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The Space needle The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. This was a very large World's Fair, from a time when they were being taken very seriously, as opposed the small, almost unnoticed fairs of today. The needle is over 600 feet tall, and has only two levels. There is a restaurant on the lower level, and an observation deck on the upper. During the fair, this structure was claimed to be a depiction of how we would all be living in a century or so. Of course, none of this will come to pass, or was it really believed by the promoters. The structure was built for it's visual impact, and judged on that parameter, was a huge success, as it continues to be today. The structure is striking, and has become a hallmark and icon of Seattle. As a building, it is far too expensive, as well as wasteful of space, energy, and resources to ever be considered for any sort of large scale production. Still, I suppose it is a reflection of the optimism of the times, that such a structure could be claimed to be the wave of the future. |
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An attempt to take a full view of The Space Needle. Some parallax is apparent here; but what can you do? |
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A look out towards the outside deck. |
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One upon a time, observation platforms had those little coin operated telescopes. Now it is computer controlled video cameras hooked up to flat screen displays. |
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The stairway coming from the lower level. Upstairs is a restaurant. |
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A look along the perimeter of the lower level. |
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A view from the top, looking off towards a lake. Seattle has a seaplane port on it's lakes. |
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Outside the deck is completely enclosed. Like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, The Space Needle is an icon, and moves some people to attempt suicide. |
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Above and left: Various views of Seattle from the Deck of The Space Needle. |
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Left and Below: A couple of views straight down the monorail tracks. |
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Above: Views out across Puget Sound, and out over Queen Anne's Hill. Left: A look straight down, to see the shadow of The Space Needle. Below: Another look at the hill.. |
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Lake Union and part of the highway going up to Canada. |
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A trip down in the elevator. These run in open shafts down the middle of the Space Needle supports. They have large windows, and are fun to ride. |
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A look at one of the bases of the legs holding The Space Needle up. Notice the huge bolts holding them in place. |
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