IN A WORLD WITHOUT CASTINGS


Would the Chicago World’s Fair Have Left a Lasting Impression?


1893, Chicago, Illinois


George Ferris designs and constructs the Ferris wheel for the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Te giant “Chicago Wheel” includes two 16-ft. diameter cast-iron spiders weighing 53,031 lbs. Te spiders hang 1.5-ft. from each end of the 89,320-lb. axle. Inspired by the childhood memory of a water wheel carrying children, Ferris presented his proposal for the wheel to fair organizers that eventually chose his design. Te Ferris wheel was intended to rival the awe and spectacle of the Eiffel Tower presented at the 1889 Paris Exposition. A 1,000 horsepower engine was required to revolve the wheel which had a capacity of 2,160 passengers, carrying 38,000 passengers daily. At $0.50 cents a ride, the wheel insured the prosperity of the fair.


16 | MODERN CASTING April 2012


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