Do you believe that the arrival of the third millennium – as counted by the Gregorian calendar – is cause for a big celebration? Whether or not you do, one thing is for sure: A lot of people all over the world are organising a huge number of events to mark the occasion.
One city that is definitely betting on the new millennium is London. Apart from all the parties and festivities that will be going on Dec. 31, 1999, the British capital will inaugurate the Millennium Dome, the biggest construction of its kind ever built. Another gigantic project, though perhaps not as publicised as the Millennium Dome, is the construction of the British Airways London Eye, the world’s tallest observation wheel (a first cousin of the Ferris wheel).
The London Eye, which has been under construction since 1997 and is scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2000, is located in Jubilee Gardens, opposite the Houses of Parliament. Sweeping the London sky at an altitude of 135 metres in a gradual 30-minute rotation, the wheel will carry 32 enclosed passenger capsules. Each can accommodate up to 25 people and is equipped with two SKF slewing bearings to keep the capsules horizontal while the wheel turns. Its special structure – the entire wheel is supported from one side only – will overhang the river, giving passengers stunning views of the city and its
landmarks.
Conceived and designed by architects Julia Barfield and David Marks, this wheel for the new millennium is a joint venture between them, British Airways and the Tussauds Group, which will also operate and manage it.
In case you can’t make it to London for the opening, don’t worry: The London Eye is scheduled to spin until 2005.