London Eye Is A Revolving Observation Wheel, Or Ferris Wheel, In London, On The South Bank Of The River Thames Editorial Image

With funding from British Airways. Construction began in 1998, and the wheel was put together over the river, in a horizontal position, before being pulled upright. The London Eye was ceremonially “opened” by Prime Minister Tony Blair on December 31, 1999, but did not admit its first paying passenger until March 9, 2000. Originally scheduled to be dismantled after five years, it was kept in place because of continued popularity. In 2006 a decorative LED lighting system was installed in order to make the wheel more prominent after dark.