Defunctland: A Roundabout History of the Ferris Wheel

Buy Defunctland T-Shirts:
teespring.com/...
Donate on Patreon:
/ defunctland
In the Season 3 Premiere, Kevin and company go all the way back to the 19th century to explore the origins of World's Fairs, the Ferris Wheel, and much much more.
Selected or Major Sources:
America at the Great Exhibition of 1851 Author(s): Marcus Cunliffe Source: American Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Summer, 1951), pp. 115-126 Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press
www.nga.gov/re...
www.arthurchand...
encyclopedia.ch...
www.hydeparkhis...
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Facebook Group:
/ defunctland-1142494142...
Defunctland Twitter:
/ defunctland
Defunctland Subreddit:
/ defunctland
Contact:
[e-mail]
For more great content, visit defunctland.com

[@lanceturley7745]

I love the idea of someone getting halfway through a ten hour toboggan ride, and thinking "Man, I really should have taken the train."

[@Arjay404]

"I want to get off Toboggan Ride 1!"

[@JosiahDaAsian]

Toboggan Ride 1 has crashed! 1 person died in the accident!

[@GreatMewtwo]

@@Arjay404 Toboggan Ride 1 has broken down (Safety Cut-out/Emergency Stop).

[@GreatMewtwo]

51% through the ride: I think I left my hat in New York.

[@RatelHBadger]

"Toboggan 1 looks too intense for me"

[@taveshii]

I want to live in the universe where France's most famous structure is the Eiffel guillotine

[@voiceofraisin3778]

That idea got cut!

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

@@voiceofraisin3778 Take my like you bastard 🤣😂

[@canadey97]

It's never too late lol

[@theferretmasre5090]

Naw... they will design the laser guillotine.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

@matt fahringer Gomen-nasai.

[@Maswartz226]

I kept expecting him to say "and that farmer's son's name was Michael Eisner"

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

nope instead it lead to the guy that is the reason Michael Eisner even had a job

[@michaeleisner4758]

That’s me

[@mevb]

Wouldn't make sense since Eisner was born in 1942 and the Ferris Wheel was up and running in 1893, neraly 50 years before Mike was born.

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

might want to change a digit in your comment there you are making him sound like a timelord

[@Undrave]

Or at least his grandpa or something XD

[@PoleTooke]

“A courteous precaution that would have saved absolutely no one” Literally a perfect summary of 99% of safety features back then

[@timothymclean]

And only 60% of safety features today.

[@MultiDanak]

I mean, it was a "safety feature" on an insanely unsafe thing so... I don't think that's the point/joke.

[@PoleTooke]

@@timothymclean lmao

[@atariblue]

"Which means someone wasn't charging enough to see the largest fork and knife in the world" Oh, how I love your snark.

[@tiredpenguin8840]

Okay but how big WAS the fork and knife

[@Ricardo-x1t1n]

I thought we were talking about the double Ferris wheel?

[@davidmatoushek9111]

So it looks like we are not only getting the birth of theme parks, but also the early years of Walt Disney this season. I can't wait to see where this goes.

[@sadieluellen9193]

yeah who would of thoguht "Uncle Walt's" Dad was their at the birth of the farris wheel and in return would give US the birth of One of the most powerful film studios of all time.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@sadieluellen9193 Walt didn't have that though, that was Eisner and Iger. Walt had a brilliant film studio, but not powerful at all.

[@mariokarter13]

There was a disturbing lack of trains this episode.

[@ironwolf3654]

David Matoushek me too I was actually surprised when he said walt

[@RatelHBadger]

​@@mariokarter1316:10 bobsled railway?

[@foreverjetspacefella9980]

“A dime a dozen, or three dollars a dozen, when adjusted for inflation.” This is the kind of humour I like.

[@flyingtoast27]

The humor all throughout this video is so dry, I love it

[@AJayAnswersYou]

"He did not get the full profits, he then went bankrupt and his wife left him." Sounds like a really bad day.

[@maddiegrace9787]

AND he died of typhoid at 37

[@BonniesMinion]

Must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed

[@Ron-np9rp]

Sounds really american.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@Ron-np9rp Wright brothers comes to mind.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

maddie grace Man, life was not kind to this man.

[@zzammmsss]

"The farmer names their son Roy" oh my god "He named his 4th son Walter" OH MY GOD

[@sclint1427]

THERE HE IS

[@gentrydean3789]

That was sublime.

[@laneyhesse8102]

Uncle Walt always finds a way…to be in defunctland videos…

[@tysargent9647]

Oh my God is right! The man who created the Ferris wheel is related to Walt Disney!

[@breakingbacon658]

His 5th son… Michael Eisner

[@djdsf]

Fun fact: in Peru, we call the Ferris Wheel, a "Rueda de Chicago" which translates to Chicago's Wheel.

[@rasmusdegn9690]

And in Denmark we call it the "Pariserhjul" which translates to Parisian Wheel.

[@erin5367]

Wow that's fascinating

[@geckovonparsley8200]

It's called a "Pariserhjul" in Sweden, too. I recall being confused by the name "Ferris Wheel" as a child starting to learn English, as I had no idea of its origins.

[@thefroggy5240]

In Brazil it's Roda Gigante (Giant Wheel).

[@trubbeltron]

@@thefroggy5240 in dutch its "reuzenrad" which also translates to Giants Wheel

[@aidanswiftofficial]

Can't wait for Defunctland Season 3: Episode 2 - The History of the World's Largest Fork and Knife

[@Irobert1115HD]

forknife.

[@tinkagain6217]

“Spork: A utensil before it’s time”

[@austinreed7343]

Aidan Swift That could be a minisode like Bear Country.

[@Dickinabox]

Episode 3 the history of the hoochie coochie

[@mildredpierce4506]

Knork

[@kathrynfuller531]

gustave eiffel: “we need a 1,000 foot tower to celebrate the strength and innovations of our nation for the worlds stage! any ideas boys?” exposition universelle engineers: g u i l l o t i n e

[@nygren83]

They could have had giant inflatable Marie Antoinette heads that they would have popped with their giant guillotine. Fun for the whole family! They'd just have to remember to put eight feet of feathers under the blade for safety, you wouldn't wan't it to break on impact.

[@BeantownMrs]

I'm actually kind of disappointed by the choice of the tower. I mean, what could possibly go wrong with 1000 foot guillotine?

[@WickedPhase]

This comment made my day lmao

[@nightflyer3242]

TO THE GUILLOTINE!!

[@viridian5maureen853]

A non-functioning guillotine though. The jokes make themselves.

[@eghawkeye]

Me: why the heck is he talking about the farmer Kevin: “Walt” Oh goodness

[@laceylance4636]

RIGHT! So excited about this season.

[@michelle1]

I admit I really had no idea about the farmer, either. Didn't even see it coming until the child Roy...and even then was not sure. This is pretty impressive.

[@jgallardo7344]

I was like Roy...Walt....wait a second! P

[@TheAutisticKeybladeWielder]

@@jgallardo7344 COINCIDENCE?!

[@seijuruhiko]

I figured it out pretty quickly. Its hard to talk about the history of the world's fair without a certain name popping up pretty quickly.

[@markmeyers62]

“What happens if the cord holding the cart breaks?” “Feathers, like a lot of feathers, it’ll be like a pillow.”

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Very nice quotes.

[@Jwarrior987]

I love how chill Eiffel is: Make an elegant iron tower for France? Of Course! Make a statue for a paying America? Certainly! Help an American city beat his own tower? Sure, why not!

[@GreatMewtwo]

Also Eiffel: Why not? A man's gotta eat.

[@timothymclean]

If the Colombian Exposition needed to turn to Eiffel to surpass Eiffel's creation, that would only make Eiffel seem like an even more peerless architect.

[@SamanthaPortUkulele]

"The centennial exposition drew in over 10 million visitors, which makes sense because the fair had the largest fork and knife in the world." Not gonna argue with that!

[@LordDragox412]

His spoon was too big, which is why there was no spoon.

[@blastinus3714]

Obviously meant for the same people who would also need a hundred-foot tall guillotine.

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Plot twist: it was really just a pitchfork and a claymore.

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

@@blastinus3714 *thousand

[@ProjectSNT]

This video about the history of the Ferris Wheel has more dramatic reveals than any modern day blockbuster.

[@DK-nv9zu]

Don’t give Hollywood any ideas

[@EBCVTV]

Courtney (ProjectSNT) I agree

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

@@DK-nv9zu ferris wheel: the origin of disneyland

[@redholm]

The reveal about who the guy he had been talking about and his son Walt gave me chills.

[@nicholasbaldwin1876]

@@redholm Yeah, he played that well

[@redram5150]

“Screw you, Paris! We are gonna have our own fair. It’ll have hookers, and blackjack... and a serial killer who built a murder castle and may also be Jack the Ripper.”

[@levelmake7758]

Red Ram Nice futurama reference.

[@Pynaegan]

"In fact, forget the fair!"

[@chazzwozzio]

Except he would have to be in two places at once to be Jack

[@redram5150]

Chad Busch way to go there, champ. You really showed me, a guy who made a clearly facetious statement

[@kylenielsen5083]

@@chazzwozzio how?

[@laceylance4636]

“The wheel was destroyed in the most graceful, respectful, and safest way possible - by 300 pounds of dynamite.” This is the humor I live for. Great video Kevin. Can’t wait to see where you take us through season 3!

[@troodon1096]

Honestly I thought the best line was "World's Fairs were becoming a dime a dozen, or three dollars a dozen, adjusted for inflation."

[@Paradox_Incognito]

If I were a ferris wheel, I'd want to go out with a bang like that lol

[@stellaluna92]

That along with the delivery of the largest knife and fork comments and the progression of photos with reveal of George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. name was what got me lol

[@sage_mints29]

21:18 for anyone looking lmaoo

[@robertlauncher]

This season was peak for me. Still some great videos being put out, but man this was a rollercoaster of history

[@FixedKarma]

The fact that this entire video was essentially a segway into your series of videos focusing on Walt Disney is amazing, and I didn't even see it coming.

[@trendrekt8363]

I dont think we appreciate "A dime a dozen, or $3 a dozen when adjusted for inflation" enough

[@AdeptAscent]

Lol, “and a quickly built world’s fair hotel”, flashes picture of HH Holme’s murder hotel

[@feloniousbutterfly]

*COUGH COUGH*

[@chrislongbeard]

Holmes'

[@diskeyes]

Chris Longbeard whoooooooooo CARES

[@NatetheNerdy]

@@diskeyes I care.

[@Cross_Malaki]

The thing is, I recognized the hotel purely because of Rob Gavagan's video on Holmes.

[@RedMageUltra]

“Hey I got an idea! Let’s make a giant tower, tie an elastic cord to a room full of people and push it off the tower!” “Isn’t that extremely dangerous and life threatening?” “Oh it’s ok, I thought ahead. We’ll have some feathers on the floor in case the cord snaps.”

[@lanceturley7745]

We need at least eight feet of feathers, though, just to be safe.

[@Rick586]

Jason McGlade I think they called it “snuff,” but it was just cocaine.

[@mgthestrange9098]

It was cocaine, I think you could get it in chewing gum form. Queen Victoria was supposedly a fan.

[@AminahMosley]

RedMageUltra yeah, WTH was THAT?!

[@andyjay729]

@Jason McGlade The 1890s version of cocaine was...cocaine. Seriously, folks back then thought it was a cure-all wonder drug. Why do you think they originally put it in COKE-a Cola? (mentalfloss.com/article/57988/11-unbelievable-moments-cocaines-early-medical-history) There was also laudanum (tincture of opium). People took that shit back then like we take Advil today.

[@werewolfsbane]

you are unbelievably good at making me believe i'm living in the mid-1800's and believing all these day to day technology are the most marvelous things i've ever seen. all of this is very interesting and you definitely deserve a job at PBS doing documentarys.

[@TechnologyConnections]

"No more kerosene, and no more gas" _what a great, big beautiful tomorrow_

[@ColonelCarnage]

Milk not souring as quick as it used to

[@sirhaydn-1]

Ah yes the carousel of progress

[@SomeGuilStuff]

didnt expect you here

[@shannonolivas9524]

*"A Rascal"* what a headline for a murderer who built a hotel where he could pipe gas into people's rooms while they slept then sold their bones to medical schools. Either "rascal" has lost some of it's meaning over time, or that's a wee bit of an understatement.

[@leegizmo1234567]

Awww more murders? Alright get outta here you little rascal!

[@cleanwater3180]

Definitely lost it's punch, today, calling someone a rascal is playful like "You threw me a surprise party?! Oh you rascal you!". Back then I believe it was a insult to someone's entire family line to call out someone as a rascal, or rapscallion.

[@erwinsarm]

Have you ever read "The Devil in the White City"???? That's where all of my knowledge about The Myth, The Legend, H.H. Holmes comes from

[@Whatlander]

@Maintenance Renegade I shall henceforth reserve "rascal pirate" as an epithet for only my greatest of nemeses.

[@Roserae16]

@@leegizmo1234567 this comment has the same energy as a John Mulaney joke and I love it

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

If you took the sheer amount of snark in this particular episode and put it in a bin, it would be able to save passengers of the Death Tower if the elastic band snapped.

[@Ch5ActionNews]

>Have the Statue of Liberty's head >"Yeah thats cool, I guess" >4:10 Have the largest fork and knife >MILLIONS AND MILLIONS

[@wallclimbing1656]

I love the progression of the Defunctland cinematic universe

[@pizzaman8918]

Next up is Defunctland: Civil War Where Michael Eisner will try to undo Walt’s dream Disneyland to become Eisnerland

[@mariic2]

@@pizzaman8918 Of course, they're all fucked when Viacom gets the stones.

[@GreatMewtwo]

@@mariic2 Defunctland: Endgame

[@mariic2]

@@GreatMewtwo SpongeBob: I'm inevitable! I'm inevitable! I'm inevitable! Michael Eisner: And I... am... Michael Eisner. (SNAP!)

[@vidkidloserface]

"That man's name was George Washington..... Gale..... Ferris.... Junior." Same energy as "Smith... Zap Smith... Brannigan."

[@oiltycoonbillionaire]

Saraphim Leela tell me I’m sexy

[@erikm5221]

@@oiltycoonbillionaire never thought I'd see emporio reference futurama

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

10/10 reference

[@ZGryphon]

Also "Charles... Entertainment... Cheese."

[@CalebUlrich]

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore :D

[@DrAnimePhD]

This has to be the ultimate Defunctland episode, going back to the origin of one of the most iconic rides

[@Undrave]

maybe we'll see Roller Coasters next

[@Studio23Media]

And origins of one of the most iconic people

[@dipperdandy]

@@Studio23Media Jimmy Smits?

[@claudiobizama5603]

Alternate History where the 1000ft Guillotine is the iconic monument of Paris

[@jeremiahowens9999]

I would not stand under that

[@meraki101]

Sounds like a reality I'd want to live in.

[@completelyroundoak]

I'd love to be killed by it

[@LPOband]

I remember the day I visited Paris, their was a worship group praying in the lawn/yard right next to the Eiffel Tower. I think it would’ve been a different sort of worship group doing a very different kind of prayer if it were the 1000 ft guillotine

[@GreatMewtwo]

To be fair, Elizabeth Comstock always wanted to see Paris. But I want the tear that sends us to that universe.

[@bibliofilecrocodile]

99.9% of the video: *giggling at sarcastic comments* There is so much sass in this video. Last .1% of video: *jaw drops* ...What? WHAT?? THAT WAS THE GREATEST REVEAL!!!

[@mikevltg3]

Me during most of the video: Okay, what significance is this farmer's son supposed to have? Me at roughly the halfway point: It's Walt's dad, innit?

[@therocknrollmillennial535]

@@mikevltg3 I had thought that the "farmer's son" was going to be HH Holmes, but I'm pleasantly surprised that it wasn't.

[@elizabethashley42]

I legitimately burst into tears. I honestly don't know why finding out about BABY WALT had that effect on me.

[@pegamationproductions6062]

I was actually surprised when that PLOT twist came in at the end of the episode! I never knew that this "farmer's son" was actually the founder of one of the BIGGEST media and entertainment companies of all time.

[@jamesalexander-young5024]

“Just because something was ahead of it’s time does not automatically mean it was good” - incredible quote. Love your stuff!

[@Dannylv100]

"Sir, attendance is down! Only 3k people showed up!" "Well it can get any worse.." Newspaper: Hotel Founder is World's First Serial Killer.

[@BansheeResearch]

You would learn about it on a ClownfishTV episode and they would someone link it to wokeness

[@jvniprbrry]

@@BansheeResearch are you ok dude?

[@AreGeeBee]

@@BansheeResearch lol wut

[@gentrydean3789]

Apparently the second character was wise since he said it ' _can_ get worse'...

[@crumble_cat]

"No more kerosene, no more gas." The Carousel of Progress will never leave your mind, Kevin.

[@boto2129]

"Some holding 50 lbs of ice. Resulting in milk not souring as quick as it used to"

[@termite9753]

Well what about the "little Egypt doing the hoochie coochie". I swear, I groaned every time there was a reference. XD

[@BlazeHeartPanther]

@@termite9753 "Now you put that away before your mother finds out"

[@tyleralmquist7606]

When you said “they decided on the name Roy” I was like oh shit I know who these people are!

[@tracylynn7632]

Same here. I was just figuring it was going to be a nice history lesson. Then we had the drop the mic moment 😯

[@ValkyrieTiara]

I noticed he never gave a name for the farmers and was waiting for it through the whole episode. As soooooon as he went back to them AFTER everything else had been wrapped up, I was like "Oooooohhhh..... yeah ok I know who they are" lol

[@johnlerch7699]

kind guessed as to who was being talked about once the name Roy and Walt were said

[@allypearlman5569]

Imagine if instead of the Eiffel tower, Paris had a giant gillotine hovering over it at all times

[@Rwircea]

I think they would have removed it, as they were initially going to remove the Eiffel Tower after the Exposition and then changed their plans, but you never know with the French ! It would certainly give a very different vibe to the city, and a most unique skyline...

[@henrymars6626]

Big Eiffel Energy

[@LostShipMate]

"Devil in The White City" is a great book covering this topic, as well as H.H. Holmes(who took advantage of the fair for his . . . activity).

[@masklover64]

Came here to say this, I would definitely recommend it to fans of Defunctland 😁

[@glittersweatpants4492]

Was watching the video waiting for him to be mentioned.

[@TheGoldfishArmy]

Just read that book for school. Highly reccomend to anyone wanting to learn more about the Chicago Worlds Fair.

[@erinhowett3630]

Such a good book!

[@tximistarissole]

Also endorsing it. The book reads like a documentary in the best way, and the way it explores the creation of the World's Fair is fascinating and is topically very similar to your average Defunctland video. (The other half is similarly horrifying in how Holmes built a goddamn murder hotel.)

[@AbsolXGuardian]

Walt's family history being sprinkled throughout this is like when you read a book and you basically get a second story until the two converge at the climax. A+

[@Oli414]

That salt in this epsiode is real: "Could've been avoided if the land, or fair, would've opened as a cohesive unit" lmao

[@ivanalpha80]

Oli414 I died whenever he repeated that line 😂😂😂

[@renegade637]

Hearing that line now that I'm at the end of the episode, I'm thinking about Disneyland opening day.

[@Oli414]

That and possibly Galaxy's Edge :-P

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@renegade637 Disneyland has two opening days though. It was before they changed the rules for what an opening day is. Disneyland's opening day is said to be July 17, 1955, however that was a press and invitation only day. Nowadays that would be considered a soft opening or press event day, but the real opening day, with today's rules was July 18th when the public was allowed in. The point being, the 17th was pure chaos - as any heavy press event is, or first day is - and worse when combined, but none of that hurt attendance or growth. They just kept growing until the late 70s when the park started to suffer before the Renaissance.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Oli414 Actually, I think it’s more that they should have more benches and places to rest and hang out. Then again, I have not been there so I can’t give a more educated opinion

[@WeskAlber]

"And respect for their country... back when that mattered" Damn deep cut

[@AandNvg]

To some people, including me, it still does matter.

[@Lakefront_Khan]

@@AandNvg I think he was saying countries don't respect each other which is kind of true, the only reason they don't out right kill each is that it would fuck up the money.

[@canadey97]

AandNvg there's nothing to respect about a county built on the suffering of disenfranchised people 😊 saying this as an American.

[@naithungoal609]

@@canadey97 That could be constituted for any country.

[@aturchomicz821]

@@canadey97 No Universal Healthcare LULW

[@Corvynh]

“Oh, history of the Ferris Wheel that can’t be long...”

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Hey Corvyn! Where's your iconic emoji?

[@Corvynh]

Avery the Cuban-American oh, great point 😡😡😡

[@HeathJinkins]

@Kevin give the people what they want Food Rocks when

[@Corvynh]

Heath Jinkins 23 minutes of Food Rocks though 👌🏻

[@Shenaldrac]

And when you break it down and remove the framing device of Disney and talk of World Fairs, it isn't very long. In fact, I'm kind of disappointed that the video didn't go into more detail on Ferris and what inspired him to make it. We just get a quick "he had wanted to do this thing".

[@sarahwynncaston4715]

"and his name was George Washington... Gale... Ferris... Jr." That was a trip, my friend, but I sure enjoyed the journey.

[@korvasterindar9672]

When you mentioned the name of the third son is being Roy and then the fourth son being named after his friend Walter, Dawning comprehension came to me, and then I realized that you were talking about the Disney Brothers and their family. It really does seem like amusement parks are something innate to his family. That was an amazing story

[@evanredacted7977]

The first Ferris Wheel. Doesn't get much more defunct than that. The buildup to the Disney reveal was fantastic too. Clearly Ferris wasn't the main character in this story. You always exceed my expectations of writing full character studies in what should be no more than a series of educational videos. Excited for Season 3!

[@cristinamora1269]

WAIT.... KEVIN.... HOW DID YOU TIE WALT INTO THIS AGAIN?!!! IM DEAD

[@ralphmacsavage]

"The fourth child was named- " I know where this is going. Great intro to season 3.

[@MagitekOmega]

The way you described the Pledge of Allegiance was absolutely beautiful.

[@kendralussier2033]

That suspense at the end when he said “Walt” was so good!!!

[@redholm]

I had chills XD

[@niklashansen8533]

"Star Wars has the greatest plot twist of all time" Kevin: Hold my beer.

[@chasenip2]

Niklas Hansen Can we leave the hold my beer “jokes” in 2019. It’s so fcuking basic.

[@eveappleby2211]

@@chasenip2 learn to have fun

[@chasenip2]

Eve Appleby What you don’t know about fun could fill a warehouse.

[@TycoonTitian01]

chasenip2 is pretty salty huh??

[@Phoenix-zy1cx]

I love it. The Colombian Exposition and how it ties into the mythos of Walt's future parks is one of my favorite historical subjects. The way you brought all the threads together was so sublime. Bellisimo.

[@joeevans5770]

I would pay anything to see the largest forking knife in the world

[@NatetheNerdy]

So would I. Provided of course I'm also seeing a proper 1800's world's fair.

[@MattMcIrvin]

"Also appearing for the first time were shirtballs, the shirt in ball form."

[@Shenaldrac]

A n y t h i n g ?

[@MattMcIrvin]

@@Shenaldrac even... YOUR SOOOOUUUL???

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@MattMcIrvin Stole the moment. Well done.

[@carogsnow]

Wow, this was incredibly well written. I love the build up to the name drop of Walt -- it gave me chills.

[@BryceEdwardBrown]

Honestly, the Toboggan idea sounds pretty sane to me

[@lordbear1822]

100mph for 10 hours straight. I wonder if that's actually survivable. And imagine going to the bathroom

[@victormunroe2418]

A 10 hour trip from Chicago to New York is less time than it takes to drive there

[@jefvangool69]

At 10 000 feet tall the average decline would only be 0.25% Nowhere neer steep enough to slide.

[@SineN0mine3]

@@jefvangool69 that does seem to be more important than the fact that if it would work it would be terrible. At least nobody let them try!

[@Strategiain]

It's basically a hyperloop.

[@madisonkidwell4883]

When he showed the picture of the farmer I literally thought "hey that looks like Elias Disney!" I love being almost right

[@klobiforpresident2254]

I watched this in 144p (defunctland > data cap) so I thought "hey, that guy looks like a potato."

[@spacetypo]

its wild how PROFESSIONAL this channel has become. i remember when it had lots of plugs and jokes, but now it feels really professional and informative, while being highly entertaining with good quips. i'm NEVER bored. (i still love the casual jabs at michael eisner and little inside jokes, it keeps that "audience closeness" you see with smaller channels that gets lost when a channel grows, if that makes sense.) the editing is fantastic, so props to Nate!! i've been watching consistently since you were

[@melanieavent2733]

Me watching this. "Ok but how does the farmer's son fit into this?" Me watching the last few minutes "OMG YOU SON OF A-"

[@thehappyheartwanders]

I knew who the farmer was the whole time and I STILL got chills at the end. Incredible!

[@sarahwatchesvids]

Kevin never misses bc why did i start tearing up at the end???? Like everything is connected and he presents it so beautifully

[@jewelltyler3884]

Defunctland uploads Me: drops everything

[@brettvv7475]

Same.

[@cmdraftbrn]

yep

[@Nachocuppajo]

Jewell Tyler literally same

[@MrStupidarmy]

Pants too?

[@DallinBTW]

Holy crap, I genuinely got chills from that last scene. "It's like poetry, they rhyme."

[@Tony52488]

It was blown to bits by 300lbs of dynamite.... buildup and delivery was fanstastic!

[@modman4842]

Tony Griggs it would definitely be awesome and cool

[@finni1569]

"hey so what if the cable snaps?" "Oh don't worry, I already thought of that. A whole 8 feet of feathers will be in place" "Ooohhhh, alright cool"

[@kattriella1331]

I love all the little things you notice in this video or things you realize if you've watched all of season 3 before, like the comments near the beginning about progress and the future. Realizing that this entire season is a buildup to discussing EPCOT and Walt's vision for it versus what it actually became, I have to commend you for your ability to write an overarching storyline, Kevin. This season in particular really does feel like a miniseries of documentaries. It's actually mind boggling to realize just how many things had to happen and fall into place at just the right time for Walt Disney to have eventually created his company and not just been another nameless man that history forgot. If any one thing in this season had happened at a different time or not at all, we likely wouldn't have the Disney parks we have today, which means that we probably wouldn't have most of the best parks from other companies that we have today, either, since so many of them base their model off of Disney parks.

[@SparklRebel]

‘Respect for the country...back when that mattered’ 😂😂😂 I’m dead

[@IceQueen975]

Defunct really just dragged the whole world in one sentence.

[@AmbrosiusAmaimon]

@subtle username Save us

[@sevenshooter2987]

@subtle username did you learn to be stupid or did you inherit it?

[@sevenshooter2987]

@subtle username I'm glad that you can accept your failures and brain damage.

[@davekennedy9036]

nice

[@DensetsuVII]

That feeling when you realize that the fact the name of a character is conspicuously vague is a plot twist. Kevin, never stop doing what you do~

[@controlZchannel]

Notice how easy and common death was back then. Imagine today “A birthday party is taking place at Mcdonald’s Playland today. Several deaths are expected.”

[@amy_8516]

I think you predicted the future...

[@missm2925]

@@amy_8516 wait what-

[@babygotbackpains2290]

@@amy_8516 your scaring me

[@Game_Hero]

@@amy_8516 What happened???? When???

[@LeNimph]

"Worlds fair hosts were acquiring honor, influence and respect for their country. Back when that mattered" Daaaaang what a subtle dig. Beautiful

[@SergeantLuke]

Man, the original Ferris Wheel looks really impressive even today. 60 people could fit in every car? That thing must have been way, way bigger than most other Ferris wheels out there.

[@lyndonwesthaven6623]

Right? Like, I'm sure there've been taller since, but can't beat that capacity

[@JpK_23]

"The most graceful and respectful way possible..." Dynamite. Bravo.

[@ladsworld]

You know it's great that the Ferris wheel became so iconic and influential towards other park attractions but that honor really should've gone to the world's largest fork and knife instead.

[@pizzabagel195]

The amount of dry humor in this episode was off the charts. Absolutely my new favorite.

[@thereg23]

Per usual, fantastic writing and a narrative journey that has you going from learning to laughing, wtf moments and big reveals... defunctland hasn’t let me down yet. Awesome episode

[@laurelcook9078]

I feel like hoochie coochie was a meme of the 1800’s

[@SineN0mine3]

The word meme was invented to describe excactly that kind of cultural fad. The idea that it describes internet jokes is a corruption of the concept which was invented to describe the way that motiffs and ideas are passed around and between cultures over time. Internet joke are a kind of meme, but not the only kind.

[@rodakscreens]

Alright, I'm already fully on board with Season 3

[@Joelthegeek]

I stood up and gave this one a standing oviation!! This deserves an award! I loved the narrative and the connection to our country and the ideas of innovation and art! Great job to everyone who helped make this video!!

[@LPTV84]

"Disney is the key to all of this."

[@Defunctland]

He’s a funnier character than we’ve ever had before

[@NextGen_Pants]

**fast forward** "...I may have gone too far in a few places."

[@LPTV84]

@@NextGen_Pants Something world leaders can't say.

[@dipperdandy]

@@NextGen_Pants It's like poetry. It rhymes.

[@josephreiter1434]

This is honestly the best series ever to grace KZbin. It’s honestly even Netflix or steaming material. I loved the little story about the farmer’s son, not realizing where it was going until the end. Keep doing what you do, Kevin.

[@harmonysummers]

“Just because something was ahead of its time, does not mean it was good. The engineer of the death tower clarified that there would need to be at least 8 feet of feathers at the bottom in case the cable snapped - a courteous precaution that would have saved absolutely no one.” Kevin, your writing is impeccable! 🤣

[@bdayactor]

Me: Ha, this delayed attraction opening causing attendance issues is... topical. Kevin: "Not wanting to waste their money on an incomplete land... or.. fair rather...". I literally just fell off my couch laughing at the signature Kevin Perjurer shade! THIS is why I haven't missed a video.

[@algar6616]

please explain to me

[@abraveastronaut]

@Al Gar It's kind of a running joke in Defunctland that every theme park or theme park expansion that comes up on the channel seems to have attendance issues when it first opens because of attractions not being open yet.

[@DistoryDan]

So..... Galaxy’s Edge is just a tale as old as time. Hahahah. No one shows up when your big ride isn’t done. Haha

[@JIreland1992]

True as it can be

[@JDeO1997]

Barely even friends

[@lanceturley7745]

Beauty and King Dork!

[@sadcat520]

When will the ride be done

[@CaraPicone]

Disney Dan STOP I DIDN’T EVEN MAKE THAT CONNECTION! I was like “What land is he talking about, is he talking about how Disneyland wasn’t complete when it opened...?”

[@MegaPhester]

The man who supposedly wrote that Streets of Cairo tune was a pretty interesting guy, Sol Bloom. Before the world fair he was a manager for Gentleman Jim, a famous boxer, and he went on to become an influential politician during WW2. He played a big role in stuff like the Marshall plan and represented the U.S. in the first UN general assembly. He is also part of the reason the country of Israel exists and for its relation to the U.S. The kind of guy who really should get a show made about him or something.

[@KairuHakubi]

damn dude that is legit interesting

[@fallingpetunias9046]

"Which means someone wasn't charging enough to see the largest fork and knife in the world" - the true folly of man

[@Psquiddy01]

Was the "No more kerosene, no more gas" line a reference to the "Electricity" section of the Carousel of Progress?

[@ladambell]

And the line about iceboxes holding more than 50 pounds of ice “so milk wouldn’t sour as fast.”

[@Zeldathemillennial]

The feeling when Walt Disney’s father worked on the Ferris wheel

[@SalivatingSteve]

Yet I’ve heard that Walt Disney supposedly didn’t like Ferris Wheels.

[@batmenace15]

@@SalivatingSteve Well Walt supposedly had a difficult relationship with his father.

[@ninjanippledog725]

He didn't, the dad was a carpenter, so he worked on the buildings around it, not a metal worker/assembler

[@toysrmine37]

Everything's connected

[@BansheeResearch]

@@SalivatingSteve Walt Disney: I don't like Ferris wheels DCA: nothing to see here...

[@ArtisticCeleste]

THE ENDING I WAS SCREAMING WHEN I REALIZED WHO YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT I LOVE HOW YOU CONNECT THE HISTORIES

[@rockingmets195]

This is one of my favorite Defunctland episodes. The way you intertwined the two stories was amazing.

[@katrina5683]

This episode had so much sass I love it. Also extremely well put together and nice surprise ending

[@UriaLordOfSearingFlames]

"Referred to as The White City" Where have I heard that before...? "Opening its own world's fair hotel" ...*OH NO*

[@michaeleisner4758]

Something that isn’t about me, nice

[@re-agent9364]

Oh you just wait.

[@daelen.cclark]

For all we say about you Eisner, at least you took chances even IF they terribly backfired.

[@MattMcIrvin]

"Meanwhile, engineers in Paris were working on the first primitive forms of Michael Eisner"

[@TectonicImprov]

Michael Eisner being the first person I saw in this comment section without a heart from Defunctland made me laugh harder than it should've

[@ryanpenrod1859]

@@TectonicImprov I know that's pretty great

[@lisledre]

Incredible first episode. I’m looking forward to how this bit of history informs the rest of the season.

[@ssgsorrels]

I'm so glad this series is back Edit: Holy crap, that ending is one heck of a stinger

[@marmotman151]

For those not from Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is still standing in Jackson Park all these years later. It's still a striking piece of architecture and a pretty great museum.

[@panzerkorps2122]

I just love all the references to carousel of progress and just how casually he says them. Great video and I can’t wait for more this season!

[@mckenny.mccormick]

I'm a simple gal. I see a new Defunctland video, I click.

[@ajarofnutella]

big mood

[@TabularJoker]

That ending with the farmers son is proof that Disney was made for theme parks

[@pegamationproductions6062]

And maybe that's how he came up with the idea for the first Disneyland?

[@Krimson]

@@pegamationproductions6062 for that, Watch walt disney's childhood amusement park

[@pegamationproductions6062]

@@Krimson Ad.

[@t.a.d.k.d6580]

Defunctland: Uploads another video Michael Eisner: Aw 💩, here we go again.

[@michaeleisner4758]

Hey

[@GoodOlGranite]

I wonder, has the real Michael Eisner ever seen Defunctland?

[@SalivatingSteve]

At least Michael Eisner shows up in the comment section unlike Bob Iger.

[@briaelewis3706]

I think I speak for everyone when I say the dry humor, nonchalant delivery of jokes, and the absolute slow build for every episode is literally the best along with the intros of every episode. You and your team are absolute godsends

[@marsieg8394]

Never thought I'd wanna know about the history of the ferris wheel, but I'm 2 seasons in and I know that you're capable of making anything fascinating. So here I am