"Ferris wheel": entertainment with benefit

Quite often a person, looking at this or that invention, does not even think about why it looks or is called one way or another. In most modern parks there is an attraction, which in the common people is called the "ferris wheel", but very few vacationers know why this design has such an ominous name.

Strange as it may seem, the "ferris wheel" was designed not just for that, but because of the desire to "catch up and overtake" the famous tower of Gustav Eiffel. J. Ferris, who can rightly be called the founding father of the Ferris wheel, set himself such a goal. In many ways it was achieved.

The first "ferris wheel", installed in the American city of Chicago in the late XIX century, was a diameter of 75 meters. In 36 cabins could accommodate more than two thousand people, and the mechanism was driven by engines, the total capacity of which exceeded two thousand horsepower. The main goal of this attraction was to look at the surroundings and "tickle the nerves" of a noble audience.

By the way, one of the versions of the appearance of the name "ferris wheel" belongs to this first construction. The thing is that the construction time was extremely tight, so the workers had to work literally at a frantic pace. It was from them that this name began to walk, which later became generally recognized.

Another version emphasizes the fact that in France the first "ferris wheel" had thirteen cabins, hence the connection with the devil's dozen and in general with the evil spirit. There is also a purely Russian version. The thing is that in Russian parks, in their time, along with the Ferris wheel, there were similar designs that rotated horizontally at a very high speed, so their visitors literally threw them to the sides. It was these attractions that became known as the "ferris wheel", and only later this term passed to the "vertical brother".

Today, each country has its own similar structure, which all citizens are rightfully proud of. In Russia, such a structure is considered a "ferris wheel" at VDNH. Located on a significant hill, it gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the Russian capital. This building has an interesting history: it was replaced several times, becoming more and more modern. The last Ferris wheel in Moscow was established by V. Gnezdilov. According to the recollections of the designer, this process was personally controlled by the then mayor, Yu. Luzhkov. The building was erected on the eve of the 850th anniversary of the city and became a wonderful gift for this holiday.

"Ferris wheel" in Moscow, as, by the way, the design of Ferris, had a diameter of 70 meters, and the maximum height from which the survey was carried out, was 73 meters. Altogether there were forty booths around the perimeter, eight of which were open and gave visitors a truly unforgettable experience. One turn of the wheel was carried out for 450 seconds, so that everyone could enjoy the beauties of Moscow in full.

However, the time was passing, and in 2012 the "ferris wheel" in Moscow lost its status as the highest in Russia. This happened after the installation in Sochi of a new 80-meter construction. Then it was decided that a new wheel will be built at the All-Russia Exhibition Center, the diameter of which will be as much as 200 meters. Such dimensions will allow it to become the largest Ferris wheel in the world.