The original Ferris wheel was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.,who
was a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bridge-builder, as a landmark for the 1893 World's
Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This Exposition (also called The Chicago World's Fair),
was held in Chicago in 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher
Columbus's arrival in the New World. The name Ferris Wheel later came to be used
generically for all such rides.
Ferris wheels are typically found in amusement parks and funfairs, although since
the opening of the London Eye, both permanent or portable Ferris Wheels are
increasingly to be found in city centres, as stand alone landmark attractions.