London Eye
The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. Its passenger capsules provide panoramic views of London.
Observation wheel: A large rotating wheel that carries passengers in suspended cabins or capsules for elevated views. The London Eye is a prominent example of this ride type.
Millennium Commission: A British public body established to distribute National Lottery funds for projects marking the millennium. Its funding helped make the London Eye’s construction possible.
Structural engineering: The branch of engineering concerned with the strength, stability, and behavior of structures. It addresses the immense loads carried by the wheel, rim, and support.
Tourism in London: Travel to London for leisure, culture, business, or other purposes. The London Eye is one of the city’s major paid visitor attractions.
Cantilever: A structure supported at one end and projecting beyond its support. The wheel is supported from one side by an A-frame rather than a pair of towers.
David Marks: A British architect who designed the London Eye with his wife, Julia Barfield. His architectural practice developed the winning observation-wheel proposal.
Wheel and axle: A simple machine in which a wheel turns around an axle to transmit motion or force. The London Eye’s rim rotates around a central axle held by its support structure.
Panoramic photography: Photography that captures a wide field of view, often by stitching or using specialized optics. The elevated capsules offer broad city views suited to panoramic images.
Passenger capsule: An enclosed cabin designed to carry passengers on a transport system or ride. Each London Eye capsule carries visitors around the wheel while providing wide views.
Julia Barfield: A British architect who designed the London Eye with her husband, David Marks. She co-created the proposal that turned the millennium brief into the London Eye.