Wheels Of Fortune

  Whether you love it or hate it, the British Airways London Eye has become an integral part of Britain’s capital. As integral as, say, Queen Elizabeth and her highly dysfunctional family, British bulldogs, afternoon tea, Indian cuisine and Hugh Grant. In fact, no longer are Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London the big-boy monuments they once were; rising high on the South Bank beside the River Thames, the Tussauds Group–owned British Airways London Eye has proved its critics wrong every step of the way. Standing proud as a 21st-century icon and outselling every other paid visitor attraction in the UK, no wonder so many are proud to be British.

  Designed by husband-and-wife architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, the British Airways London Eye – which was initially called the Millennium Wheel, before being renamed after its sponsor – was the largest in the world. Launched by Tony Blair on 31 December 1999, it didn’t actually open to the public until March 2000 due to technical difficulties. Despite the false start and being labelled a "white elephant" by the likes of former Tory minister Lord St John of Fawsley - who hoped it would be moved to a more suitable site at the “earliest possible moment” - the wheel has now earned its right to exist (sadly, the same can’t be said for the Millennium Dome, recently renamed The O2 in a bid to continue beating the dead horse). Having won more than 40 awards for tourism and architecture, as well as clocking up 3.5-million visitors per year during its eight-year stretch, the British Airways London Eye has become one of Britain’s most brazen triumphs.

  So what does it do and how does it do it? Comprising 32 air-conditioned passenger capsules that are each capable of accommodating 25 snap-happy tourists, the 40-kilometre panoramic view from the top is simply breathtaking. In fact, it’s the kind of view you couldn’t buy at an overpriced London hotel suite even if you wanted to – yes, even at Claridge’s. Taking about 30 minutes to complete one full revolution, the moving experience is all thanks to the central hub and 23-metre-long spindles, which are connected to 80 spokes – similar to the structure of a bicycle wheel. With 1,700-tonnes of British steel packed into it, the wheel was shipped up the River Thames in sections on large barges and then erected right on the bank. With the hub and spindle alone weighing more than 330-tonnes, it’s hardly surprising that it took a week to lift it from a horizontal position to the vertical one we recognise today.

  As well as being famous for its design, the wheel has been made even more famous for a couple of incidents that have unfolded since its inauguration; in 2003 madman magician David Blaine stood on top of one of its capsules for a complete 30-minute revolution; in 2004 a Fathers for Justice campaigner climbed the wheel and spent 18 hours on top of one of its capsules, before coming down with his tail between his legs; and in 2005 the attraction temporarily closed after a metal pin came loose and fell onto a pod below, causing glass to fall onto passengers. Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the wheel has continued to enjoy its blissful success – benefiting, even, from the extra publicity.

  Looking back on his work of art, architect David Marks says modestly: “Few people could have predicted that enormous success. It has transformed the London skyline and played an important economic role in regenerating the South Bank and in maintaining tourism for London.” That’s probably why cities across the globe are trying to mimic its success with bigger, wider, more expensive wheels. Only time will tell if they, like London’s, prove to be wheels of fortune.
www.londoneye.com

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby

  OK, so the British Airways London Eye wasn’t the first ever observation wheel, but it is the world’s most iconic. Nevertheless, if you find yourself elsewhere in the world be sure to check out these other wonder wheels, some of which are still under construction.

Eye On Malaysia, Malaysia (www.eyeonmalaysia.com.my)
The Star Of Nanchang, Nanchang (www.sameco.net)
Great Beijing Wheel, Beijing (www.greatwheel.com)
The Singapore Flyer, Singapore (www.thesingaporeflyer.com.sg)
The Southern Star, Melbourne (www.waterfrontcity.com.au)
V2 Observation Wheel, Las Vegas (www.voyager-ent.com)

About the author:

  Nick studied at Sussex University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies. When he’s not writing – which isn’t often – he enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, downloading music, eating out and travelling as much as he possibly can; Marbella, Miami, London and Phuket are his favourite places in the world.

  Nick has worked on a number of newspapers, magazines and websites – including Caché, Colures and AskMen.com - and specialises in popular culture, luxury and travel. He particularly enjoys writing about all that is beautiful in the world, including luxury hotels, trendy restaurants andthe latest gadgetry for the home. If it’s hip and gorgeous, Nick will have something to say about it.

  He is currently working on his first children’s book, which hasgenerated interest from a number of London-based publishers, and runs his own online magazine at www.gunpowder-magazine.com.