The world's highest observation
wheel (a type of Ferris wheel).
The British Airways
London Eye (Millennium Wheel) stands 135 metres (443 feet) high on the South
Bank of the River Thames between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges. It is the
world's highest observation wheel.
The wheel was
constructed in sections which were floated up the river Thames on barges and
assembled lying flat on pontoons. Once the wheel was complete it was raised
into its upright position by cranes, initially being lifted at a rate of about
2 degrees per hour until it reached 65 degrees.
The total weight of
steel in the Eye is 1,700 tonnes.
