How has the wheel changed since the show first aired?

[Mike_25]

The spinning wheel on Wheel of Fortune was meant to add an element of chance and excitement to the word guessing game. Its origins trace back to early Japanese game shows, as many familiar American games were adapted from foreign concepts. Wheel's creators borrowed the oversized wheel, divided into many colorful sections and spun by an actress for viewers' delight.

When the show first aired, that huge mechanized wheel was quite the novelty and helped attract interest. Even today, it remains an iconic part of the Wheel experience, building suspense as the curtain opens and the wheel slowly stops, revealing some bonus or misfortune for the contestants. The wheel brings randomness to an otherwise straightforward vocabulary building competition, ratcheting up drama and engagement for the audience at home as they shout out letters along with the contestants. The wheel is Wheel of Fortune's most memorable prop and central to the show's identity.

 

[CR7]

Over the years, the wheel has undergone some changes to keep the show fresh and exciting. The most significant change was the introduction of the electronic board, which displays letters as contestants call out their guesses. This revolutionized the gameplay and eliminated the need for manually flipping tiles, making the game move at a faster pace.

Another change is the addition of new spaces on the wheel, such as the "Free Play" wedge, which allows contestants to guess a letter for free and another "Express" wedge which lets players build up their score by correctly guessing multiple consonants in a row. These innovations give players more opportunities to win big and create even more drama and excitement.

In recent years, the Wheel has even incorporated modern tech like touchscreens to add more variety to the gameplay. The game developers have also experimented with different sizes and designs of the wheel, such as smaller or double-sided wheels to keep the game unpredictable.

Despite these changes, the wheel remains a constant and integral part of the show's overall appeal. From its origins rooted in overseas game shows to its modern-day iterations, the wheel has helped bring an extra level of excitement and spins to the classic game show, making Wheel of Fortune one of the most enduring and beloved programs on television.