The Norman D. Anderson Collection on Ferris Wheels and Related Materials contains manuscript materials, newsletters, research files, photographs, postcards, and publications on Ferris wheels, amusement parks, and related subjects. The primary subject of the collection is the Ferris wheel. While the focus of the material is the Ferris wheel, there is also information relating to the history of amusement parks, amusement park preservation (or lack thereof), the amusement manufacturing industry and workers in the industry, as well as other material. Included are photographs and material about the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, as well as other World's Fairs.
Dr. Norman D. Anderson is a Professor Emeritus of Science Education at North Carolina State University. In 1994 he retired after 31 years of teaching at North Carolina State University. He is a collector of materials on Ferris wheels and an ardent researcher of the Ferris wheel. Anderson authored the book Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History, published in 1992, and he is coauthor of the 1983 children's book, Ferris Wheels as well as several science books for children. Dr. Norman Anderson produced and edited the "Ferris Wheel News."
English
Language is English, with the exception of Yuko Fukui's publications (which include English translations) and material pertaining to the Risenrad at the Prater in Vienna.
Dr. Norman D. Anderson is a Professor Emeritus of Science Education at North Carolina State University. In 1994 he retired after 31 years of teaching at North Carolina State University. He is a collector of materials on Ferris wheels and an ardent researcher of the Ferris wheel. Anderson authored the book Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History, published in 1992, and he is coauthor of the 1983 children's book, Ferris Wheels as well as several science books for children. Dr. Norman Anderson produced and edited the "Ferris Wheel News." In 1994 he retired after 31 years of teaching at North Carolina State University. He is the author of a series of science textbooks for junior high school students. In 1992 he received the NCSU Libraries Faculty Award.
This collection contains manuscript materials, newsletters, research files, photographs, postcards, and publications on Ferris Wheels, amusement parks, and related subjects. The primary subject of the collection is the Ferris wheel. While the focus of the material is the Ferris wheel, there is also information relating to the history of amusement parks, amusement park preservation (or lack thereof), the amusement manufacturing industry and workers in the industry, as well as other material. Of particular interest to researchers will be the photographic collection and the material available on the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, as well as on other World's Fairs.
The collection is organized into four series: Publications, Research Files, Photographs and Images, and Ephemera.
The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
[Identification of item], Norman D. Anderson Collection on Ferris Wheels and Related Materials, MC 00432, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Norman D. Anderson, 2011 (Accession 2011.0273), 2012 (Accessions 2012.0061, 2012.0185, and 2012.0207), 2015 (Accession 2015.0019), and 2016 (Accession 2016.0273).
Processed by Judy Allen Dodson, 2011 December; machine-readable finding aid created by Judy Allen Dodson, 2011 December; finding aid updated by Todd Kosmerick, 2012 August; finding aid updated by Kelsey Chandler, 2013 March; finding aid updated by Gwynn Thayer, 2014 June; Digital materials processed by Jessica Rayman, 2016 March; Digital materials processed by Jessica Rayman, 2016 July; finding aid updated by Gwynn Thayer and Lindsey Naylor, 2016 August; Digital materials processed by Jessica Rayman, 2017 February and March; Additional digital materials processed by Taylor de Klerk, 2017 June and September.
The collection is organized into four principal series:
This series contains many of the publications present in the Norman D. Anderson Collection on Ferris Wheels and Related Materials. The most numerous publications include those of the Eli Bridge Company, the Illinois-based Ferris Wheel and amusement ride manufacturer, and the Amusement Park Journal. Anderson's "Ferris Wheel News" is included in the publication series. Other publications may also be found in the Research Files.
Issues from 1918 contain some pieces related to the war, particularly in the February 1918 issue, which includes an article on Big Eli employees involved in the military.
This edition contains information regarding the end of World War I and a frontispiece discussing the difficulties of the magazine (including paper shortages) during wartime.
This edition of Big Eli News is labeled Volume 60, Number 1 and dated Spring 1990. The label may be misprinted, as the Spring Issue of 1991 is also labeled Volume 60, Number 1.
This material could alternately be classed under research, as it is notated by Norman Anderson and its arrangement may provide insight into his research strategies and collection management.
This subseries was kept in the original order received, as it appears that the researcher utilized a notation system in these publications.
Written in pencil: "Amusement Park Journal Vol. 1 NO 1 1979"
This copy is signed, p. 4
This subseries contains various newsletters related to the amusement and entertainment business, including information on waxworks and sideshows, as well as Dr. Anderson's own Ferris Wheel Newsletter, also referred to asFerris Wheel News.
Anderson includes a note on this file, which has been copied onto the folder. Aside from a Raleigh News and Observer article on the Art-O-Mat, this file contains copies and editions of the Waxworks International newsletter, which deals primarily with the construction and display of wax figures.
A note from Anderson is reproduced on Folder 1. These newsletters were organized into one folder by Anderson and have been subsequently divided into two folders due to space constraints.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
Digital content. Copies of digital files are available upon request.
“File count is approximate and excludes system files, deleted files, and duplicates that may have been created during processing.”
These publications focus on the subject of patents. They also provide useful information on several different kinds of amusement rides.
These publications include a book of patents, the publications of Yuko Fukui (which includes a Japanese children's book on Ferris wheels), the draft of a historical fiction novel, an original, unpublished Senior Engineering thesis from Cornell University (dated 1894), and several other publications which are geared towards tourists and entertainment.
This series contains the research of Dr. Norman Anderson, pertaining to Ferris wheels and other aspects of the amusement business. The media included spans a wide variety of formats and covers a large time frame. Though the research material is dated from the nineteenth century, most of the documents are reproductions garnered from Anderson's prolific research. Dr. Anderson kindly included a preliminary finding aid to the collection for those who would like a more in-depth introduction to the materials. Arranged in subseries as organized by Anderson.
This document provides an itemized list of the first 418 items in Anderson's research collection, as well as useful information on the materials. Recommended to researchers.
The Columbian Exposition in Chicago, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was held in Chicago, Illinois in 1893. The material in this subseries represents a vast amount of research conducted by Dr. Anderson regarding the fair. Documents are listed in order according to Anderson's numbering system.
This folder includes reproduced informative material and correspondence from a vast range of dates. Though primarily contains information from the 19th and 20th centuries, it also includes earlier information,including a photocopy of A Memoir of Sylvanus Ferris 1773-1861, published by his descendant, Charles Ferris Getteny, in 1935. It also includes a photocopy ofCar No. A Romance of the Ferris Wheel, The Narrative of James Black (original dated 1893).
This folder includes a photocopied editiorial cartoon regarding the "Desperate Case" of Forest Park in St. Louis and copies of newspaper articles regarding exhibitions, in addition to other materials.
Includes American Scientist, May-June 1993 andMechanical Engineering, June 1993, in addition to other articles.
Includes a photocopy from American Girl magazine, a publication by the Girl Scouts of America.
Photocopies from World's Fair "Puck" magazine, as well as correspondence relating to research and information on steel and iron manufacturing
Includes a souvenir booklet and a color-illustrated publication produced by The Chicago Tribune.
This material primarily concerns Anderson's Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History and information on the London Eye.
A.K. Brill was 20th century builder and showman.
Contains material pertaining to Chance amusement ride manufacturing company.
This research file contains information accquired from and correspondence with Mike Chew.
Most of this material is interesting from a historical and artifactual perspective. While much of the material is photographic, booklets, ticket stubs, and other ephemera is included. This includes two covers from Osteopathic Magazine, circa 1930s. There are also several pieces related to the Risenrad Ferris Wheel in Vienna, Austria at the Prater.
Includes memorial booklet for W.E. Sullivan (1861-1932), The Optimist, October 1916 and Big Eli: The Men and their Ferris Wheels.
Includes Big Eli Wheel Parts List (1983), price lists, and a publication of "Big Eli: The Men and their Ferris Wheels," along with other material related to the Eli Bridge Company and their Ferris Wheels.
In addition to related articles, this file contanis: a big Eli Pricing guide, Eli Bridge Company Operation and Maintenance of Big Eli Wheels guide, Eli Bridge Company Wheel ads, product diagrams and photos from 1985, Instructions for Erecting and Operating Big Eli Wheels, and other related publications.
English, Japanese, and French.
Various materials sent by Yuko Fukui to Norman Anderson, including collectible pins from Japan's Wonder Wheel and a copy of 19th century piano sheet music entitled, "An Afternoon in Midway Plaisance." This folder consists mostly of correspondence between Fukui and Anderson concerning Ferris wheels. The focus is on Japanese Ferris wheels.
Includes Floppy Disks with Tiff files.
This folder contains research from the 1990s and early 2000s, with information primarily pertaining to the early to mid 1900s.
Includes account of seeing Halley's comet in 1910, xerox copy of St. Louis World's Fair fairground map, and correspondence with Eleanor Harris.
Contains material related to the Herschell-Spillman Carousel Company that emerged in the early 1900s.
Information pertaining to Charles E. Islieb, a Ferris Wheel builder and operator. Most of the material relates to the early 20th century.
All information contained in this file pertains to C.W. Parker, popularly known as the "Carnival King."
Research, material, and correspondence relating to Richard Weingardt.
Though most of the material related to the Aerio-Cycle dates to the early 1900s, there is a range of research material in this file dating from the early 1900s to later in the 20th century.
No Subnote Content
Charles W.P. Dare was a bulider of wooden Ferris Wheels in the 1870s. This folder includes photocopied material from that era, as well as correspondence from the 1980s pertaining to the Dare Wheel.
The material included after the folder was originally stored in the folder by Dr. Anderson, but removed due to preservation concerns. Includes information pertaining to the death and remembrance of historian, Ray Clary.
Material pertains to Stroble Manufacturing Company of Marion, Ohio (circa early 1900s).
Includes photograph from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism of a Ferris Wheel at Magic Springs Family Fun Park.
Includes an article on a minority park in Kentucky entitled "Park Season for Negroes." The article is dated July 21, 1923.
In addition to varied material relating to amusements in Minnesota, including Knott's Camp Snoopy, this file contains a reproduction copy of a photograph from the 1937 Minnesota State Fair and an original color booklet on the Swooper ride from the late 1920s, featuring extensive illustrations. Between the 1937 photograph and the Swooper booklet was originally placed the folder on the Harris papers, which has since been moved into a subsequent file for preservation purposes.
Includes a 1920s era color brochure for Bertrand Island Park on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey with graphics.
Also includes a copy of an article on Coney Island's Museum from the Scientific American, June 1930.
The dates in this file range throughout the 1900s, with some information garnered in the 2000s, though this information was gathered at that date and the information it contains is dated earlier.
Contains one article from The National Amusement Park Historical Association, "When is a Park a Park?"
English and Arabic
This folder contains Ferris Wheel information from a variety of cultures and time periods. Most of the information is twentieth century of later, but some materials provide information on devices simmilar to Ferris Wheels in antiquity.
English and French.
English and Japanese.
English and Russian.
The Amusement Business magazine dated August 10, 1968, contains an article on Freak Shows in North Carolina following a feature on Moscow's Gorgi Park. Also includes American Travel magazine pages from 1939 discussing travel to Moscow.
Most of the material in this folder ranges in date from the 1950s to the 2000s. Some of the material relates to subjects dating back to the late nineteenth-century, though most of the research was conducted in the 2000s.
Original folder labeled, "to the office ND anderson 356 Pope"
These patents pertain to Ferris Wheels and other amusement park rides. They appear to be part of the research compiled for Dr. Anderson's book Amusement Rides and Devices: A Compilation of United States Patents. (Published 1989)
This material appears to be information (mostly United States Patents) pulled for Appendix B of Dr. Anderson's Amusement Rides and Devices. This information also includes an edited index from the aforementioned text.
These materials also include material pertaining to Paul Braithwaite's work, including a publication entitled Roundabout Patents and corrections and additions to this publication.
Though photographs and images are located throughout the Research Files, this series is comprised mostly of photographs and images used in Dr. Norman Anderson's books. These include several juvenile science books as well as Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History. The images may span centuries in origin, but the dates given are the dates relevant to the publication of the book.
These images were used in Dr. Anderson's publications: Halley's CometandFireworks! Pyrotechnics on Display. Both books are juvenile educational texts.
These images were used in a juvenile nonfiction book entitled Halley's Comet by Norman D. Anderson and Walter R. Brown.
The date ranges of this material are extensive, though all images pertain to early Ferris wheels and many are of Ferris Wheels in the Middle East.
Includes a variety of Ferris Wheel images, as well as images with captions from Dr. Anderson's Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History.
This material may or may not have been used in Anderson's text Ferris Wheels: An Ilustrated History. However, these images did not appear related to the other publication images in this grouping.
This series of Ephemera contains material that Anderson included in the final boxes of the collection. While the material is varied, it contains souvenir maps, photocopies, and a very interesting collection from Dahlinger's materials featuring antique photographs and early twentieth-century correspondence from the Eli Bridge Company.
These photographs were grouped together in a box, though their relationship is unspecified.
This page is from a paper company's mail-order catalog. It includes information on postcards and, interestingly, a "Ferris Wheel Post Card Display Rack."
This photograph is labeled CEC- 191 on the original packaging material. This refers to Columbian Exposition Chicago, Item 191. Though Dr. Anderson does not use this number in his supplementary list of Columbian Expositon materials [included in Box 6], this piece corresponds with those materials.
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Norman D. Anderson Collection on Ferris Wheels and Related Materials, MC 00432, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
