In 1893 Chicago held a World's Fair. They wanted to out-do Paris' Eiffle Tower and thus the Fair's committee members accepted proposals from architects and engineers.
One young engineer supplied his plans for a massive structure that could actually move and was turned down. He did not give up and spent $25,000 on drawings and additional specs and got investors interested. But still the committee members turned him down.
He tried again, but this time with the head of the committee of the Midway. He had the funds, the investors, and he was finally granted a concession to build his monstrosity.
Mr. George. W. G. Ferris got his wheel built.