Google's doodle today pays tribute to the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., who was born Feb. 14, 1859.He only lived in Carson Valley for a short time, but legend has it that it was long enough to come up with the ride that bears his name.After leaving Carson Valley and graduating from engineering school, Ferris presented the idea of building the first Ferris Wheel for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.According to one story, Ferris was inspired to create the ride by watching a water wheel on the Carson River. Ferris died in 1896 …