Google Doodle marks George Ferris’ birthday on Valentine’s Day

Google’s latest interactive homepage celebrates the birthday of the creator of the Ferris wheel

15:23 14 February 2013

Google are celebrating the 154th birthday of George Ferris, the man who designed the Ferris wheel, this Valentine’s Day. The search engine giant is marking the occasion by having an interactive homepage for February 14th.

Internet explorers can click a heart shaped button on Google’s homepage to activate two animated Ferris wheels, one red, one yellow. This then leads to two animals being paired up, as a nod to Valentine’s Day no doubt.

Among the animals to feature in the cartoon, a bear and an octopus are shown to go out for a meal by a series of images. With another turn of the wheel, Google reveal another pair of animals (including a rabbit who pulls items out of a hat for a dolphin!).

The backdrop for this latest Google Doodle is a fairground where rollercoaster rides are visibly in action.

Mr. Ferris, who was born in Illinois, USA, on February 14th, 1859, first built the Ferris wheel for a showcase in Chicago in 1893.

The event was known as the World’s Columbian Exposition, and Mr. Ferris along with many other engineers hoped to create a structure that would surpass France’s Eiffel Tower. His idea was to have a tall structure which rotated, with cabins attached to it.

Ferris wheels, which are usually associated with fairgrounds, allow spectators to enjoy views from up high. More recently Ferris wheels have become prominent displays around city centres, including the UK’s famous London Eye, which stands at 135metres tall on the River Thames.

The largest Ferris wheel is believed to be situated in Singapore, which is 165metres tall.