The first Ferris wheel

Jun. 21, 2012
 The directors of the 1893 Columbian Exposition wanted to outdo the Paris World’s Fair. The hit of that fair had been Gustave Eiffel’s soaring iron tower. On June 21st, the world saw Chicago’s answer to the challenge: George Washington Ferris’s giant wheel.

A quiz on both Chicago World's Fairs

May. 1, 2012
If you've read The Devil in the White City (isn't it required reading upon entering the city border?), you'll know at least enough to call in and let WBEZ history blogger John Schmidt quiz you about Chicago’s Columbian Exposition and 1933’s Century of Progress. To play, call 312.923.9239. We'll post the answers after the show.