ClassX Video Lessons Invention Of Ferris Wheel | Best Educational Videos for Kids | Preschool Learning
The Ferris Wheel is a super fun ride that lets you see amazing views from way up high. But have you ever wondered where it all started? Let’s explore the exciting story of how this famous ride came to be!
Back in the late 1800s, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was the talk of the town. It was a huge engineering wonder! Meanwhile, in Chicago, people were getting ready for a big event called the World’s Fair. Daniel Burnham, an architect, wanted to create something even cooler than the Eiffel Tower. He asked for ideas from smart architects and engineers.
One of these engineers was George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a 33-year-old from Illinois. While others had ordinary ideas, Ferris had a wild idea: a giant spinning wheel, like a huge bicycle wheel, that would let people see the city from way up high!
At first, Burnham thought Ferris’s idea was too risky and wouldn’t work. But Ferris didn’t give up. He convinced people to give him $400,000 to build the Ferris Wheel.
Building the Ferris Wheel was a big job. Parts were made in different cities and brought to Chicago. They built a strong foundation and two tall towers to hold the giant wheel, which was placed on a 45-ton axle. They made sure it was safe with beams, spokes, iron rods, and a steam engine to make it spin.
When it was finished, the Ferris Wheel was an amazing 264 feet tall! It had 36 passenger cars and could hold over 2,000 people at once. The first ride was a huge event with Ferris, his wife, and the city’s mayor, plus a band playing music. Everyone loved it! In just 19 weeks, over one million people came to ride it.
The Ferris Wheel became famous all over the world, and many copies were made. Sadly, Ferris had some legal troubles and lost a lot of money. He passed away in 1896 at just 37 years old, but his amazing invention is still loved today.
The Ferris Wheel changed amusement rides forever and showed how creative and determined people can be. Next time you hop on a Ferris Wheel, remember the incredible journey that made it possible!
Build Your Own Mini Ferris Wheel: Gather some simple materials like cardboard, straws, and paper cups to create a mini Ferris Wheel model. Use a pencil as the axle and see if you can make it spin! Think about how George Ferris might have felt when he saw his idea come to life. What challenges do you face while building your model, and how do you overcome them?
Math Fun with Ferris Wheels: Imagine you are an engineer like George Ferris. If each passenger car on the original Ferris Wheel could hold 60 people, how many people could ride at once if only half the cars were filled? Use the equation $$text{Total People} = frac{36}{2} times 60$$ to find the answer. Discuss with a friend how engineers use math to solve real-world problems.
Observation and Reflection: Next time you visit a park or fair, observe a Ferris Wheel closely. Notice how it moves and how people get on and off. Write a short story or draw a picture about what it would be like to ride the very first Ferris Wheel in 1893. How do you think people felt seeing the city from such a height for the first time?
