Chicago, Illinois—1893. The World's Columbian Exposition was looming and so was a 264-foot-tall metal wheel designed by George Ferris. It was an idea as wild and crazy as Gustav Eiffel's tower from a few years before. Despite the naysayers, it proved to be an engineering marvel..and very popular. It fit 2,160 riders at a time, and cost 50 cents to ride—twice the price of a ticket to the fair itself. It saved the fair from financial ruin. Cut to Grand Rapids, Michigan—1982. Th