In 1893, George W. Ferris created the world's first Ferris wheel for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, standing at 80.4 meters tall to rival the Eiffel Tower. Equipped with 36 seats, it became a popular local attraction shortly after.
However, just a few months after the fair, the world's first Ferris wheel was shut down in April 1894. This marked the beginning of a race to build the world's largest Ferris wheel.
The Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel in Vienna, Austria, is the oldest surviving Ferris wheel today and remains one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions. In over 100 years of development, the height of Ferris wheels has increased from 80 meters to 250 meters today, and from being a European novelty to being found around the world.
Let's take a look at the world's tallest Ferris wheels!
1. Melbourne Star, Melbourne, Australia
Located in the Docklands area of Melbourne, Australia, the Melbourne Star stands 120 meters tall, the same height as the Tianjin Ferris wheel. The wheel has seven spokes that resemble the seven-pointed star on the Australian flag.
Initially, the Giant Wheel opened in December 2008, two years after its planned launch date. It had to be closed for almost five years due to structural flaws before reopening in December 2013. The Melbourne Star is the largest Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere, taking 30 minutes to complete one rotation, and offering a clear, uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view for up to 40 kilometers.
2. The Eye of Orlando, Florida, USA
Also known as the "Orlando Eye," the Ferris wheel at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, USA stands 122 meters tall and is the first observation wheel designed with ski lift cabins.
The Orlando Eye was supposed to open in the summer of 2014, but it faced several delays and did not open until May 2015. However, in the months following the opening, a technical glitch stranded 66 riders for about three hours. After a change of ownership in 2016, more interesting cabins were added to the Orlando Eye.
3. London Eye, London, England
One of London's most iconic landmarks, the London Eye is also one of the city's most popular paid tourist attractions. Standing at 135 meters tall and 120 meters in diameter, it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel when it opened in 2000, though it has since been surpassed by larger ones. Nonetheless, its operator still touts it as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel".
Initially expected to operate for just around five years, the operator of the London Eye later sought and received approval from the Council for it to remain permanently. The wheel doesn’t halt for boarding or alighting passengers, yet it rotates slowly enough over its 30-minute cycle to enable people on the ground to embark and disembark smoothly.
4. Singapore Flyer, Singapore
Situated in the heart of Singapore's cityscape, the Singapore Flyer is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Though it is no longer the largest Ferris wheel in the world, it remains the largest in Asia. It opened to the public in March 2008 and features 28 air-conditioned cabins, each capable of holding 28 passengers.
5. High Roller, Las Vegas, USA
Located in Las Vegas, the High Roller Ferris Wheel stands 167.6 meters tall and 158.5 meters in diameter, making it the world's second-largest Ferris wheel. It welcomed its first passengers in March 2014, with 28 passenger cabins eventually installed, each capable of holding up to 40 people. The wheel rotates on a pair of custom-designed spherical bearings, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding valley during its 30-minute ride.
