Reisenrad

Ferris wheel Fer"ris wheel An amusement device consisting of a giant power-driven vertically oriented steel wheel, revolvable on its horizontal stationary axle, and carrying a number of balanced passenger cars or open seats around its rim; the seats are suspended so as to remain horizontal as the wheel rotates, and, depending on the size of the wheel, the passengers when they reach the top may have a grand vista of the surrounding area; -- so called after G. W. G. Ferris, American engineer, who erected the first of its kind for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Note: Ferris wheels are often found at traveling fairs and at permanent amusement parks. The {Reisenrad} in Vienna is one of the world's largest and most famous Ferris wheels. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]