The Space Needle started out as a rough sketch on the back of a paper, but became Seattle’s most recognized landmark and number one tourist attraction. It was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and stands 605 feet tall. The landmark was built impressively in just 12 months. At the time it was completed, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.[1]
The Space Needle’s glass-enclosed tophouse was built to resemble a flying saucer, in keeping with the fair’s futuristic theme of what life would be like in the 21st Century. The tophouse has an observation deck and also features a revolving restaurant that is turned by a 1.5 horsepower motor.[2]
The Space Needle was designed and engineered to withstand major earthquakes and high winds. During the World’s Fair, almost 20,000 people rode the elevator to the top every day and people had to wait three hours long for a 40-second ride. Today, a glass pavilion encircles the base of the tower. At the top, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, Lake Union, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, and downtown Seattle.[3]
References:
Brewer, Stephen, Constance Brissenden, and Anita Carmin. Pacific Northwest. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., 2003. ISBN: 0789496801.
[1] Brewer, 144
[2] Id. at 144-45
[3] Id. at 145
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