The London Eye,which is 443 feet in height above the Thanes River,is the world's biggest spinning structure.It is one hundred feet taller than Big Ben,and weighs1,600 tons.It was built to celebrate the year 2,000.Maybe building such a big spinning structure suggested that people longed for bigger and better things in the future.
Why did people think of building the London Eye? In fact it was inspired by great structures of the past like the very first observation wheel built for the Chicage World Expo of 1893.It's twice the size of the wheel,but three times lighter,and much more comfortable.The London Eye is keeping natives and visitors entertained and awed.
In London Eye,there are 32 capsules.Each of the capsules can hold up to 25 people.And they're air conditioned in summer,heated in winter.From these capsules the visitors can see the most beautiful views of London.
It was difficult to assemble and put a wheel of this size.And it required new technology and a lot of imagination.The parts of London Eye were sent up the Thames River,and the wheel was assembled on temporary platforms on the river.Lifting it into an upright position was a major challenge.It took a week to winch it up to its final position.
Now the London Eye is regarded as a monument to new millennium.And many visitors from all over the world come to visitors it.