet. After its execution, however, it grossed twice as much in ride sales, making it a very profitable member of the exhibition.

The diameter of the wheel was 250 feet, making it the largest known wheel in American at the time. It also contained an axle of 45 feet, which was unheard of. he Ferris Wheel was powered by 2,000 engine worth of horsepower, and it contained 36 wooden cars that were suspended by iron clamps to the structure of the Wheel and axle.

Each car held 60 passengers. When full, the ferris wheel held 2,160 passengers and stopped on every second revolution to let a new group of people in its cars.It was built by the Detroit Bridge and Iron works, and it ran at .50 cents a ride.

The Wheel weighed 2,079,884 pounds and when carrying the maximum live load of 2,160 passengers a weighing, say, 140 pounds each, the total weight in motion would have been 2,382, 244 pounds or 1,191 tons.

It was transferred to St. Louis for another Exposition in 1904, and after that, the world's first Ferris Wheel was taken down and sold to various metal dealers.


I hope you enjoyed a bit of history of the Ferris Wheel and my photographs of the Ferris Wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Do stop by and visit Skywatch Friday. This meme is hosted by: Klaus Sandy Ivar Wren Fishing Guy Louise who do a fab job. We had over 300 participants last week. Do join in the summer fun!

82 comments:

Frank said...

These shots are so wonderful. I know the Ferris Wheel itself was a big help but you captured it so perfectly. This particular one is terrific. What great colors and designs.

James said...

Wonderful shots and very interesting history.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic shots! And the colors are gorgeous, brilliant against the blue sky! Really enjoyed learning the history of of the wheel, very interesting! Thanks for sharing both!!

Dewdrop said...

Love the ferris wheel history, but the shots are absolutely amazing. Artistically composed!

SandyCarlson said...

I enjoyed that bit of history as well as the wonderful photography. A rival to the Eiffel Tower? I never knew.

Rune Eide said...

Thank you for all the info. and the colourful pictures! Ferris wheels can be fun. If you ever come to Europe, you should visit The London Eye.

Ebie said...

These are cool shots. Very detailed. I don't know if I will ride the ferris wheel.
P.S. Yes Mr. Riordan the former Mayor owns it now, that's why his name has been added there. Whenever you come back, let me know so I can tell you where to go.

Gaelyn said...

What an awesome way to see the sky. Such a colorful Ferris Wheel. They are so fun to ride. Very informative.

Have a great weekend Erin.

Carver said...

This was a fascinating post. Such interesting information and gorgeous shots. Looks like the perfect day to be on a ferris wheel.

Bim said...

Enjoyed the post and the photos are great!

Reader Wil said...

Interesting, Brenda!Your photos are very impressive and colourful. The Eye of London built in 1999 was in the beginning of 2000 the biggest Ferris Wheel in the world. It was made in The Netherlands, and my daughter Thyme( also on blogspot) was one of the draftsmen who drew the design. It was designed by a British couple.See my post of 23-06-09.

VALKYRIEN said...

Gorgeous photos! They are so colorful they make me happy! Wonderful blue sky - and I love the Ferris Wheel! I wouldn't dare to sit in it though....:)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Erin: Neat shot of the colorful wheel in the sky.

earthtoholly said...

Howdy, Erin...

Wow. I love these photos...such beautiful color and composition. Not even sure what correct composition is, but I think you've got it. Really gorgeous stuff!

Have a nice weekend! :o)

earthtoholly said...

...excellent commentary, too! :o)

Nikki Dee said...

So colourful and also informative!! Wonderful!

Please stop by My Skywatch

Anonymous said...

Thanks, I did enjoy reading (and looking at the photos) about Ferris Wheels. I can't imagine one that large.

miss marple said...

Great photos!Makes me happy:)))Have a fun weekend...

Luiz Ramos said...

Beautiful shots. Thanks for report.

Petunia said...

A interesting story and very, very nice shots:)

Petunia from Norway

Eric (SWF Holland) said...

Wow, nice pictures here, love the contrast of the ride with the blue sky!!

Well done!!

Have a nice SWF

Greatings from NL

Tara R. said...

Fabulous shots! These bring back some fun childhood memories.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Wow! I had no idea that the first ferris wheel was so big and that the history was so interesting.
Your photos are so beautiful!

~Lisa

ninja said...

We call it the Devil's Mill. Don't know why.

Pearl Maple said...

Fun and colorful photos to celebrate sky watch friday, all the more interesting to learn more about the history of the area. Thanks for sharing.

Adrienne Zwart said...

Wow! I love the vivid colors! Thanks for sharing the history of the Ferris wheel.

Leora said...

Love your history of the Ferris wheel. I had no idea there was actually someone named Ferris! And I love that it was an American ingenuity response to the Eiffel Tower. The colors of this one are just wonderful.

ItaJeff said...

Those shots are so beautiful. I love the bright blue skies.
Happy skywatching

Photo Cache said...

Oh I love this colorful presentation. Happy weekend.

Dagrun said...

Brilliant idea for a SWF shot! Great colours against the sky and thank you also for all the information :)!

Unknown said...

Interesting history of the Ferris wheel...

Very cool captures ... I really like the desighns on this wheel..

Sally in WA said...

Great shots, Erin. They are so colorful and those seats just pop against the bright blue sky.

Unknown said...

Perfect picture of funfare.you captured its wonderfully:)
I remember that you visited my blog asking about the taste of Durian fruits..well,its so difficult to explain..but anyway let me try..
# some say bitter but not bitter.
# sweet,milky but yammy,yummy so soft..not as sweet as sugar.
Have a nice day.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great vividly colored photographs, and a history lesson, perfect. Thanks.

Barbara said...

Love the bright colors against the blue sky. Have a great weekend. Barbara

irene said...

Gorgeous pictures of the ferris wheel. Thanks Erin.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful and fantastic photos. I would love to have a ride!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Such lovely, cheerful shots. The bright colours of the cars against that gorgeous blue sky are wonderful! Interesting history too.
Janice.

L. Neusiedler said...

wonderful shots! those chairs look like candies :)!

FO - 2 said...

Fantastic series!!!
Love it!!! :)))

Happy weekend! :)

Annie said...

I did enjoy your history and amazing photos once again..thank you!

And thank you for visitng my skies also!

Regina said...

Nice skies.
Breathtaking!

Regina

penny said...

Your Ferris Wheel photos and history make for a wonderful Skywatch post. Thanks for sharing...

Carolyn said...

Oh, how cute!

Bradley Hsi said...

You shots of the Balboa Ferris Wheel are so colorful. Thanks for the information of Ferris Wheel, now I finally know the history of the structure and its invention.

Bradley Hsi said...

You shots of the Balboa Ferris Wheel are so colorful. Thanks for the information of Ferris Wheel, now I finally know the history of the structure and its invention.

Huzhar said...

Beautiful and colorful ferris wheel. You captured them well.. Thanks for the info and thanks for visiting my blog..

Jan K. said...

Beautiful shots, Erin.
Thanks for all the information about the Ferris Wheel. I like to see it, but I wouldn't like to sit in it with my high anxiety.
Enjoy your weekend!

Gennasus said...

Beautiful colourful photos. That sky is a wonderful blue.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a great post! Thanks for visitng My Muskoka, too!

Barb said...

Erin - WOW! Those colorful cars against the blue sky - magnificent. The art work on the Ferris Wheel plus your compositions are - well, may I say "breathtaking..."

Anonymous said...

Wonderful captures! The ferris wheel really stands out against the sky and clouds. The history of the wheel is very interesting.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Wow! Great photos! What an interesting history!

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog!

nonizamboni said...

'Entertaining' post and your photos are stunning. Who doesn't love the sight of a Ferris wheel?
Very nicely done--thanks for sharing.

EG CameraGirl said...

The photos of this wheel are so bright and festive!

Maalie said...

That looks fun!

Light and Voices said...

Simply marvelous shots of the ferris wheel and blue sky.
Joyce

Gill - That British Woman said...

what lovley photos, it's the stunning colours that catches your eye.

Gill in Canada

srp said...

These are so colorful... great shots and beautiful skies behind them! We finally got some rain this afternoon... thank goodness.

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful history and fantastic shots. Nothing more fun to get to the top and see those magnificent views while you're waiting for each person to get on and oh what a ride afterwards. I love Ferris Wheels, would love to ride this colorful one. It is beautiful!

Sara Chapman said...

This is one great post. And suitable for Color Carnival meme, for sure! Love the history, and wish I could ride that Ferris Wheel myself.

Louise said...

What absolutely beautiful colors. This is a terrific series of photos!

chrome3d said...

I did enjoy the history lesson too! Nevr knew all that. Ferris wheels look so great against the blue skies and you have definitely made the most out of that.

Linda said...

Great fun! I've visited Newport Beach, but somehow missed this...it seems a bit too large to miss.

Louise said...

The colour in your photos is fabulous. I haven't been on a ferris wheel for too many years to mention! x

a quiet life said...

i love your pics...

Hildegarde said...

You process your photos is a great way, I like that very much. Fabulous colors for the wheel (but I would never dare to go in it :-)) Have a great week !

Janie said...

Wow, that's fascinating info about the Ferris Wheel. I guess I never thought about who invented it, or when. Beautiful, colorful photos, too.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous pctures, they show the delicacy of the structure as well as it's strength and the colours, against that fabulously blue sky, entrancing.

Well worth a mention on authorblogs POTD

Brian Miller said...

great pics. love all teh color and the care you took in the perspectives. congrats on the POTD mention.

Daryl said...

Congrats on the POTD mention .. fabulous pix .. I have a lot to catch up on ..

Cheffie-Mom said...

Amazing photos! Congrats on the Post of the Day Award!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I've ridden that Ferris wheel many times and never knew the history. History always adds to the fun. Thanks.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Wonderful! Here from David's! Great job! Beautiful shots and history.

Wolynski said...

Love those shots of the Ferris wheel - really gorgeous.

Tone said...

the colors are gorgeous!

Danton said...

Just reminded me we have one too, here in LB.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Wow, look at that! Your photos are awesome, but you wouldn't get me on that thing! I can't be up that high and not stationary.

Thanks for being my first SkyWatch commenter. I like your new header, too.

Russ said...

Great post - interesting info, and wonderful photos. Your images have a very evocative look to them.

Martha said...

Great shots. The colors are so vibrant. I like ferris wheels one ride that does not make me ill!

Baron's Life said...

I have never seen anything so beautiful...thanks for the story as well.
keep well

Unknown said...

Your excellent guidelines will be of great help to many. Nice post. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks!


Wheels Florida