Seattle Space Needle



From humble sketches on a napkin at a coffee house, to the predominate symbol of Seattle’s skyline, the Seattle Space Needle was originally built to be the centerpiece of the futuristic-themed 1962 World’s Fair. The Space Needle was built to withstand winds of up to 200 mph, and demonstrates the strength of the tripod design. "SkyCity," the rotating restaurant 500 feet above the ground, rotates 360 degrees every 47 minutes with only a one horsepower motor, accomplished due to skillful and precise craftsmanship.

The Construction Process
The construction was driven by private funds, and finding an appropriate location proved to be so difficult that the project was just about to be terminated when suitable ground was finally found, only 13 months before its deadline for the 1962 World Fair.

Due to the condensed construction schedule, the Seattle Space Needle’s legs and observation pod had to be prefabricated in several sections and then quickly erected and secured in place. To offset the “top heavy” loading, the Space Needle’s center of gravity was lowered all the way down to ground level by means of anchoring the three legs to an oversized solid concrete slab 9 meters (30 ft.) thick, thus matching the entire weight of the exposed structure above.

The deadline for the World's Fair was barely met as the second elevator arrived and was installed just one day prior to the grand opening.

Facts
Artist Edward E. Carlson made the first initial sketches for what the Seattle Space Needle would later become on a napkin at a coffee house. It later went through many changes as architect John Graham and associates perfected the "flying saucer" look.

In 1962, the Space Needle was painted orange, then after 1962 it was painted white. In 2012 the top of the Space Needle was re-painted orange to celebrate the Seattle Space Needle's 50th Anniversary.

Details


 * Architect: John Graham & Associates
 * Construction Type: Structural Steel Frame
 * Materials: Steel, concrete, glass
 * Years under construction: 1961-1962
 * Classification: Observation Tower
 * Height: 518 ft. (158 m.)
 * Pinnacle Type: Lightening Rod 605 ft. (184 m.)
 * Stories: 60
 * Cost: $4.5 million (1962)
 * Footprint: 120 ft. x 120 ft. (36.6 m. x 36.6 m.)