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The story of the London Eye
The story of the London Eye
The Essential Eye is the official book of London’s favourite new landmark – ‘the largest observation wheel in the world’ – and is the perfect souvenir of a great city and an incredible feat of engineering.
A complete guide to the London Eye, this book looks at the story behind its design and construction. From the birth of the idea over the architects’ kitchen table, to the modified, finished design, the construction of each component and the final dramatic lifting.
It’s also known as the Millennium Wheel, situated on the South Bank of the River Thames in Lambeth although everyone calls it The London Eye. It stands some 443 feet tall (135 metres) and was the biggest Ferris wheel in the world until 2006, when the Star of Nanchang wheel was built in China.
The wheel has a diameter of 394 feet (120 metres) and is connected to its hub by 64 cables that function much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel.
Despite being built in 1998/1999, it didn’t get its first paying passenger until March 9, 2000. The wheel goes that slowly that it doesn’t even stop when people get on or off,unless they have a disability.
Destination :London Author/Guide: Kester Rattenbury Departure Time: 1999
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