Ferris wheel#Double and triple wheels

The term Ferris wheel comes from the maker of one of the first examples constructed for Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. in 1893.

Modern versions have been called observation wheels.[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588652/Ferris_Wheel.html MSN Encarta – Ferris Wheel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822013051/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761588652/Ferris_Wheel.html |date=August 22, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/ferris.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030302045005/http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/ferris.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2003|title=Lemelson-MIT Program|website=web.mit.edu|access-date=October 4, 2018}} In 1892, when the incorporation papers for the Ferris Wheel Company (constructors of the original 1893 Chicago Ferris Wheel) were filed, the purpose of the company was stated as: [construction and operation of] "wheels of the Ferris or other types for the purpose of observation or amusement".

Design variations include single- (cantilevered) or twin-sided support for the wheel, and whether the cars or capsules are oriented upright by gravity or by electric motors. The most prevalent design is the use of twin-sided support and gravity-oriented capsules.

File:Hora din Dealul Spirei, 1857.jpg on Dealul Spirii (Spirii Hill), Bucharest, Romania (1857 lithograph)]]

File:Magic City3, Paris, 1913.jpeg, Paris, France, 1913]]

"Pleasure wheels", whose passengers rode in chairs suspended from large wooden rings turned by strong men, may have originated in 17th-century Bulgaria.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/581259.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625210527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/581259.stm|url-status=dead|title=UK | Eyes in the sky|archive-date=June 25, 2006|website=BBC News}}

The Travels of Peter Mundy in Europe and Asia, 1608–1667{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/travelspetermun01mundgoog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119124337/https://archive.org/details/travelspetermun01mundgoog|url-status=dead|title=The travels of Peter Mundy in Europe and Asia, 1608-1667|first1=Peter|last1=Mundy|first2=Richard Carnac|last2=Temple|first3=Lavinia Mary|last3=Anstey|date=July 10, 1907|archive-date=January 19, 2015|publisher=Cambridge [Eng] Printed for the Hakluyt Society|via=Internet Archive}} describes and illustrates "severall Sorts of Swinginge used in their Publique rejoyceings att their Feast of Biram" on 17 May 1620 at Philippopolis (now Plovdiv) in the Ottoman Balkans. Among means "lesse dangerous and troublesome" was one: {{blockquote|like a Craine wheele att Customhowse Key and turned in that Manner, whereon Children sitt on little seats hunge round about in severall parts thereof, And though it turne right upp and downe, and that the Children are sometymes on the upper part of the wheele, and sometymes on the lower, yett they alwaies sitt upright.}}

Five years earlier, in 1615, Pietro Della Valle, a Roman traveller who sent letters from Constantinople, Persia, and India, attended a Ramadan festival in Constantinople. He describes the fireworks, floats, and great swings, then comments on riding the Great Wheel:{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wDJtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22I+was+delighted+to+find+myself+swept+upwards+and+downwards+at+such+speed.%22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424091655/https://books.google.com/books?id=wDJtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22I+was+delighted+to+find+myself+swept+upwards+and+downwards+at+such+speed.%22|url-status=dead|title=Pietro's Pilgrimage: A Journey to India and Back at the Beginning of the Seventeenth Century|first=Wilfrid|last=Blunt|date=July 10, 1953|archive-date=April 24, 2016|publisher=J. Barrie|via=Google Books}}

{{Blockquote|I was delighted to find myself swept upwards and downwards at such speed. But the wheel turned round so rapidly that a Greek who was sitting near me couldn't bear it any longer, and shouted out "soni! soni!" (enough! enough!)}}

Similar wheels also appeared in England in the 17th century, and subsequently elsewhere around the world, including India, Romania, and Siberia.

A Frenchman, Antonio Manguino, introduced the idea to America in 1848, when he constructed a wooden pleasure wheel to attract visitors to his start-up fair in Walton Spring, Georgia.

File:Somers Wheel (Roundabout) c. 1892.jpg]]

In 1892, William Somers installed three fifty-foot wooden wheels at Asbury Park, New Jersey; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Coney Island, New York. The following year he was granted the first U.S. patent for a "Roundabout".[http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-35D explorepahistory.com – Ferris Wheel Inventor Historical Marker] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312032622/http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-35D |date=March 12, 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/v/a/vac3/flat2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225223641/http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/v/a/vac3/flat2.html|url-status=dead|title=U.S. Patents for Ferris Wheels|archive-date=February 25, 2014}} George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. rode on Somers' wheel in Atlantic City prior to designing his wheel for the World's Columbian Exposition. In 1893 Somers filed a lawsuit against Ferris for patent infringement; however, Ferris and his lawyers successfully argued that the Ferris Wheel and its technology differed greatly from Somers' wheel, and the case was dismissed.{{cite book| last=Cahan|first=Richard| title=A court that shaped America: Chicago's federal district court from Abe Lincoln to Abbie Hoffman|year=2002|publisher=Northwestern University Press |location=Evanston, Ill.|isbn=0-8101-1981-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/courtthatshapeda0000caha/page/45 45]|url=https://archive.org/details/courtthatshapeda0000caha|url-access=registration|edition=[Online-Ausg.]}}

{{Main|Ferris Wheel (1893)}}

File:Ferris-wheel.jpg, built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition]]

The original Ferris wheel, sometimes referred to as the Chicago Wheel, was designed and constructed by Ferris Jr. and opened in 1893; however, an earlier wheel was created for the New York State fair in 1854, created by two Erie Canal workers.{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/11369/ |title = Bird's-Eye View of the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 |website = World Digital Library |year = 1893 |access-date = July 17, 2013 }}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SkFQ5tgWKfEC&q=Ferris+wheels:+an+illustrated+history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802050740/https://books.google.com/books?id=SkFQ5tgWKfEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ferris+wheels%3A+an+illustrated+history&cd=1|url-status=dead|title=Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History|first=Norman D.|last=Anderson|date=July 10, 1992|archive-date=August 2, 2016|publisher=Popular Press|isbn = 9780879725327|via=Google Books}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hydeparkhistory.org/newsletter.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118143455/http://www.hydeparkhistory.org/newsletter.html|url-status=dead|title=Hyde Park Historical Society: Chicago's Great Ferris Wheel of 1893, Patrick Meehan|archive-date=January 18, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol42/pp322-338|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011214156/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50329|url-status=dead|title=The Kensington Canal, railways and related developments | British History Online|archive-date=October 11, 2014|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}

With a height of {{Convert|80.4|m|ft|0}}, it was the tallest attraction at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, where it opened to the public on June 21, 1893. It was intended to rival the {{Convert|324|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Eiffel Tower, the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exposition.

Ferris was a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bridge-builder. He began his career in the railroad industry and then pursued an interest in bridge building. Ferris understood the growing need for structural steel and founded G.W.G. Ferris & Co. in Pittsburgh, a firm that tested and inspected metals for railroads and bridge builders.

The wheel rotated on a 71-ton, {{convert|45.5|foot|m|adj=on}} axle comprising what was at that time the world's largest hollow forging, manufactured in Pittsburgh by the Bethlehem Iron Company and weighing {{convert|89,320|lb|kg}}, together with two {{Convert|16|ft|m|adj=mid|-diameter}} cast-iron spiders weighing {{convert|53,031|lb|kg}}.

There were 36 cars, each fitted with 40 revolving chairs and able to accommodate up to 60 people, giving a total capacity of 2,160. The wheel carried some 38,000 passengers daily and took 20 minutes to complete two revolutions, the first involving six stops to allow passengers to exit and enter and the second a nine-minute non-stop rotation, for which the ticket holder paid 50 cents.

The Exposition ended in October 1893, and the wheel closed in April 1894 and was dismantled and stored until the following year. It was then rebuilt on Chicago's North Side, near the high-income enclave of Lincoln Park. William D. Boyce, then a local resident, filed a Circuit Court action against the owners of the wheel to have it removed, but without success. It operated there from October 1895 until 1903, when it was again dismantled, then transported by rail to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair and finally destroyed by controlled demolition using dynamite on May 11, 1906.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Ferris__George.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716104710/http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Ferris__George.html|url-status=dead|title=George Ferris|archive-date=July 16, 2014}}

The Wiener Riesenrad (German for "Viennese Giant Wheel") is a surviving example of 19th-century Ferris wheels. Erected in 1897 in the Wurstelprater section of Prater public park in the Leopoldstadt district of Vienna, Austria, to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I's Golden Jubilee, it has a height of {{Convert|64.75|m|ft|0}}{{Cite web|url=http://wienerriesenrad.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816092808/http://www.wienerriesenrad.com/index.php?menu=info&source=technik&lang=en|url-status=dead|title=Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel - Since 1897|archive-date=August 16, 2016|website=Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel}} and originally had 30 passenger cars. A demolition permit for the Riesenrad was issued in 1916, but due to a lack of funds with which to carry out the destruction, it survived.{{Cite web|url=http://wienerriesenrad.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092136/http://www.wienerriesenrad.com/index.php?menu=geschichte&source=geschichte&lang=en|url-status=dead|title=Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel - Since 1897|archive-date=March 4, 2016|website=Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel}}

Following the demolition of the {{Convert|96|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Grande Roue de Paris in 1920,{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfairs.info/expopavillondetails.php?expo_id=8&pavillon_id=504|title=Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Paris 1900 - Le bilan d'un siècle|website=worldfairs.info|year=1900|language=fr}} the Riesenrad became the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel. In 1944 it burnt down, but was rebuilt the following year with 15 passenger cars, and remained the world's tallest extant wheel until its 97th year, when the {{Convert|85|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Technocosmos was constructed for Expo '85, at Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Still in operation today, it is one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, and over the years has featured in numerous films (including Madame Solange d`Atalide (1914), Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948), The Third Man (1949), The Living Daylights (1987), Before Sunrise (1995) and novels.

{{See also|List of Ferris wheels}}

File:Great Wheel.jpg at Earls Court, London, world's tallest Ferris wheel 1895–1900]]

File:La grande roue, Paris, France, ca. 1890-1900.jpg, world's tallest Ferris wheel 1900–1920]]

Chronology of world's tallest wheels{{Anchor|Chronology}}

• 1893: the original Ferris Wheel was {{Convert|70.4|m|ft|0}} tall. Built for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, it was moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and demolished there in 1906.
• 1895: the Great Wheel was built for the Empire of India Exhibition at Earls Court, London, UK, and was {{Convert|84|m|ft|0}} tall.{{Cite web|url=http://www.englishheritageprints.com/pictures_460757/Great-Wheel-Earls-Court-CC97-01620.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430134347/http://www.englishheritageprints.com/pictures_460757/Great-Wheel-Earls-Court-CC97-01620.html|url-status=usurped|title=Great Wheel, Earls Court CC97/01620|archive-date=April 30, 2010|website=www.englishheritageprints.com}} Construction began in March 1894{{cite web |url=http://www.photolondon.org.uk/whole_gallery/gnmr_wheel.htm |title=The Great Wheel, Earl's Court Exhibition Ground |access-date=August 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814172740/http://www.photolondon.org.uk/whole_gallery/gnmr_wheel.htm |archive-date=August 14, 2007 }} and it opened to the public on July 17, 1895.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1895/07/21/archives/the-ferris-wheels-london-rival.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104202714/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C0DE6D9103DE433A25752C2A9619C94649ED7CF|url-status=dead|title=The Ferris Wheel's London Rival|agency=The London Times|date=July 21, 1895|archive-date=January 4, 2016|work=The New York Times}} It stayed in service until 1906 and was demolished in 1907, having carried over 2.5 million passengers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4731|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306003050/http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4731|url-status=dead|title=The Great Wheel, London - Building #4731|archive-date=March 6, 2016|publisher=Skyscrapernews.com}}
• 1900: the Grande Roue de Paris was built for the Exposition Universelle, a world's fair held in Paris, France. It was demolished in 1920, but its {{Convert|86|m|ft|0|adj=on}} height was not surpassed until almost 90 years after its construction.
• 1920: the Wiener Riesenrad was built to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I, at the entrance of the Wurstelprater amusement park in Austria's capital Vienna. Constructed in 1897, when the Grande Roue de Paris was demolished in 1920, the Riesenrad became the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel with {{Convert|64.75|m|ft|0|adj=on}}, and it remained so for the next 65 years until 1985, its 97th year.
• 1985: Technocosmos, later renamed Technostar, was an 85-metre (279 ft) tall giant Ferris wheel, originally built for the Expo 85 World Fair in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. Work began on dismantling Technostar in November 2009.
• 1989: the Cosmo Clock 21 was built for the YES '89 Yokohama Exposition at Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama, Japan. Originally constructed with a height of {{Convert|107.5|m|ft|0}},{{Cite web|url=http://www.senyo.co.jp/english/corp/leisure.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303234651/http://www.senyo.co.jp/english/corp/leisure.htm|url-status=dead|title=Senyo Kogyo Co, Ltd. - company profile|archive-date=March 3, 2012}} it was dismantled in 1997 and then in 1999 relocated onto a taller base which increased its overall height to {{Convert|112.5|m|ft|0}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.senyo.co.jp/produ/cosmo21.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918030148/http://www.senyo.co.jp/produ/cosmo21.htm|url-status=dead|title=Senyo Kogyo Co, Ltd. - Cosmo Clock 21|archive-date=September 18, 2013}}
• 1992: Igosu 108 at Biwako Tower, Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan, opened April 26 at {{Convert|108|m|ft|0}} tall, hence its name. It has since been moved to Vietnam, where it opened as the Sun Wheel on a new base, now totaling {{Convert|115|m|ft|0}} tall.{{Cite web|url=https://oo24n.jp/news/19687573.html|title=2014年7月にベトナムで「Sun Wheel」として復活した、びわ湖タワーの大観覧車「イーゴス108」|date=December 31, 2014|website=おおつうしん}}
• 1997: the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, in Osaka, Japan, opened to the public on July 13, and is {{Convert|112.5|m|ft|0}} tall.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kansai.gr.jp/kansaiwindowhtml/news/1997-e/19970624_NEWS.HTML|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820102828/http://www.kansai.gr.jp/kansaiwindowhtml/news/1997-e/19970624_NEWS.HTML|url-status=dead|title=World's tallest Ferris wheel to debut July 12 in Osaka |archive-date=August 20, 2004|website=Kippo News}}
• 1999: the Daikanransha at Palette Town in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan, is {{Convert|115|m|ft|0}} tall.
• 2000: the London Eye, in London, United Kingdom, is {{Convert|135|m|ft|0}} tall. Although officially opened on December 31, 1999, it did not open to the public until March 2000, because of technical problems.
• 2006: the Star of Nanchang, in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China, opened for business in May and is {{Convert|160|m|ft|0}} tall.
• 2008: the Singapore Flyer, in Singapore, is {{Convert|165|m|ft|0}} tall. It started rotating on February 11, and officially opened to the public on March 1, 2008.
• 2014: the High Roller, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, is {{Convert|167.6|m|ft|0}} tall. It opened to the public on March 31, 2014.{{cite web |last=Trejos |first=Nancy |title=World's tallest Ferris wheel opens in Vegas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/las-vegas/vegas-buzz/2014/03/31/las-vegas-high-roller-tallest-observation-wheel-in-the-world/7072015/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006004152/https://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/las-vegas/vegas-buzz/2014/03/31/las-vegas-high-roller-tallest-observation-wheel-in-the-world/7072015/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 | work=USA Today |access-date=September 11, 2024}}
• 2021: the Ain Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is {{Convert|250|m|ft|0|adj=on}}. It opened to the public on October 21, 2021.{{Cite news|title=Record-breaking ferris wheel opens in Dubai|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-59024669|access-date=October 23, 2021}}

Timeline{{Anchor|Timeline}}

Following the success of the {{Convert|135|m|ft|0|adj=on}} London Eye since it opened in 2000, giant Ferris wheels have been proposed for many other cities; however, a large number of these projects have stalled or failed.{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/nyc-ferris-wheel-project-has-big-backers/article/feed/2034600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235145/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nyc-ferris-wheel-project-has-big-backers/article/feed/2034600|url-status=dead|title=NYC Ferris wheel project has big backers|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}

• Isfahan Eye, a {{convert|222|m|abbr=on}} Ferris wheel in Mount Soffeh, Iran, under development by the city's municipality. It will be built with a financed 1000 billion toman.{{cite web | url=https://www.imna.ir/news/652256/%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%86%D8%B1%D8%AE-%D9%88-%D9%81%D9%84%DA%A9-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86 | title=احداث بزرگترین چرخ و فلک کشور در اصفهان | date=4 April 2023 }}
• The {{Convert|139|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Nanjing OCT Funland Ferris Wheel has passed national inspections in early 2023 and is about to open to the public.{{cite web | url=https://weibo.com/6628606012/MsYR4gDgN | title=国内最高辐条式摩天轮南京欢乐滨江摩天轮通过验收 | date=14 February 2023 }}

• The Skyvue Las Vegas Super Wheel{{Cite press release|url=http://www.icsc.org/2011SC/exhibitor_news.php?t=display&i=75&c=1004585|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403074328/http://www.icsc.org/2011SC/exhibitor_news.php?t=display&i=75&c=1004585|url-status=dead|title=Skyvue Las Vegas to Soar 500 Feet above Strip|archive-date=April 3, 2012}} (or SkyVue—the official website uses both[http://skyvuelasvegas.com/ skyvuelasvegas.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622100029/http://skyvuelasvegas.com/ |date=June 22, 2012 }}) was announced as being {{Convert|145|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} tall,{{Cite web|url=http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/17/7388556-high-stakes-for-dueling-vegas-observation-wheels|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001071409/http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/17/7388556-high-stakes-for-dueling-vegas-observation-wheels|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2011|title=Overhead Bin - High stakes for dueling Vegas observation wheels}} and later reported as {{Convert|150|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} and {{Convert|152.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url=http://english.eastday.com/e/120727/u1a6736090.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020234820/http://english.eastday.com/e/120727/u1a6736090.html|url-status=dead|title=Las Vegas to build world's tallest observation wheel|archive-date=October 20, 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/worlds-tallest-observation-wheel-in-vegas/story-fn32891l-1226436835127 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230190907/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/worlds-tallest-observation-wheel-in-vegas/story-fn32891l-1226436835127 |archive-date=December 30, 2012 |title=World's tallest observation wheel coming to Las Vegas |newspaper=Las Vegas Herald Sun |access-date=September 11, 2024 |date=July 27, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/22/developers-begin-next-construction-phase-skyvues-5/|title=Developers begin next construction phase for SkyVue's 500-foot wheelwebsite=www.lasvegassun.com|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=May 22, 2012}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skyvue-las-vegas-observation-wheel-completes-first-phase-of-construction-breaks-ground-on-retail--dining-district-152574305.html|title=SkyVue Las Vegas Observation Wheel Completes First Phase Of Construction, Breaks Ground On Retail & Dining District|publisher=SkyVue Las Vegas|website=www.prnewswire.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}} It was approved by Clark County Commission in March 2011,{{cite web|url=http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2011/may/23/las-vegas-developer-breaks-ground-500-foot-ferris-/|title=Las Vegas developer breaks ground on 500-foot Ferris wheel project|date=May 23, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2018}} and announced at a groundbreaking ceremony in May 2011 that "We expect it to be up and running in time for New Year's 2012".{{cite web|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/05/plans-for-a-london-eye-style-mega-ferris-wheel-in-vegas/171542/1|title=Travel News, Tips, and Guides | work=USA Today |access-date=October 4, 2018}} The completion date for its construction on the Las Vegas Strip was subsequently put back several times.{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/bullochs-big-wheel-long-shot-and-getting-longer|title=Bulloch's big wheel long shot, and getting longer|date=October 13, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2018}} {{As of|2014}}, construction had stalled. The project was eventually canceled due to lack of funding and the property was put up for sale in 2020, and again in 2022.{{cite news |last=Segall |first=Eli |title=Failed Ferris wheel project site on Strip for sale again |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/real-estate-insider/failed-ferris-wheel-project-site-on-strip-for-sale-again-2576128/ |access-date=2022-10-12 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=2022-05-14}}

• The {{Convert|190.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}}{{cite web|url=http://nyunews.com/index.php/2012/10/03/wheel/|title=Bloomberg announces plan for record-breaking ferris wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=October 3, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/travel/worlds-tallest-observation-wheel-to-tower-over-new-york-20120928-26p7a.html|title=World's tallest observation wheel to tower over New York|date=28 September 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2018}} New York Wheel was first reported in June 2012 and officially announced by mayor Michael Bloomberg in September 2012. Construction at Staten Island, New York City, alongside the planned Empire Outlets retail complex, was originally planned to begin early in 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/the_new_york_wheel_is_coming_t.html|title=The New York Wheel is coming to Staten Island|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite web|date=September 27, 2012|title=NYC Plans World's Largest Ferris Wheel on Staten Island|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-27/world-s-biggest-ferris-wheel-will-anchor-staten-island-complex.html|access-date=October 4, 2018|website=www.bloomberg.com}} and completion was originally expected to be in 2015. In October 2014 it was reported that construction would not begin until 2015, with completion delayed until 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/16/staten-island-wheel-complex-getting-4-d-ride-cam/|title=Staten Island wheel complex getting 4-D ride, cam|website=The Washington Times|access-date=October 4, 2018}} This was subsequently further pushed back to April 2018, and then delayed indefinitely after developer NY Wheel fired lead contractor Mammoet-Starneth LLC in July 2017 amid a legal dispute over missed design and construction deadlines.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/2017/07/ny_wheel_fires_its_main_contra.html#incart_2box_silive-homepage-featured|title=NY Wheel project indefinitely delayed after firing contractor|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=July 13, 2017}} In May 2018, the developers of the New York Wheel were given a last chance to obtain funding for the project. As per a ruling in Delaware bankruptcy court, the developers had 120 days, or until September 5, to find funding; however, on September 7, 2018, it was announced that the New York Wheel would not receive $140 million in city funding.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=Exclusive: NY Wheel strikes major deal; will it save the project? | website=Staten Island Advance| date=May 8, 2018 | url=http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2018/05/court_agreement_could_make_or.html | access-date=September 11, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Ameena | title=Staten Island's New York Wheel won't get city funding | website=Curbed NY | date=September 7, 2018 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/9/7/17831972/staten-island-new-york-wheel-funding-update | access-date=September 11, 2018}}{{cite web | title=Denial of NY Wheel funding has Chinese investors' families reeling | website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City | date=September 8, 2018 | url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/09/08/ny-wheel-latest | access-date=September 11, 2018}} The delays caused concern among EB-5 visa investors, who would lose their visas if the project was not constructed.{{cite web|last1=Small|first1=Eddie| title=New York Wheel delays could spell disaster for project's EB-5 investors | website=The Real Deal New York | date=July 21, 2017 | url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/07/21/ny-wheel-delays-could-spell-disaster-for-projects-eb-5-investors/ | access-date=September 11, 2018}} An amendment to the bankruptcy court's ruling gave the developers a final 120-day extension to look for funding. If the developers did not get funding by January 2019, the project would be canceled and no further funding extensions would be given.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=Embattled NY Wheel: Court motion outlines last shot at mediation | website=Staten Island Advance| date=September 8, 2018 | url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/09/ny_wheel_gets_january_extensio.html | access-date=September 11, 2018}} On September 21, 2018, mayor Bill de Blasio said that the now-$900-million project would not receive a bailout from the city because it was too risky to support the project with bonds. As such, the city would not support tax free status for a $380 million bond sale to complete the project.{{cite web | title=De Blasio: No bailout for Staten Island Ferris wheel project | website=New York Post | date=September 22, 2018 | url=https://nypost.com/2018/09/21/de-blasio-no-bail-out-for-staten-island-ferris-wheel-project/ | access-date=September 23, 2018}} Investors refused to proceed with construction without city support, and stated that it would allow the parts for the Ferris wheel to be auctioned off if the city did not provide funding.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=NY Wheel: Without the city, 'it's not going to happen' | website=SILive.com | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/09/ny_wheel_investors_without_cit.html | access-date=September 23, 2018}} Subsequently, investors decided to cancel the project.{{cite web | title=Investors scrap Staten Island's giant Ferris wheel | website=ABC7 New York | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://abc7ny.com/4301092/ | access-date=September 23, 2018}} At this point, investors had spent $450 million on the project.{{cite web | last=Grant | first=Peter | title=Effort to Bring Observation Wheel to New York Nears Futility | website=Wall Street Journal | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/effort-to-bring-observation-wheel-to-new-york-nears-futility-1537488459 | access-date=September 23, 2018}}

Incomplete, delayed, stalled, cancelled, failed, or abandoned proposals:

• {{Anchor|Moscow View}}The {{Convert|220|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Moscow View, proposed in 2011, was to have featured 48 monorail-mounted passenger capsules, each able to carry 48 passengers, travelling around a centreless non-rotating rim. At that time the timeframe for its construction was unknown and its site within Moscow had yet to be selected,{{cite web|url=http://moscowview.ru/moscowview.pdf|title=Moscow View|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706165226/http://moscowview.ru/moscowview.pdf|archive-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://my.news.yahoo.com/moscow-plans-observation-wheel-beat-las-vegas-high-170428984.html|title=Yahoo|website=Yahoo|date=28 November 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5862591/moscow-hopes-to-boost-tourism-with-a-giant-spokeless-ferris-wheel/gallery/1|title=Moscow Hopes To Boost Tourism With a Giant Spokeless Ferris Wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313112943/http://gizmodo.com/5862591/moscow-hopes-to-boost-tourism-with-a-giant-spokeless-ferris-wheel/gallery/1|archive-date=March 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} though candidates were said to include the All-Russia Exhibition Centre, Gorky Park, Prospekt Vernadskogo, and Sparrow Hills.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} In December 2011 the project was reported to be stalled due to lack of City Hall approval.{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/realestate/article/observation-wheel-may-tower-over-moscow/449761.html|title=Realestate|website=The Moscow Times|access-date=October 4, 2018}}
• The {{Convert|208|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Beijing Great Wheel was originally due to begin construction in 2007 and to open in 2008,{{Cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3Nb2cmuC0TcyevBNd13w9GEYY_w|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705180142/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3Nb2cmuC0TcyevBNd13w9GEYY_w|url-status=dead|title=AFP: Beijing begins construction of world's biggest wheel|archive-date=July 5, 2013}} but went into receivership in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2010-05/16787598-beijing-ferris-wheel-company-in-receivership-ifr-020.htm|title=Beijing Ferris wheel company in receivership - IFR|access-date=October 4, 2018}} It was one of at least five Great Wheel Corporation giant Ferris wheel projects which failed between 2007 and 2010.
• {{Anchor|Baghdad Eye}}The {{Convert|198|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Baghdad Eye was proposed for Baghdad, Iraq, in August 2008. At that time, three possible locations had been identified, but no estimates of cost or completion date were given.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26425911|title=Baghdad plans to build giant Ferris wheel|last=Yacoub|first=Sameer|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 28, 2008}}[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Iraq-Looking-To-Build-Giant-Observation-Wheel-In-Baghdad-To-Promote-Tourism/Article/200808415088474?lpos=World%2BNews_0&lid=ARTICLE_15088474_Iraq%2BLooking%2BTo%2BBuild%2BGiant%2BObservation%2BWheel%2BIn%2BBaghdad%2BTo%2BPromote%2BTourism Iraq Looking To Build Giant Observation Wheel In Baghdad To Promote Tourism] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628045749/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Iraq-Looking-To-Build-Giant-Observation-Wheel-In-Baghdad-To-Promote-Tourism/Article/200808415088474?lpos=World%2BNews_0&lid=ARTICLE_15088474_Iraq%2BLooking%2BTo%2BBuild%2BGiant%2BObservation%2BWheel%2BIn%2BBaghdad%2BTo%2BPromote%2BTourism |date=June 28, 2009 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2008/08/27/2008-08-27_iraq_plans_giant_ferris_wheel_hopes_to_l-1.html|title=Iraq plans giant Ferris wheel, hopes to lure tourists to Baghdad|website=New York Daily News}}Wikinews: Iraq plans 'Baghdad Eye' to draw in tourists In October 2008, it was reported that Al-Zawraa Park was expected to be the site,{{cite web|url=http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2008/10/obama_ads_attack_mccain_for_ba.php|title=Obama ad attacks McCain for Baghdad Ferris wheel project being built on land leased by a Democratic Party donor|first=Jared Jacang|last=Maher|date=October 1, 2008|access-date=October 4, 2018}} and a {{Convert|55|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} wheel was installed there in March 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/21/new-ferris-wheel-attracts-leisure-starved-iraqis.html|title=New Ferris wheel attracts leisure-starved Iraqis|last=AFP|date=March 21, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2018}}
• The {{Convert|185|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Great Dubai Wheel proposed for Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was granted planning permission in 2006 and expected to open in 2009,{{cite web |url=http://www.dubai-online.com/news/great-dubai-wheel-gets-the-green-light/ |title=Great Dubai Wheel Gets the Green Light |access-date=April 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224055048/http://www.dubai-online.com/news/great-dubai-wheel-gets-the-green-light/ |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }} but it was subsequently confirmed that it would not be built.{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-s-answer-london-eye-scrapped-search-on-for-stand-in-438572.html|title=Dubai's answer to London Eye scrapped, search on for stand-in |author=McGinley, Shane|work=Arabian Business|date=January 5, 2012|access-date=January 5, 2012}} It was one of at least five Great Wheel Corporation giant Ferris wheel projects which failed between 2007 and 2010.
• {{Anchor|Voyager}}The {{Convert|183|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Voyager[http://www.voyager-ent.com/ Voyager Entertainment International, Inc.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323222830/http://www.voyager-ent.com/ |date=March 23, 2010 }} was proposed several times for Las Vegas, Nevada.{{cite web|url=http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/voyager.htm|title=Voyager Las Vegas|first=Mark E.|last=Adams|website=www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023454/http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/voyager.htm|url-status=dead}}
• {{Anchor|Bangkok Eye}}The {{Convert|176|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Bangkok Eye, to be located near the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, was announced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on October 13, 2010, at which time the actual site and means of funding the 30-billion baht project had yet to be determined.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/BMA-plans-to-build-Bangkok-Eye-on-Chao-Phya-bank-30140014.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119104908/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/BMA-plans-to-build-Bangkok-Eye-on-Chao-Phya-bank-30140014.html|url-status=dead|title=BMA plans to build 'Bangkok Eye' on Chao Phya bank|archive-date=January 19, 2015}}

File:Aussichtsrad-berlin 03.jpg, a project originally due for completion in 2008, but which stalled after encountering financial obstacles]]

• The {{Convert|175|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Great Berlin Wheel was originally planned to open in 2008 but the project encountered financial obstacles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-travel-great-wheel-on-hold,0,4751298.story|title=Planned Great Wheel for I-Drive area of Orlando on hold – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It was one of at least five Great Wheel Corporation giant Ferris wheel projects which failed between 2007 and 2010.
• {{Anchor|Jeddah Eye}}The {{Convert|150|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Jeddah Eye was proposed in 2008, as part of a development scheduled to open in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Construction was to have begun in 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2008%2FNovember%2Fmiddleeast_November104.xml§ion=middleeast|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128030012/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2008%2FNovember%2Fmiddleeast_November104.xml§ion=middleeast|url-status=dead|title=No Page Found|date=January 28, 2013|archive-date=January 28, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2018}} but there were no subsequent announcements. It was one of at least five Great Wheel Corporation giant Ferris wheel projects which failed between 2007 and 2010.
• A {{Convert|137.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Ferris wheel project involving Tussauds was considered for New York City's South Street Seaport in 2004, but was never built.{{Cite web|url=http://gothamist.com/news/ferris-wheel-to-downtown-manhattan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104202714/http://gothamist.com/2004/05/24/ferris_wheel_to_downtown_manhattan.php|url-status=dead|title=Ferris Wheel to Downtown Manhattan?|date=May 24, 2004|archive-date=January 4, 2016|website=Gothamist}}
• The {{Convert|122|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Great Orlando Wheel was announced in June 2008{{Cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/maitland/orl-bigwheel2508jun25,0,6997712.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010001956/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/maitland/orl-bigwheel2508jun25%2C0%2C6997712.story|url-status=dead|title=Developer to roll out plans for Great Orlando Wheel attraction|archive-date=October 10, 2008}} but then suspended in early 2009 after losing its funding. It was one of at least five Great Wheel Corporation giant Ferris wheel projects which failed between 2007 and 2010.
• The {{Convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Kolkata Eye{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kolkata-eye-london-eye-kolkata-giant-ferris-wheel-howrah-bridge/1/363524.html|title=Like London, giant Ferris wheel to be built in Kolkata|website=India Today|access-date=October 4, 2018}} was first proposed in 2011 for construction on the banks of Hooghly River in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Favoured by Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, the project was originally valued at 100 crore rupees.{{Cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9269941/content/79980874-the-victor-was-the-trinamool-congress-party-of-firebrand-national-railways-minister-mamata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223143732/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9269941/content/79980874-the-victor-was-the-trinamool-congress-party-of-firebrand-national-railways-minister-mamata|url-status=dead|title=Mamata wants a Kolkata Eye on the lines of London Eye|archive-date=February 23, 2014}} This had risen to 300 crore rupees by May 2014 when Banerjee tweeted {{nowrap|"[it]}} is expected to be ready in a year's time". In January 2015 The Times of India reported that the project was "still a pipe dream".{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Kolkata-Eye-can-wait-here-comes-Big-Ben/articleshow/45783673.cms|title=Kolkata Eye can wait, here comes 'Big Ben' |website=The Times of India|date=7 January 2015 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}
• A {{Convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} wheel for Manchester, England, was proposed by Manchester City Council in 2010 as a replacement for the transportable {{Convert|60|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Wheel of Manchester installation, with Piccadilly Gardens the possible site and completion expected by Christmas 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-11459081|title='Monster' wheel plans confirmed|date=October 2, 2010|access-date=October 4, 2018|work=BBC News}}
• {{Anchor|Eye on Malaysia}}{{Anchor|Malaysia Eye}}The {{Convert|101|m|ft|sigfig=3|adj=on}} Eye on Malaysia, a Chinese-manufactured wheel with 54 passenger gondolas, was scheduled to begin operating in April 2013 at Malacca Island, Malaysia. In November 2012, Chief Minister of the state of Malacca Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam stated that the installation of piles had brought the RM40 million wheel to 15 per cent of completion, and that "the installation of the wheel structure will begin in February [2013]."{{cite web|url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsgeneral.php?id=711625|publisher=Bernama |title='Eye On Malaysia' Wheel In Pulau Melaka To Operate In April|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Mohd Ali Rustam had previously announced the Malaysia Eye, which conflicting reports stated would be {{Convert|85|m|ft|sigfig=3}}{{Cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2011/1/5/nation/7734324|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303030806/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F1%2F5%2Fnation%2F7734324&sec=nation|url-status=dead|title=CM: Pulau Melaka to house 85m-tall substitute giant wheel from China soon|archive-date=March 3, 2011}} or {{Convert|88|m|ft|sigfig=3}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/20yert/Article/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628190458/http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/20yert/Article/|url-status=dead|title=Malacca to get bigger Ferris wheel|archive-date=June 28, 2011}} tall, also to be sourced from China and located at Malacca Island, and to have 54 air-conditioned gondolas, each able to carry six people. It was scheduled to open on December 1, 2011, but was never built.
• A {{Convert|91.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} wheel planned for Manchester, England, for 2008,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6690967.stm|title=Big wheel returns to city centre|date=May 25, 2007|access-date=October 4, 2018|publisher=BBC News}} was never constructed.
• The {{Convert|87|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Pepsi Globe was proposed for the planned Meadowlands complex in New Jersey in February 2008 and originally due to open in 2009, then put on hold until 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/xanadu_pepsi_globe_ferris_whee.html|title=Opening delayed for Pepsi Globe Ferris wheel at Meadowlands Xanadu|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=April 29, 2009}} It has since been further delayed, and construction of the host complex, originally due to be completed in 2007, has been stalled since 2009 due to financing problems.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/panel_will_advise_gov_christie.html|title=Panel will advise Gov. Christie on four potential suitors in Xanadu redevelopment|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=November 21, 2010}}

{{Anchor|Nippon Moon}}Nippon Moon, described as a "giant observation wheel" by its designers,{{Cite web|url=http://www.unstudio.com/projects/gow-nippon-moon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105124645/http://www.unstudio.com/projects/gow-nippon-moon|url-status=dead|title=UNStudio – GOW Nippon Moon|archive-date=November 5, 2013}} was reported in September 2013 to be "currently in development". At that time, its height was "currently undisclosed", but "almost twice the scale of the wheel in London". Its location, an unspecified Japanese city, was "currently under wraps", and its funding had "yet to be entirely secured". Commissioned by Ferris Wheel Investment Co., Ltd., and designed by UNStudio in collaboration with Arup, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Experientia, it was expected to have 32 individually themed capsules and take 40 minutes to rotate once.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-09/03/nippon-moon-giant-wheel|title=Giant Japanese ferris wheel 'Nippon Moon' to be among largest in world|magazine=Wired UK|first=Kadhim|last=Shubber|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=September 3, 2013}}

{{Anchor|Shanghai Star}}{{Anchor|Shanghai Kiss}}The Shanghai Star, initially planned as a {{Convert|200|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall wheel to be built by 2005, was revised to {{Convert|170|m|ft|0}}, with a completion date set in 2007, but then cancelled in 2006 due to "political incorrectness".{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IF13Cb02.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614200318/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IF13Cb02.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=June 14, 2007|title=China's ill-conceived image projects|website=Asia Times|access-date=October 4, 2018}} An earlier proposal for a {{Convert|250|m|ft|0|adj=on}} structure, the Shanghai Kiss, with capsules ascending and descending a pair of towers which met at their peaks instead of a wheel, was deemed too expensive at £100m.{{cite web|url=http://www.building.co.uk/news/developer-spurns-alsop%E2%80%99s-%C2%A3100m-shanghai-kiss/3052909.article|title=Developer spurns Alsop's £100m Shanghai Kiss|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

{{Anchor|Rus-3000}}Rus-3000, a {{Convert|170|m|ft|0|adj=on}} wheel planned to open in 2004 in Moscow,{{cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0403/p07s01-woeu.html|title=Project has Muscovites going 'round and 'round|date=April 3, 2002|access-date=October 4, 2018|journal=Christian Science Monitor}} has since been reported cancelled.{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=138686|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604210637/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=138686|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=Moscow Ferris Wheel, Moscow - 138686 - EMPORIS|first=Emporis|last=GmbH|website=Emporis|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Subsequently, an approximately {{Convert|180|m|ft|0|adj=on}}[http://www.mnweekly.ru/local/20090326/55371610.html Moscow News – Local – Bringing back the big wheel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724112032/http://www.mnweekly.ru/local/20090326/55371610.html |date=July 24, 2011 }} wheel was considered for Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure,{{cite web |url=http://www.gzt.ru/megapolis/228737.html |title=Кризис закруглится в ЦПКиО - Мегаполис - GZT.ru |access-date=April 7, 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328053113/http://www.gzt.ru/megapolis/228737.html |archive-date=March 28, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2009/03/20/wheel/|title=Для Парка Горького выберут новое колесо обозрения|access-date=October 4, 2018}} and a {{Convert|150|m|ft|0|adj=on}} wheel proposed for location near Sparrow Hills.{{cite web|url=https://www.bn.ru/gazeta/news/35498/|title="Чертово колесо" разберут в московском ЦПКиО - Эксплуатация недвижимости - газета BN.ru|website=Бюллетень недвижимости}} Another giant wheel planned for Prospekt Vernadskogo for 2002 was also never built.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

File:Finniar SkyWheel Helsinki (Ferris wheel) (2).jpg, formerly known as Finnair SkyWheel, is the only Ferris wheel in the world with a sauna in one of its gondola cabins.{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/17/finland-launches-rival-to-the-london-eye---with-a-sauna-cabin/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/17/finland-launches-rival-to-the-london-eye---with-a-sauna-cabin/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Finland launches rival to the London Eye – with a sauna cabin|last=Orange|first=Richard|date=May 17, 2016| newspaper=Daily Telegraph | access-date=January 4, 2021|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}]]

File:Toys-R-Us Ferris Wheel (8502427998).jpg

At some malls and amusement parks indoor Ferris wheels were realized. The largest of its kind has a diameter of {{convert|47.6|m|ft}} and is situated in the {{convert|95|m|ft}} high Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center in Ashgabat.

Wheels with passenger cars mounted external to the rim and independently rotated by electric motors, as opposed to wheels with cars suspended from the rim and kept upright by gravity, are uncommon. Typically they are called 'Observation wheels' but there is no standardised terminology.

Only a few Ferris wheels with motorised capsules have been built.

• The {{Convert|128|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Bay Glory is China's first giant observation wheel with motorised capsules.
• The {{Convert|250|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Ain Dubai, world's current tallest observation wheel.
• The {{Convert|167.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} High Roller, world's tallest from 2014 to 2021, has externally mounted motorised capsules of a transparent spherical design,{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19345081|title=Colorado's Leitner-Poma to build cabins for huge observation wheel in Las Vegas|date=November 15, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://blog.vegas.com/las-vegas-hotels/a-vital-linq-for-las-vegas-20841/|title=A vital Linq for Las Vegas|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305053848/https://blog.vegas.com/las-vegas-hotels/a-vital-linq-for-las-vegas-20841/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}} and is described as both a Ferris wheel and an observation wheel by the media.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2011-08-17-las-vegas-london-eye_n.htm|title=Las Vegas plans to top London Eye with massive Ferris wheel |website=www.usatoday.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Worlds_biggest_observation_wheel_to_lift_Grand_Junctions_economy_134090334.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031351/http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Worlds_biggest_observation_wheel_to_lift_Grand_Junctions_economy_134090334.html|url-status=dead|title=New Vegas attraction helps Grand Junction's economy|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}
• The {{Convert|165|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} Singapore Flyer has cylindrical externally mounted motorised capsules and is described as an observation wheel by its operators,{{Cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxUkf2z1_4RGLWjXmFV8rxsD40QQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702164430/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxUkf2z1_4RGLWjXmFV8rxsD40QQ|url-status=dead|title=We don't use the F-word|archive-date=July 2, 2013}} but was also credited as "world's largest Ferris wheel" by the media when it opened in 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSIN32231520070830|title=Singapore to open world's largest Ferris wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018|work=Reuters|date=August 30, 2007}}
• The {{Convert|135|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} London Eye, typically described as a "giant Ferris wheel" by the media,{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1846986_1846948_1846868,00.html|title=London: 10 Things to Do — 3. The London Eye |magazine=Time |access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2010/mar/09/london-eye-millennium-design|title=Wheel deal: the London Eye turns 10 - Jonathan Glancey|first=Jonathan|last=Glancey|date=March 9, 2010|website=The Guardian|access-date=October 4, 2018}} has ovoidal externally mounted motorised capsules and is the "world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel"{{cite web |url=http://londoneye.com/SiteImages/Assets/8/102.pdf |title=Is it a Ferris wheel? |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304062139/http://londoneye.com/SiteImages/Assets/8/102.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }} according to its operator.

File:Southern Star Complete.jpg), tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, in 2008]]

• The {{Convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} Melbourne Star (previously the Southern Star) in Australia has ovoidal externally mounted motorised capsules and is described by its operators as "the only observation wheel in the southern hemisphere",{{cite web |url=http://www.thesouthernstar.com.au/ |title=Welcome to the Southern Star |access-date=July 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016005711/http://www.thesouthernstar.com.au/ |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=dead }} but also as a Ferris wheel by the media.{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19300554-2862,00.html|title=Work to spin Ferris wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roller-coaster.com.au/ride.php?rid=53|title=Southern Star Observation Wheel - Roller-Coaster.com.au - Australian theme parks|website=www.roller-coaster.com.au|access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/melbournes-big-wheel-of-misfortune/3479|title=Melbourne's big wheel of misfortune - ZDNet|first=Lieu Thi|last=Pham|access-date=October 4, 2018}}
• The {{Convert|139|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} Nanjing OCT Funland Ferris Wheel is China's second giant observation wheel with motorised capsules which has passed national inspections in early 2023 and is about to open to the public.

Official conceptual renderings{{cite web|url=http://newyorkwheel.com/|title=The New York Wheel|website=newyorkwheel.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}} of the proposed {{Convert|190.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} New York Wheel also show a wheel equipped with externally mounted motorised capsules.{{cite web|url=http://www.nycedc.com/project/st-george-waterfront|title=St. George Waterfront|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

File:Big_O_Ferris_Wheel.jpg, a {{Convert|60|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall centreless wheel at Tokyo Dome City in Japan]]

In the centreless (sometimes called hubless or spokeless) wheel design, there is no central hub and the rim of the wheel stays fixed in place. Instead, each car travels around the circumference of the rim. The first centreless wheel built was the Big O at Tokyo Dome City in Japan.{{cite web |url=https://www.japlanning.com/blog/big-wheel-keep-on-turning-ferris-wheels-in-japan |title=Big wheel keep on turning - Ferris wheels in Japan |author=Marley, Bryce |date=February 22, 2014 |website=Japlanning [blog] |access-date=October 21, 2019}} Its {{convert|60|m|ft|0|adj=on}} height has since been surpassed by the {{convert|145|m|ft|1|adj=on}} high Bailang River Bridge Ferris Wheel on the upper deck of the Bailang River Bridge in Shandong Province, China, which opened in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2018/11/140-m-tall-observation-wheel-with-no-centre-is-a-thing-of-beauty-542006/ |title=140-m tall observation wheel with no centre is a thing of beauty |author=Zhan, Echo |date=November 14, 2018 |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=October 21, 2019}}

The first centreless wheel in North America opened in January 2019 at the indoor Méga Parc in Quebec City, Canada.{{cite news |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/mega-parc-grand-opening-canada/ |title=Méga Parc opens with first spokeless Ferris Wheel in North America |author=Tuttle, Brittani |date=January 18, 2019 |work=Attractions Magazine |access-date=October 21, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.parkworld-online.com/first-roller-coaster-in-north-america-to-go-through-a-ferris-wheel/ |title=First roller coaster in North America to go through a Ferris Wheel |date=January 12, 2007 |work=Park World |access-date=October 21, 2019}} The {{convert|23.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} wheel at Méga Parc was designed and manufactured by Larson International.{{cite web |url=https://larsonintl.com/the-hubless-wheel/ |title=The Hubless Wheel |publisher=Larson International, Inc. |access-date=October 21, 2019}}

Transportable Ferris wheels are designed to be operated at multiple locations, as opposed to fixed wheels which are usually intended for permanent installation. Small transportable designs may be permanently mounted on trailers, and can be moved intact. Larger transportable wheels are designed to be repeatedly dismantled and rebuilt, some using water ballast instead of the permanent foundations of their fixed counterparts. Larger transportable wheels were designed with a self erecting mechanism in the absence of mobile cranes reaching high enough since 1958 in Europe. Spokes must be stiff being able to carry their own weight for assembling the wheel without auxiliary scaffolding.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

Fixed wheels are also sometimes dismantled and relocated. Larger examples include the original Ferris Wheel, which operated at two sites in Chicago, Illinois, and a third in St. Louis, Missouri; Technocosmos/Technostar, which moved to Expoland, Osaka, after Expo '85, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, for which it was built, ended; and Cosmo Clock 21, which added {{Convert|5|m|ft|0}} onto its original {{Convert|107.5|m|ft|0|adj=on}} height when erected for the second time at Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama, in 1999.

The world's tallest transportable wheel {{As of|2010|alt=today}} is the {{Convert|78|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Bussink Design R80XL.{{cite web|url=http://r80xl.com/|title=R80 XL World's Largest Transportable Giant Wheel - Welcome|website=r80xl.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2446/Bussink_launches_world_s_tallest_transportable_Ferris_Wheel_.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630025834/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2446/Bussink_launches_world_s_tallest_transportable_Ferris_Wheel_.html|url-status=dead|title=Bussink launches world's tallest transportable Ferris Wheel|archive-date=June 30, 2013}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hitech.at/2013/01/17/riesenrad-r80xl/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119120634/http://www.hitech.at/2013/01/17/riesenrad-r80xl/|url-status=dead|title=Ferris R80XL|archive-date=January 19, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/weltweit-groesstes-mobiles-riesenrad-muenchen-dreht-ein-grosses-ding-1.1568137|title=München dreht ein großes Ding|first=Christian|last=Mayer|date=October 4, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung}}

File:Roue De Paris (Geleen).jpg, a Ronald Bussink R60 transportable wheel, at Geleen in the Netherlands in 2005]]

One of the most famous transportable wheels is the {{Convert|60|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Roue de Paris, originally installed on the Place de la Concorde in Paris for the 2000 millennium celebrations. Roue de Paris left France in 2002 and in 2003–04 operated in Birmingham and Manchester, England. In 2005 it visited first Geleen then Amsterdam, Netherlands, before returning to England to operate at Gateshead. In 2006 it was erected at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok, Thailand, and by 2008 had made its way to Antwerp, Belgium.{{cite web |url=http://rouedeparis.com/Explore_RDP.htm |title=The History of 'La grande Roue de Paris' |access-date=May 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129112443/http://www.rouedeparis.com/Explore_RDP.htm |archive-date=January 29, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Roue de Paris is a Ronald Bussink series R60 design using {{Convert|abbr=off|40000|l}} of water ballast to provide a stable base. The R60 weighs {{Convert|365|t|ST}}, and can be erected in 72 hours and dismantled in 60 hours by a specialist team. Transport requires seven 20-foot container lorries, ten open trailer lorries, and one closed trailer lorry. Its 42-passenger cars can be loaded either 3 or 6 at a time, and each car can carry 8 people.{{cite web|url=http://rouedeparis.com/RDP_Technical.htm|title=Technical Information|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317023105/http://rouedeparis.com/RDP_Technical.htm|archive-date=March 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} Bussink R60 wheels have operated in Australia (Brisbane), Canada (Niagara Falls), France (Paris), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur & Malacca), México (Puebla), UK (Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield), US (Atlanta, Myrtle Beach), and elsewhere.

Other notable transportable wheels include the {{Convert|60|m|ft|0|adj=on}} Steiger Ferris Wheel, which was the world's tallest transportable wheel when it began operating in 1980.{{cite news|first=Jens|last=Anker|newspaper=Welt Online|title=Schausteller verspricht Riesenrad am Container-Bahnhof|language=de|trans-title=Fairground showman promises Ferris wheel at the Goods Station|url=https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article350407/Schausteller_verspricht_Riesenrad_am_Container_Bahnhof.html|date=November 4, 2004}} It has 42 passenger cars,{{cite web|url=http://www.riesenrad.de/page.php?rubrik=2&page=0&lang=en|title=Steiger Build-Up – Technical data|access-date=June 10, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008211446/http://www.riesenrad.de/page.php?rubrik=2&page=0&lang=en|archive-date=October 8, 2007}} and weighs 450 tons.{{cite news|url=http://www.hafencitynews.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1210&Itemid=57|title=Riesenrad in der Hafencity|trans-title=Ferris Wheel Harbour Town's City Centre|last=Klessmann|first=Michael|date=August 30, 2010|work=HafenCity News|language=de|access-date=March 3, 2011}} On October 11, 2010, it collapsed at the Kramermarkt in Oldenburg, Germany, during deconstruction.{{cite news|title=Riesenrad-Unfall: Freimarkt bekommt Europa-Rad als Ersatz|trans-title=Ferris wheel accident: Freimarkt gets Europe Wheel instead|language=de|newspaper=Kreiszeitung|date=October 12, 2010|url=http://www.kreiszeitung.de/freimarkt-bremen/2010/freimarkt-aktuell/unfall-steiger-riesenrad-abbau-oldenburg-957650.html}}

A double Ferris wheel designed to include a horizontal turntable was patented in 1939 by John F. Courtney, working for Velare & Courtney. In Courtney's design, there were two independent Ferris wheels, each rotating at either end of a cantilever arm. The cantilever arm was supported in the middle by a tall vertical support, and the cantilever arm itself rotated around its middle pivot point.{{cite patent |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2249076A/en |number=2249076A |country=US |title=Amusement apparatus |inventor=Courtney, John F |assign=Velare & Courtney, Inc. |status=Grant |pridate=June 10, 1939 |gdate=July 15, 1941}} The design was similar to the earlier Aeriocycle, but the double wheel patented by Courtney allowed the cantilever arm to make a complete rotation, while the Aeriocycle was limited to a seesaw motion.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SkFQ5tgWKfEC&pg=PA223 |title=Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History |author=Anderson, Norman D. |chapter=VI: From Astro Wheels to Zippers |date=1992 |pages=222–228 |publisher=Bowling Green State University Popular Press |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |isbn=0-87972-531-1 |access-date=October 22, 2019}} Courtney continued to file additional patents on improved designs through the 1950s to make them more portable,{{cite patent |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2800328A/en |number=2800328A |country=US |title=Plural horizontal axes roundabout |inventor=Courtney, John F |assign= |status=Grant |pridate=September 8, 1954 |gdate=July 23, 1957}}{{cite patent |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2847216A/en |number=2847216A |country=US |title=Amusement ride apparatus |inventor=Courtney, John F |assign= |status=Grant |pridate=August 20, 1956 |gdate=August 12, 1958}} and at about the same time, the Velare brothers patented the "Space Wheel", a side-by-side double with four total Ferris wheels.{{cite patent |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2907568A/en |number=2907568A |country=US |title=Portable ferris wheel |invent1=Curtis J Velare |invent2=Elmer C Velare |assign=|status=Grant |pridate=November 19, 1956 |gdate=October 6, 1959}}

The design was later sold to the Allan Herschell Company in 1959 and marketed as the "Sky Wheel"; the first sale as the Sky Wheel was to 20th Century Rides in October 1960.{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MiAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52 |title=McCrary, Martin buy Herschell Sky Wheel |date=October 17, 1960 |newspaper=The Billboard |page=52 |access-date=October 22, 2019}} The Sky Wheel seated up to 32 riders in 16 two-person cars, with 8 cars per wheel, and riders reached a peak of approximately {{convert|80|ft}}. The height and popularity of the Sky Wheel was eclipsed by larger single wheels in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and it has since largely disappeared from common use.{{cite news |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/08/17/like-old-friend-double-ferris-wheel-returns-to-midway-skyline/ |title=Like old friend, double Ferris wheel returns to Erie County Fair skyline |author=Kirst, Sean |date=August 17, 2019 |newspaper=The Buffalo News |access-date=October 21, 2019}}{{cite news |url=http://herald-citizen.com/stories/king-of-the-midway-is-back,16369 |title='King of the Midway' is back |author=Kernea, Ty |date=July 22, 2016 |newspaper=Herald-Citizen |url-access=limited |access-date=October 21, 2019}} {{as of|2018}}, there are four known Sky Wheels that remain in operation.{{cite news |url=https://carnivalwarehouse.com/newsserver/miller-spectacular-shows-adds-sky-wheel-1535068800 |title=Miller Spectacular Shows Adds Sky Wheel |author=Cook, Matt |date=August 24, 2018 |work=Carnival Warehouse |access-date=October 21, 2019}}

In March 1966, Thomas Glen Robinson and Ralph G. Robinson received a patent for a Planetary Amusement Ride, which was a distinct double wheel design. In the Robinsons' patent, the cantilever arm was bent at a slightly obtuse angle, and the cars were carried on a spoked "spider" rotating structure at each end of the cantilever. With the obtuse-angle cantilever, one spider could be lowered to the ground in a horizontal plane so that all the cars on that spider could be unloaded and loaded simultaneously, while the spider on the other end of the cantilever would continue to rotate in a near-vertical plane.{{cite patent |title=Planetary amusement ride |url=https://www.google.com/patents/US3243184 |number=3243184A |country=US |invent1=Thomas Glen Robinson |invent2=Ralph G Robinson |fdate=June 1, 1964 |gdate=March 29, 1966 |status=grant}}{{cite news |url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=GOT19690804-01.2.54 |title=Texas Joy Ride Collapses, 17 Hurt, Others Stranded |agency=UPI |date=August 4, 1969 |newspaper=Golden Transcript |access-date=October 22, 2019 |quote=The Astrowheel resembles a ferris wheel. It has two arms at right angles which support the cabins for the passengers. When one is at a verticle {{sic}} position, the other is horizontal, loading passengers.}}

Robinson sold two of these rides – Astrowheel, which operated at the former Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas,{{cite web |url=http://www.sixflagshouston.com/rides/viewride.php?id=34 |title=SixFlagsHouston.com – Rides – Astrowheel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060107202841/http://www.sixflagshouston.com/rides/viewride.php?id=34 |archive-date=January 7, 2006}} and Galaxy, which operated at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. Both were manufactured by Astron International Corporation.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://amusementparkives.com/2016/04/14/giant-wheel-1973-2004/ |title=Giant Wheel {{!}} 1973-2004 |author=Michelson, Harry |date=April 14, 2016 |website=The Amusement Parkives [blog] |access-date=October 22, 2019}} Astrowheel was part of the original lineup of rides when Astroworld opened in 1968;{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,900135,00.html |title=The City: The Disneyland Effect |date=June 14, 1968 |magazine=Time |access-date=October 22, 2019}} it was removed in 1981 to make way for the Warp 10 ride.{{cite journal |url=https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1922&context=ethj |title=Judge Roy's Playground: A History of Astroworld |author=Guenther, Karen |date=October 1998 |volume=36 |issue=2 |journal=East Texas Historical Journal |access-date=October 22, 2019}} Astrowheel had an eight-spoked spider at the end of each arm, and each tip had a separate car for eight cars in total on each end.{{cite web |url=https://ashraehouston.starchapter.com/gallery.php?id=2 |title=Model of AstroWheel |publisher=ASHRAE, Houston Chapter |access-date=October 22, 2019}} In contrast, Galaxy had double the capacity with a four-spoked spider at the end of each arm; each tip bore an independent four-spoked sub-spider for sixteen cars in total on each end. Like Astrowheel, Galaxy was part of the lineup at Magic Mountain when the park opened in 1971, and was removed in 1980 when Six Flags took over ownership of both parks.{{cite web |url=https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2775.htm |title=Galaxy Ferris Wheel |publisher=SCV History |access-date=October 22, 2019}}

File:Giant Wheel.jpg|Giant Wheel, a Waagner-Biro/Intamin double wheel

File:Scorpion (Abandoned) (23706758666).jpg|Abandoned Scorpion at Parque de la Ciudad (2015)

File:Sky Whirl 2.jpg|Sky Whirl, a triple wheel at Gurnee

Swiss broker Intamin marketed a similar series of double wheels manufactured by Waagner-Biro, comprising a vertical column supporting a straight cantilever arm, with each end of the cantilever arm ending in a spoked Ferris wheel. The first Intamin produced was Giant Wheel at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which operated from 1973 to 2004. Other double wheels made by Waagner-Biro/Intamin include Zodiac (Kings Island, Mason, Ohio; 1975–86;{{cite news |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/previewed-kings-island-newest-features-this-year-here-what-found/0of9ywxxMUU2ffB1qfrdPN/ |title=We previewed Kings Island's newest features this year. Here's what we found. |author=Schwartzberg, Eric |date=April 17, 2019 |newspaper=Dayton Daily News |access-date=October 22, 2019}} moved to Wonderland Sydney and operated 1989–2004), Scorpion (Parque de la Ciudad, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 1982–2003), and Double Wheel (Kuwait Entertainment City, Kuwait City, Kuwait; 1984–91).{{cite web |url=https://amusementparkives.com/amusement-ride-manufacturers/waagner-biro-double-and-triple-tree-wheels/ |title=Waagner Biro Double and Triple Tree Wheels |author=Michelson, Harry |website=The Amusement Parkives [blog] |access-date=October 22, 2019|date=February 8, 2018 }}

A triple variant was custom designed for the Marriott Corporation and debuted at both Marriott's Great America parks (now Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, Illinois, and California's Great America, Santa Clara) in 1976 as Sky Whirl. Each ride had three main components: the three spiders/wheels with their passenger cars; the triple-spoked supporting arm; and the single central supporting column. Each wheel rotated about one of the three ends of the supporting arm. The supporting arm would in turn rotate around its central hub as a single unit about the top of the supporting column. The axis about which the supporting arm turned was offset from vertical (i.e., the plane of rotation was not horizontal), so that as the supporting arm rotated, each wheel was raised and lowered. When lowered, one wheel was horizontal at ground level. At the same time, the other wheels remained raised and continued to rotate in a near-vertical plane at considerable height. The lowered horizontal wheel was brought to a standstill for simultaneous loading and unloading of all its passenger cars.{{cite web |url=https://www.greatamericaparks.com/great-america-rides/sky-whirl/ |title=Sky Whirl |website=Great America Parks |access-date=October 22, 2019|date=March 24, 2018 }}

The Sky Whirl was also known as a triple Ferris wheel,{{cite web |url=http://www.freethemepark.com/great-america-tickets.php |title=Need Six Flags Great America Tickets? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017003131/http://www.freethemepark.com/great-america-tickets.php |archive-date=October 17, 2015 }} Triple Giant Wheel,{{cite web |url=http://timelines.home.insightbb.com/sfgam_years.htm |title=Theme Park Timelines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118163229/http://timelines.home.insightbb.com/sfgam_years.htm |archive-date=January 18, 2015 }} or Triple Tree Wheel; it was {{Convert|33|m|ft|0}} in height.{{cite web |url=http://www.gurnee.il.us/zoning_board/zba_minutes/10-25-00.html |title=Zoning Board Minutes |date=October 25, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312131305/http://www.gurnee.il.us/zoning_board/zba_minutes/10-25-00.html |archive-date=March 12, 2006 }} The Sky Whirl in Santa Clara was filmed for a memorable rescue scene in Beverly Hills Cop III (renamed to "The Spider" for the film).{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/06/10/eddie-murphys-dangerous-ride/ |title=Eddie Murphy's dangerous ride |author=Mannes, George |date=June 10, 1994 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 22, 2019}} The Santa Clara ride, renamed Triple Wheel in post-Marriott years, closed on September 1, 1997. The Gurnee ride closed in 2000. Two triple wheels were built for Asian clients: Tree Triple Wheel at Seibu-en (Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan; 1985–2004) and Hydra at Lotte World (Seoul, South Korea; 1989–97).

An eccentric wheel (sometimes called a sliding wheel{{cite web|url=http://www.originald.com/info/attractions/california-adventure/paradise-pier/mickeys-fun-wheel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509223639/http://www.originald.com/info/attractions/california-adventure/paradise-pier/mickeys-fun-wheel|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 9, 2009|title=Mickey's Fun Wheel|date=May 9, 2009|access-date=October 4, 2018}} or coaster wheel{{cite web|url=http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/GiantWheels/Coaster+Wheel/tabid/143/ProductNumber/Coaster+Wheel/language/de-DE/Default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711135757/http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/GiantWheels/Coaster+Wheel/tabid/143/ProductNumber/Coaster+Wheel/language/de-DE/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2011|title=Coaster Wheel > Giant Wheels > Amusement|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2018}}) differs from a conventional Ferris wheel in that some or all of its passenger cars are not fixed directly to the rim of the wheel, but instead slide on rails between the rim and the hub as the wheel rotates.

The two most famous eccentric wheels are Wonder Wheel, at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Coney Island, US, and Pixar Pal-A-Round (previously Sun Wheel and Mickey's Fun Wheel), at Disney California Adventure, US. The latter is a replica of the former. There is a second replica in Yokohama Dreamland, Japan.

Pixar Pal-A-Round is {{Convert|48.8|m|ft|0}} tall and has 24 fully enclosed passenger cars, each able to carry six passengers. Each passenger car is decorated with the face of a Pixar character. Sixteen slide inward and outward as the wheel rotates, the remainder are fixed to the rim. There are separate boarding queues for sliding and fixed cars, so that passengers may choose between the two.{{cite web|url=http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/sun.htm|title=Mickey's Fun Wheel - Disney's California Adventure - AllEars.Net|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Inspired by Coney Island's 1920 Wonder Wheel, it was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Waagner Biro, completed in 2001 as the Sun Wheel, later refurbished and reopened in 2009 as Mickey's Fun Wheel, and again rethemed as Pixar Pal-A-Round in 2018.

Wonder Wheel was built in 1920, is {{Convert|45.7|m|ft|0}} tall, and can carry 144 people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.denoswonderwheel.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080019/http://www.wonderwheel.com/rides/wonderwheel.html|url-status=dead|title=Deno's Wonder Wheel|archive-date=March 4, 2016|website=Deno's Wonder Wheel}}

File:Ferris.jpg|Hermann Eccentric Ferris Wheel with sliding cars, from US patent 1354436, 1915; forerunner of the 1920 Wonder Wheel, there is no record of it ever being built{{cite web|url=http://www.oceancountygov.com/history/seaside/page5.htm|title=Ocean County NJ History, Seaside|access-date=4 October 2018}}

File:WonderWheelNewYork.jpg|Wonder Wheel, a {{Convert|45.7|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall eccentric wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Coney Island, was built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company{{cite web |url=http://www.wonderwheel.com/history.html |title=Wonder Wheel History |access-date=2011-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203175820/http://www.wonderwheel.com/history.html |archive-date=2011-02-03 |url-status=dead }}

File:ParadisePier2010.JPG|Disney California Adventure's Pixar Pal-A-Round, an eccentric wheel modelled on Wonder Wheel, was built in 2001 as Sun Wheel and became Mickey's Fun Wheel in 2009 and currently Pixar Pal-A-Round in 2018

File:London-Eye-2009.JPG|The London Eye was world's tallest ferris wheel when it opened and is currently the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK

File:CosmoClock21 2006-05-21.JPG|Cosmo Clock 21, world's tallest wheel 1989 to 1997

File:Wheel of the Pioneers - Minitalia Leolandia Park.jpg|Ruota dei Pionieri, Minitalia Leolandia Park, Italy (manufactured by Zamperla[http://www.zamperla.com/en/zamperla-details-rides-ferris_wheel Zamperla Rides] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110134203/http://www.zamperla.com/en/zamperla-details-rides-ferris_wheel |date=2013-11-10 }})

File:Drive-in Wheel.jpg|Four-car 30 m tall drive-in Ferris wheel at Harbourfront, Toronto, Canada, in 2004{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianarchitect.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000191416&PC=CA|title=News - Canadian Architect|access-date=4 October 2018}}

File:WSJ2007 Swedish Wheel.JPG|A wheel constructed by the Swedish contingent at the 21st World Scout Jamboree

File:Cyclecide-ferris-wheel-Bumbershoot07.jpg|Passenger-powered 2-seat Cyclecide wheel at the 2007 Bumbershoot festival in Seattle

File:Ferris wheel in the Park Divo Ostrov, St. Petersburg.jpg|Ferris wheel in the Park Divo Ostrov, St. Petersburg

File:Bay Glory Shenzhen 2021-02-07.jpg|Bay Glory in Bao'an Seashore Cultural Park, Shenzhen, China, in 2021

File:Ain Dubai, light show of the ferris wheel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.jpg|Ain Dubai, light show of the ferris wheel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

File:Pripyat ferris wheel side.jpg|The ferris wheel of Pripyat amusement park, a symbol of the Chernobyl Disaster

Allan Herschell Company (merged with Chance Rides in 1970){{cite book|last=Chance|first=Harold|title=The Book of Chance|year=2004|publisher=Wichita Press|location=Wichita, Kansas|isbn=0-9649065-0-3|page=31}}

:* Seattle Wheel (debuted 1962): 16 cars, two passengers per car{{cite web|url=http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index%20Pages/seattlewheel.html|title=Allan Herschell Seattle Wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:* Sky Wheel (debuted 1939; also manufactured by Chance Rides): a double wheel, with the wheels rotating about opposite ends of a pair of parallel beams, and the beams rotating about their centres; eight cars per wheel, two passengers per car{{cite web|url=http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index%20Pages/skywheel.html|title=Skywheel (Manufactured by both Allan Herschell and Chance Rides)|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

Chance Morgan/Chance Rides/Chance Wheels/Chance American Wheels{{cite press release |url=http://www.chancemorgan.com/news/images/press_releases/cr_50years_9_14_11.pdf |title=Chance Celebrates 50 Years of Fun and Attractions |access-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225214/http://www.chancemorgan.com/news/images/press_releases/cr_50years_9_14_11.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.chancemorgan.com/familyrides3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611054734/http://www.chancemorgan.com/familyrides3.html|url-status=dead|title=Chance Morgan|archive-date=June 11, 2010}}

:* Astro Wheel (debuted 1967): 16 cars (eight facing one way, eight the other), two passengers per car{{cite web|url=http://www.flatrides.com/Ride%20Index%20Pages/astrowheel.html|title=Chance Astro Wheel|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:* Century Wheel: {{Convert|20|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, 15 cars, 4-6 passengers per car

:* Giant Wheel: {{Convert|27|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, 20 cars, 6-8 passengers per car{{Failed verification|date=May 2019}}

:* Niagara SkyWheel (2006): {{Convert|53.3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, 42 air-conditioned cars, eight passengers per car{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/niagara/skywheel/prweb403069.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060702202240/http://www.prweb.com/releases/niagara/skywheel/prweb403069.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 2, 2006|title=One of a Kind 'Giant Wheel' Debuts in Niagara Falls, Canada |access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:* Myrtle Beach SkyWheel (2011): {{Convert|57|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, 42 air-conditioned cars, 6 passengers per car{{Cite web |url=https://www.longbeachsignsandgraphics.com/vehicle-wraps/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120014231/http://www.themyrtlebeachskywheel.com/news/skywheel-myrtle-beach-announces-tickets-now-available-for-purchase-online|url-status=dead|title=Best Vehicle Wraps Long Beach, CA | Commercial Vehicle Graphics |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |website=www.longbeachsignsandgraphics.com}}

; Eli Bridge Company{{cite web|url=http://www.elibridge.com/|title=Eli Bridge Company :: Jacksonville, IL :: Ferris Wheels |publisher=Eli Bridge Company |access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:Contemporary models include:

:*Signature Series: 16 cars, 3 passengers per car; transportable

:*Eagle Series: 16 cars, 3 passengers per car; transportable

:*HY-5 Series: 12 cars, 3 passengers per car; transportable

:*Aristocrat Series: 16 cars, fixed site

:*Standard Series: 12 cars, fixed site

:*Lil' Wheel: 6 cars, 3 passengers per car; transportable and fixed site models

Great Wheel Corporation{{Cite web|url=http://greatwheel.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211074142/http://greatwheel.com/|url-status=usurped|title=Great Wheel Corporation|archive-date=February 11, 2012|website=www.greatwheel.com}} (merged with World Tourist Attractions in 2009 to form Great City Attractions){{cite web|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200907240939dowjonesdjonline000583&title=world-tourist-attractionsgreat-wheel-merge-ahead-of-ipo|title=Today's Stock Market News and Analysis from Nasdaq.com|website=NASDAQ.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:*Singapore Flyer: {{Convert|165|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, completed 2008; world's tallest 2008 to 2014

:*Beijing Great Wheel: {{Convert|208|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, was supposed to open in 2008, went into in receivership, never built

:*Great Dubai Wheel: {{Convert|185|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, planning permission granted in 2006, was supposed to open in 2009, never built

:*Great Berlin Wheel: {{Convert|175|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, was supposed to open in 2008, never built

:*Great Orlando Wheel: {{Convert|122|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, project halted in 2009, never built

Intamin/Waagner-Biro{{cite web|url=http://www.ridetrade.com/rti/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=17&Itemid=34|title=Intamin – Ride Trade – The Art of Thrill – Giant Wheels|access-date=October 4, 2018}} (Rides brokered by Intamin—manufactured by Waagner-Biro){{cite web |url=http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/waagner-biro_15_326.jpg |title=Waagner-Biro Ride Catalogue page|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

:*Mickey's Fun Wheel: an eccentric (sliding) wheel

:*Giant Wheel: a double wheel

:*Sky Whirl: a triple wheel

:*The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando

{{Anchor|Mir}}

Mir / Pax{{Anchor|Pax}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.russiajournal.com/node/3947|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307214842/http://russiajournal.com/node/3947|url-status=usurped|title=A business story with twists and turns|archive-date=March 7, 2016}}

:*Moscow-850, a {{Convert|73|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall wheel in Russia; Europe's tallest extant wheel when completed in 1997, until 1999

:*Eurowheel, a {{Convert|90|m|adj=on}} tall wheel in Italy; Europe's tallest extant wheel when completed in 1999, until the end of that year

Ronald Bussink{{cite web|url=http://www.bussink.com/|title=Bussink Landmarks |website=www.bussink.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}} (formerly Nauta Bussink; then Ronald Bussink Professional Rides; then Bussink Landmarks since 2008)

:Wheels of Excellence range (sold to Vekoma in 2008) has included:

:*R40: {{Convert|40|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall fixed or transportable wheel, 15 or 30 cars, 8 passengers per car

:*R50: {{Convert|50|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall fixed or transportable wheel, 18 or 36 cars, 8 passengers per car

:*R60: {{Convert|60|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall transportable wheel, 21 or 42 cars, 8 passengers per car

:*R80: {{Convert|80|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall fixed wheel, 56 cars, 8 passengers per car

:Bussink Design:

:*R80XL: {{Convert|78|m|ft|0|adj=on}} tall fixed or transportable wheel, 27 16-person cars, or 54 8-person cars

Sanoyas Rides Corporation (has built more than 80 Ferris wheels{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/docklands-troubleplagued-observation-wheel-set-to-open-in-ten-weeks/story-fni0fiyv-1226746281272|title=Docklands' trouble-plagued observation wheel set to open in ten weeks|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=October 24, 2013}})

:*Melbourne Star: {{Convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, completed 2008, rebuilt 2009–2013

{{Anchor|Senyo Kogyo}}

;Senyo Kogyo Co, Ltd.

:*Cosmo Clock 21: {{Convert|107.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, completed 1989; world's tallest 1989 to 1997; {{Convert|112.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall when re-erected in 1999

:*Diamond and Flower Ferris Wheel: {{Convert|117|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, world's second tallest when completed in 2001{{Cite web|url=http://www.senyo.co.jp/kasai/kanransya.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401234758/http://www.senyo.co.jp/kasai/kanransya.htm|url-status=dead|title=Senyo Kogyo Co, Ltd. - Diamond and Flower Ferris Wheel|archive-date=April 1, 2010}}

:*Tempozan Ferris Wheel: {{Convert|112.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, completed 1997; world's tallest 1997 to 1999

;World Tourist Attractions / Great City Attractions{{cite web|url=http://www.greatcityattractions.com/|title=GreatCityAttractions.com|website=www.greatcityattractions.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}} / Wheels Entertainments{{Cite web|url=http://freijwheels.com/|title=Freij World Attractions | A Birds-eye View}} / Freij Entertainment International[http://www.freij.com/portal/r.d.p.aspx Freij – FERRIS WHEEL] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917003825/http://www.freij.com/portal/r.d.p.aspx |date=September 17, 2013 }}

:*Belfast Wheel

:*Brighton Wheel

:*Roue de Paris

:*Royal Windsor Wheel

:*Wheel of Birmingham

:*Wheel of Brisbane

:*Wheel of Manchester

:*Wheel of Sheffield

:*Yorkshire Wheel

• List of Ferris wheels
• Gyro tower
• List of tallest buildings and structures
• Observation tower

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Ferris wheels}}

• [https://cdm17210.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/lpe/search/searchterm/Ferris%20Wheel 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Ferris Wheel] in various stages of construction from [https://cdm17210.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/ St. Louis Public Library Digital Collections]
• [https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/mc00432 Guide to the Norman D. Anderson Collection on Ferris Wheels and Related Materials circa 1890-2015]

{{Ferris wheel}}

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Category:1893 introductions

Category:American inventions

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