1893: World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Chicago, Illinois. The center of the Midway Plaisance at dusk. The world's first Ferris Wheel, built for the Exposition by Pittsburgh bridge builder, George W. Ferris, stood 264 feet high, had 36 wooden cars holding 60 people each who could ride for 2 revolutions at a cost of 50 cents. The popular, profitable Midway, a self contained entertainment district kept the Exposition solvent. A color illustration published c. 1893. (Photo by Stock Montage/Stock Montage/Getty Images)
