The first true "ferris" wheel, constructed in 1893 in Chicago. It was 264 feet tall, contained 36 passenger cars able to accommodate up to 60 people (total capacity 2,160 people.)
Compare that to the current tallest operating "wheel ride" in the world, which is The High Roller in Las Vegas. It's 550 feet tall and has 28 cabins that can hold up to 40 people.