Did Grandpa Darling ride the first Ferris Wheel?

In 1893 Chicago hosted the World’s Columbian Exposition. There were many inventors and exhibits. Among them was engineer George Ferris who introduced the world to his soon-to-be iconic Ferris Wheel.

The Wheel stood 264 feet high and had a diameter of 250 feet. Each of the structure’s 36 cars could hold 60 to 65 people. Folks stood in long lines to pay 50 cents each to ride on the slowly spinning marvel.

My great-great grandfather was living in the city, in Little Italy. He was studying to become a dentist. My great grandmother was a toddler.

Oh, how I wish I could sit with them both and talk about their memories of this time.

ajh

$312.32 for a map on canvas of Chicago in 1893! I thought Walmart was supposed to be cheap!

$312 and 32¢

I’d love to have one of these on my walls. But three hundred dollars! Why so pricey?

Sure, it’s nice and big at 36 by 54 inches, which translate to three by four and a half feet. The entire piece is actually a little bigger than that, but the image dimensions appear to be 36 by 54.

I wonder where it is made. China? Wouldn’t surprise me. What is the mark up? What does it cost to produce and how much money is the retailer, in this case Walmart, make off of a sale?

ajh