The Earl's Court Great Wheel was built in 1894-5. It was based on the
ferris wheel at the Chicago Exhibition. It was 300 feet high (90m) and had
40 cars. Each car held 40 passengers, so up to 1600 people could ride the
wheel at one time. The wheel was in operation for 12 years, during which
time this photograph was taken. The Great Wheel later became unprofitable
and was demolished in 1907.
Exhibitions at Earl's Court
The Earl's Court exhibition was built on land that became available after
the layout of the District & Western Extension Railways. In 1887, the
American Exhibition was staged there. It lasted for five months and was so
successful that it sparked an interest in future exhibitions.
Imre Kiralfy
The Hungarian showman, Imre Kiralfy later bought the Earl's Court lease.
He had previously staged spectacles in America. He rebuilt the Earl's
Court site and opened the spectacular 'Empire of India' exhibition in May
1895.