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IN THE NEWS
TOUR OF THE MONTH
ON THIS DAY IN LONDON
24th August 1967 The Beatles met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at The Park Lane Hilton.
24th August 1961 Born today: Mark Bedders Bedfored, London, rock bassist (Madness)
24th August 1961 Mad Men actor Jared Harris was born in London.
24th August 1957 Comedian Stephen Fry born in Hampstead, London.
24th August 1954 William Heatherton's Reluctant Debutante, premieres in London
24th August 1940 Luftwaffe bombs London
24th August 1591 Bachelor Poet Robert Herrick was born in Cheapside, London.
Earls Court Big Wheel
This was where the first London Eye used to be before the wars.
Location: Earl's Court, London
Description: Here was the pre-cursor to the London Eye, built for the exhibition at Earls Court in 1894 and capable of carrying 1,200 passengers within its 40 carriages. It was modelled on the original one in Chicago. This wheel stayed in service until 1906 by which time it had carried over 2.5 million passengers.
It was built by two young Australian engineers named Adam Gaddelin and Gareth Watson and was the first of over 200 ferris wheels that they built world-wide.
One night the wheel got stuck and those in the upper carriages who couldnt climb down had to stay there all night. Coffee and sandwiches were hoisted up and the prisoners were brought down by the fire brigade the following day and compensated.
Historical
Disaster
Ranking This Month: 664/2717
Pages Hit This Month: 64
Link to This Page: http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location/492
Credits: http://www.studygroup.org.uk/Journals/Content/The%20Gigantic%20Wheel%20and%20Recreation%20Towers%20Co.htm
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This was where the first London Eye used to be before the wars. |
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