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The London Eye: A 360-degree look at the world's most iconic ferris wheel

THE LONDON EYE A 360-DEGREE LOOK AT THE WORLD'S MOST ICONIC FERRIS WHEEL Once the world's tallest ferris wheel (aka observation wheel), the London Eye is now dwarfed by the 165-metre Singapore Flyer. However, the London Eye is arguably the most iconic in the world, not to mention the tallest in the western hemisphere. This relatively new attraction has a short but illustrious history. Here we explore the history and statistics of the London Eye, as well as some of its rival superstructures. LONDON EYE BY NUMBERS 135 Metres Height 800 Passengers at Once Capacity The fourth tallest structure in London. 2,100 Tonne: Weight 3.5 Million Average Annual no. of Passengers O 424 Metres Circumference of Wheel It is the most popular tourist attraction in London today. * 7 Years From planning to opening 30 Minutes O Time It Takes to Rotate Once O 5 Nationalities Represented in Construction Team 20MI The spindle, which holds the wheel, is 20 times heavier than Big Ben. On a clear day, a passenger can see Windsor Castle 20 miles away. A RETROSPECTIVE ||||| October 1999 1998 December 31, 1999 YAYAYAYAYAYAVA 000 The London Eye is formally opened, but not to the public. The London Eye goes into construction. The London Eye is finally erected upon the Thames. February 2002 March 2001 March 9, 2000 3.5 million passengers For Valentine's Day, the London Eye announces that couples can now get married on the wheel. In its first year of operation, the London Eye "carries" more than 3.5 million passengers. The Ferris wheel is finally open to the public. September 2002 10 million March 2005 February 2006 passengers 25-YEAR For its fifth birthday, passengers are given bottles of champagne and orange juice to celebrate the occasion. The London Eye, which was originally expected to stand for just a few years, is finally granted a 25-year lease agreement. The 10 millionth passenger is flown on the London Eye. March 2007 May 2006 *: 25 million passengers The 25 millionth passenger is flown on the London Eye. Standing at 160 metres, the Star of Nanchang, an observation wheel in Jiangxi, China, claims the title of the world's tallest Ferris wheel. March 1, 2008 June 2008 August 2009 30 millionth flight The Singapore Flyer earns the title “world's tallest observation wheel." It stands at 165 metres–30 taller than the London Eye. The London Eye celebrates its 30 millionth flight. The 4D experience is launched, featuring a 3D film with in-theatre effects like wind and mist. August 2011 January 2011 November 2010 EDFENERGY London Eye Las Vegas announces plans to erect an observation wheel that will snatch the Singapore Flyer's record by just one metre. The London Eye is renamed the EDF Energy London Eye after entering a partnership with the company. An open air ice skating rink is opened near the London Eye for Christmas holiday. THE FIGHT FOR HEIGHT Since the erection of the first Ferris wheel in 1893, the title for the tallest has been an intense battle. What city will be next? Earls Court, London The Chicago Wheel 1893 (dismantled in 1906) The Great Wheel 1895 (dismantled in 1907) Grande Roue de Paris 1900 (dismantled in 1920) Cosmo Clock 21/ Tempozan Ferris Wheel * 1989/1999 Nanching, China Tokyo, Japan The Star of Nanchang 2006 Daikanransha The London Eye 2000 1999 The Las Vegas plans have not been finalised. Will the city earn the title or will Singapore retain bragging rights? TO Fabulous LAS VEGAS NEVADA Singapore Flyer 2008 Las Vegas 2011 *The wheel was renamed and gained five metres following its move in 1999. SOURCES: LONDONEYE.COM, NEWS.BBC.CO.UK, CHANNELNEWSASIA.COM, REUTERS.COM, TRAVEL.USATODAY.COM Confused.com 108 / 113 Metres 160 Metres - 166 Metres 100 Metres 135 Metres 94 Metres 165 Metres 115 Metres II 80 Metres

The London Eye: A 360-degree look at the world's most iconic ferris wheel

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Confused.com

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london travel

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Geography
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