The London Eye is a cantilevered wheel having support on only one side unlike other observation wheels in other cities. The wheel has 64 spoke cables that work like the spokes of bicycle wheel, holding the rim tight to the spindle in the middle of the wheel.
The best images I've seen of London from the Eye have been taken soon after sunrise on a cold, crisp, cloudless, winter's morning. Great if you happen to be local, a crap shoot if you're a tourist.
The London Eye currently has EDF Energy as a sponsor. The EDF stands for Electricité de France, of course; just as 20% of the iconic London Buses are operated by Deutsche Bahn - the German railroad company.