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The Story of the Seattle Space Needle

THE STORY OF THE SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE ORIGIN: Inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany, it was originally drawn on a napkin by Edward E. Carlson for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. CHANGES: Translating from a napkin sketch to full construction proved to be difficult so the design underwent many changes. Though it started as a "balloon" shape tethered by cables, architect John Graham, turned it into a flying saucer. CONSTRUCTION: Completed in December of 1961. Structure is 605 feet tall. At the time, this was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. 848 steps from the bottom to top. Built for just $4.5 million. Built on 120' x 120' lot purchased for $75,000. Above-ground structure weighs 3,700 tons. Foundation is 30' deep and 120' feet across. Weighing 5,850 tons, the foundation weighs more than the Space Needle itself. It was the largest continuous concrete pour ever attempted in the West. It took 467 cement trucks an entire day to fill the hole. Painted with "21st Century" color palette. Astronaut White for the legs. Orbital Olive for the core. Re-Entry Red for the halo. Galaxy Gold for the sunburst and pagoda roof. RENOVATIONS: In 2000, the Space Needle completed a $20 million revitalization. +Pavilion level +SpaceBase retail store +SkyCity restaurant +O Deck overhaul +Exterior lighting additions +Legacy light installations +Exterior painting S-PA»C•E Computerized elevators were installed in 1993. FUN FACTS: The center of gravity for the Space Needle is just 5' above the ground. The Space Needle is built to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour. The Space Needle sways approximately 1 inch for every 10 mph of wind. The Space Needle has withstood several tremors, including a 2001 earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. The elevators travel 10 mph, 14' per second, 800' per minute, or as fast as a raindrop falls to earth. İn fact, a snowflake falls at 3 mph, so in an elevator during a snowstorm it appears to be snowing up. The top house is balanced so perfectly that the restaurant rotates with just a 1 horsepower electric motor. SOURCE: http://www.spaceneedle.com

The Story of the Seattle Space Needle

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One of the most striking architectural accomplishments in the western United States is the Space Needle in Seattle. Originally inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany, Edward E. Carlson first sketc...

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