Space Needle - EB

On the city side in the distance is the Space Needle, Seattle's 605-foot-tall landmark which debuted at the 1962 World's Fair, drawing 2.3 million visitors. Its construction was supported by a 1957 bond and federal funds. Resilient to winds and earthquakes, it features 25 lightning rods. Every New Year's Eve, it hosts a synchronized fireworks show at midnight.

In 1959, artist Edward E. Carlson sketched the Space Needle on a napkin, inspired by Germany's Stuttgart Tower. Designed for the futuristic 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, it symbolized the 21st century. Architect John Graham turned Carlson's balloon concept into a flying saucer, completed just before the fair. Private financing, secured in 1961, allowed construction by Howard S. Wright Construction. Completed in December 1961, the 605-foot tower opened for the fair on April 21, 1962. From the top, visitors can see downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and ferry traffic to and from various islands.

King 5 Seattle. Doodle to a needle: A timeline of the Space Needle's 60-year history in Seattle, April 20th, 2022. Accessed April 9th, 2024. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/timeline-space-needle-history/281-1f509e2b-a4b1-4f23-bb79-66c75b0a3896.

Walser, Lauren. The Space Needle, By the Numbers. Preservation Magazine, National Trust for Historic Preservation .

History of the Space Needle, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Needle http://www.spaceneedle.com/history/