Construction of the Wonder Wheel began in 1918, and it opened on Memorial Day in 1920. It was built in Coney Island by Herman Garms and Bethlehem Steel. The wheel weighs 400,000 pounds, stands 150 feet tall, and was the tallest in the world. It has a capacity of 144 people and is the only wheel of its kind in the world, featuring 16 swinging cars and 8 stationary cars. Over 30 million riders used it without a single accident in 89 years. It was declared an official NYC landmark in 1989.
