Tony Blair

On The Last day of the year in 1999 , thousands of celebration of the River Thames in London, which gathered on the shore to wait for the spectacular fireworks ushering in the new Millennium.

But at the end of the century, But only the beginning for what is now an integral part of the city, the Skyline , The Millennium Wheel. To wish is triggered in the peace and prosperity of The Nation , the Prime Minister , Tony Blair , a laser beam to mark a cross on the River Thames , The Wheel 's official opening.

The Landmark now known as the London Eye, a rotation, albeit without passengers. A technical Problem That meant it was only in March 2000, the audience was able to go overboard.

In the 20 years That night since this New Year 's eve, The Eye is now an integral part of the London Skyline , despite the fact That the structure was actually temporarily in place.

135m (443ft) tall, the boom-Ferris wheel is a work of art That both the vision and engineering.

It was the brainchild of husband-and-wife team David Marks and Julia Barfield , from Marks Barfield Architects, the in the year 1993 in their design in a competition for the architecture Foundation and The time, The Best idea for a country brand to welcome in the new century.

Mr Mark who died two years ago, liked the idea of a Big Wheel , because he wanted something That the people can participate and enjoy while high, according to Ms. Barfield.

"David, The Wheel was felt to be appropriate as a symbol for time and the symbolic, it is," Ms Barfield. "It is, in fact, where The Journey is just as important as The Arrival - The View unfolds as you go. "

The judges were not impressed with their idea, or at all the entries That were rejected. But with a lot of time and effort in the application, the couple decided That they would drive forward and Set Up The Millennium Wheel company.

it lacked financial support at this point - your industry in a recession, But both were convinced of the assessment of The Project .

Ms Barfield attended, have decided to go to the Ferris wheel is positioned in the vicinity of the River Thames , on The South Bank near County Hall .

you need to But it was a considerable complication - not to one's own country. It was one of the Arts Council (AC), which had leased it to The South Bank Centre (SBC).

After lengthy negotiations with both the AC and SBC have agreed on the architects to take advantage of the country, and this led to Lambeth Borough Council for the issuance of The First building permit.

However, this was only The First hurdle. A far greater was to find a way to have The Money for the multi-million-pound project.

According to Ms Barfield, she had a stroke of luck, when a journalist from the London Evening Standard newspaper came out in their planning application, and it is brought to the attention of The Paper -the editor.

The Standard -a decided to support you and Re-launched "wheel" Campaign .

This is the dealer is the starting point for discussions with various potential money, including The Chief executive of British Airways , Sir Bob Ayling. The airline decided to Finance The Project in exchange for 50% of The Millennium Wheel Company.

The architects were able to secure additional funding and submit a full planning proposal.

Ms Barfield said she and her husband had represented to conversations with at least 25 groups and companies, London, as well as the 32 districts.

Marks Barfield has been. with the help of computer-aided design, or CAD, to create the of the mid-90s in the location, images That were much more impressive than what we had before, Ms Barfield said it really helped to sell The Project , and the plans were finally approved in 1996 .

But , according to Ms. Barfield, The Project was still in danger of shipwreck.

There is The Secretary for The Environment , John Gummer , to the state, could call for a review of the application, which could not afford to delay The Project

"wouldn't have happened If he had it. We said no means for a delay," Ms Barfield.

It is a vocal opponents in the Form of The Chairman of The Royal Fine Art Commission and a former Tory minister Lord St John of the was, of the Fawsley, who said The Wheel would be a "White Elephant ".

"he took to it immediately," said Ms. Barfield, although The Chairman of English Heritage , Jocelyn Stevens , was the more to support. He was quoted as saying: "we should embrace and celebrate the heritage of The Future , as well as The Past ".

source: Coca-Cola London Eye

the construction of The Eye in 1998. It was transported in sections and along the River Thames , by boat, before the installation on the construction site. About 1,700 tonnes of British Steel in the construction were used.

you stay upright, The Wheel is a massive Central hub, and the spindle is 23 metres long and weighs 330 tons.

Originally, The Wheel was 60 sleeves what every minute on The Clock , But after the Test, in a ski resort, it was decided That it would be the 32. As a cost-effective, this number of capsules allows a better visibility for the driver.

For Ms Barfield, a key moment, one early in the morning, as she watched from a bench on The Opposite side of The River , as The Wheel is moved from its horizontal position to the vertical.

It was, then it dawned on her, the beauty of your creation. "The Sun went behind, and it hovered over The River at a 35-degree Angle - That was something very special," She Said .

in order to test The First passengers, The Wheel , in December 1999 , mostly people who had supported The Project , or was involved in the construction, not the architect, counting almost. She received a call last minute saying it was done, and they were able to get it quickly.

"For me, The Best highlight is The Amazing pre-eminence of St Paul's Cathedral, a perspective That is prior to the not been seen before," said Ms. Barfield was.

Although Marks Barfield was behind many of the achievements of the technology, including the Brighton i360 tower and Kew Gardens " treetop walkway, Ms, Barfield remains extremely proud of The Eye

"The Ferris wheel to appreciate London and visitors, a further possibility is the capital of knowledge, and improved is by The River really the experience," She Said .

"We can't predict their success and longevity. It is very encouraging. "

Source of news: bbc.com