National Ferris Wheel Day

History of National Ferris Wheel Day

While February 14 is more famous for being Valentine’s Day, it also doubles as the annual observance of National Ferris Wheel Day. George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., the inventor of the Ferris wheel, was born on February 14.

Ferris, a civil engineer, born 1859, in Galesburg, Illinois, introduced the world to the concept of the Ferris wheel and designed the original Chicago Ferris Wheel. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, in 1881.

Ferris constructed his prototype as a landmark for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, as the United States’ version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Originally called “the Chicago Wheel,” it took Ferris two years to plan and construct. Costing about $700,000 in 1893 and containing over 100,000 parts, Ferris’ massive wheel stood at an enormous 264 feet high, towering about 26 stories above Chicago. It had 36 gondolas (cars housed within glass and locked doors) and accommodated up to 60 (40 seated, 20 standing) passengers. Over 1.4 million people paid 50 cents for a 20-minute ride on the wheel through the next 19 weeks of the World’s Columbian Exposition.

After the exhibition, the Ferris wheel was moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and destroyed there on May 11, 1906, with dynamite for scrap metal. Some dismantled parts of Ferris’ original design were used to make the U.S.S. Illinois, a World War I battleship, and to construct a bridge over the Kankakee River, south of Chicago. Although Ferris lived a short life – dying at the age of 37 due to typhoid fever – his invention lives on, enjoyed by fun lovers around the world. Now, you could find Ferris wheels everywhere: in tourist parks, festivals, carnivals, and different kinds of celebrations.

National Ferris Wheel Day timeline

1859

An Inventor is Born

George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a civil engineer and inventor, is born on February 14 in Galesburg, Illinois.

1881

Ferris Graduates from Rensselaer

George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.

1893

A Massive Invention

Ferris unveils his invention — the colossal circular wheel standing at over 260 feet tall powered by two steam engines — at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

2014

The World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel

High Roller, a 550-foot tall Ferris wheel, opens to the public on March 31 in Las Vegas.

National Ferris Wheel Day FAQs

When is National Ferris Wheel Day?

In 2027, National Ferris Wheel Day is observed on Sunday, February 14, providing another excellent weekend for families and couples to celebrate. Look for local attractions to highlight their wheels throughout the day.

How tall is the world's largest Ferris wheel?

While new observation wheels are always being planned, the High Roller in Las Vegas continues to hold the record as the tallest, soaring 550 feet above the city. It remains a must-see attraction for visitors.

How many people ride Ferris wheels each year?

The enduring popularity of Ferris wheels means they continue to draw massive crowds. These iconic rides are a staple at countless events, contributing significantly to the hundreds of millions of annual visitors to amusement and theme parks worldwide.

What is the history of the Ferris wheel?

The concept of a rotating observation wheel dates back centuries, but the modern Ferris wheel was revolutionized by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. His engineering marvel at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair introduced the large-scale, passenger-carrying wheel we recognize today.

National Ferris Wheel Day Activities

Ride one

If you live close enough to a Ferris wheel, this is just the perfect day to go out for a ride on one — especially if you’ve never been in a while. You could plan a lover’s date and use the opportunity to gain some intimacy or spend some great time with your friends and family. You’ll feel like a child again basking in the euphoria of the fun and excitement that come from the ride.

Read about the history

The design and development of the Ferris wheel make for quite an interesting history. You could spend time reading it up, taking time to understand the determination and dream Ferris had in a bid to entertain the world.

Eat a snack or two

Since Ferris wheels are usually found in theme parks, you could also use the opportunity to gobble up some carnival snacks. Think popsicles, buttered popcorn, corn dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cakes. Watch it though, none of these foods are healthy.

5 Fun Facts About The Ferris Wheel

A ride for 50 cents

The admission price to the original Ferris wheel was 50 cents.

Four times shorter

Although the original Ferris wheel was intended to rival the 1,063 feet Eiffel Tower in Paris, it was 264 feet high but four times shorter.

$25,000 for safety research

Fair officials believed Ferris’ 26-story tall ride would be too dangerous, so he spent $25,000 out of his pocket to pay for safety studies.

Sketches on a napkin

Ferris initially sketched out plans for his wheel on napkins at a Chicago restaurant, before he properly developed his concepts in actual blueprints.

1.5 million passengers

At the end of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, it was estimated that 1.5 million people had been on the first Ferris wheel.

Why We Love National Ferris Wheel Day

Celebrating ingenuity

National Ferris Wheel Day encourages awareness about the importance and history of the amazing machine. While Ferris was discouraged by fair officials over the safety concerns of his proposed design, he persisted and funded the safety research by himself.

Nostalgic memories

Ferris wheels are often associated with childhood. Most of the people you’ll find on it are kids. You may remember that you were on one as a child too, and reminisce about how breathtaking the adventure was.

The perfect excuse to ride

For everyone who's been too shy or busy to get on a Ferris wheel in recent times, National Ferris Wheel Day is a perfect opportunity to go on a groovy ride on one. It also serves as a great way to spend the coinciding Valentine’s Day with a date — if they’re up for it!