The London Eye defines the modern skyline of the British capital. While millions of tourists ride it every year, few know the engineering struggles that almost stopped it from turning. For instance, the architects designed it as a temporary structure that the city planned to dismantle after five years. Furthermore, a famous business rival flew a blimp over the site to mock the construction team when they failed to lift the wheel. Prepare to see London from a new angle.
London Eye
London Eye is technically not a Ferris wheel. Engineers define it as a “cantilevered observation wheel” because an A-frame supports it on only one side. Unlike a traditional Ferris wheel, the carriages sit on the outside of the rim rather than hanging underneath it.
The capsules represent the boroughs of London. The wheel features 32 capsules to honor the 32 boroughs that make up the city. However, the architects numbered them from one to thirty-three because they skipped number thirteen for good luck.
Superstition removed the thirteenth capsule. Builders refused to include a capsule numbered thirteen because they feared bad luck. Therefore, if you hop into the capsule labeled 33, you are actually in the 32nd car.
It moves too slowly to stop for passengers. The wheel rotates at a leisurely speed of 26 centimeters per second. Consequently, people just step on and off the moving capsule while the wheel continues its rotation.
You can see the Queen’s weekend home on a clear day. The view stretches for approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) in all directions. Thus, sharp-eyed visitors can spot Windsor Castle way out in the west when the weather cooperates.
Sir Richard Branson pulled a massive prank during construction. British Airways, the original sponsor, had trouble lifting the wheel upright. Therefore, Branson flew a Virgin Atlantic airship over the site that displayed the message “BA Can’t Get It Up.”
It was originally a temporary structure. Officials granted planning permission for only five years. However, the attraction became so popular that the local council decided to keep it permanently, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Kate Moss holds the celebrity record for visits. The British supermodel has ridden the wheel an impressive 25 times. In contrast, Jessica Alba holds the record for the most rides by a Hollywood actress with 31 loops.
London Eye carries more people than a fleet of buses. A single rotation takes about 30 minutes and carries 800 passengers. This capacity equals roughly 11 double-decker red buses filled to the brim.
The oil is harmless to the environment. The hydraulic motors require massive amounts of lubrication to turn the wheel. However, the team uses special biodegradable oil that will not harm the wildlife in the River Thames if a leak occurs.
A previous Great Wheel existed in the Victorian era. Long before the Millennium Wheel, London boasted the “Great Wheel” at Earl’s Court. It opened in 1895 and ran until 1906, but it eventually stuck and trapped passengers for a whole night.
The lighting system uses advanced LEDs. Originally, workers had to change fluorescent tubes manually with gels. Now, a computer controls LED lights that can produce any color pattern instantly for special events like New Year’s Eve.
It attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal. With over 3.75 million visitors annually, it beats many ancient wonders of the world. In fact, it also receives more paid visitors than the Pyramids of Giza.
The entire London Eye floated up the river. Construction teams built the sections on barges and floated them down the Thames to the South Bank. Afterward, they assembled it flat on the river before they hoisted it into the upright position.
Finally, you can get married inside a capsule. The “Cupid’s Capsule” offers private packages for weddings and proposals. Staff serve champagne and truffles while the happy couple rotates high above the Houses of Parliament.
