possibly more important than Valentine'​s Day...

NATIONAL FERRIS WHEEL DAY

February 14th is the annual celebration of the National Ferris Wheel Day. This “unofficial” holiday is held on this day to honor the birth of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.

This first Ferris Wheel was invented for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.

The original Ferris Wheel was sometimes also referred to as the Chicago Wheel.

The Ferris Wheel was the largest attraction at the Columbian Exposition with a height of 264 ft.

It has been dismantled and moved to the 1904 World’s Far in St Louis Missouri and there it was demolished in 1906.

Today the Ferris Wheel is still a popular ride in amusement parks and carnivals around the world.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Oscar season is over, but I stumbled across this winner the other day, and couldn't help but share.  The Oscar winner for the best animated short for 2012 was "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore" a charming cartoon inspired by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books.  If that mix of inspirations doesn't intrigue you I don't know what will.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adzywe9xeIU?rel=0]
To learn a little more about the film I would suggest reading Mat Goldberg's article "Must-Watch: Best Animated Short Oscar Winner, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" on Collider.com.  Want to know more about the Oscar's Animated Short category?  Peruse "Best Animated Short", by Richard Corliss on Time Entertainment, for a few facts and a rundown of the 2012 contenders.

Next week... well I don't know what I'll post next week.  You'll have to check back to find out.

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant