George Washington Gale Ferris: 1859-1896

Civil Engineer

wheeladjFerris worked in Allegheny as a designer and builder of railroads, tunnels and bridges. He developed the new profession of testing and inspecting structural iron and steel. In response to the challenge given American engineers, he invented the Ferris Wheel for the Chicago World’s Fair 1893. The original wheel rose 250 feet in the air and carried 36 cars.