Space Needle

Overview of Space Needle:

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Space Needle

The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington, a landmark of the Pacific Northwest, and an icon of Seattle. It was built in the Seattle Center for the 1962 World's Fair, which drew over 2.3 million visitors.

History

The Space Needle was conceived by Edward E. Carlson and John Graham, Jr. for the 1962 World's Fair. Carlson's initial design was heavily modified by Graham, and the final design was architecturally daring for its time.

Design and construction

The Space Needle is 605 feet (184 m) high and 138 feet (42 m) wide at its widest point. It is built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour (89 m/s) and earthquakes of up to 9.1 magnitude. The tower also has 25 lightning rods on its roof to prevent lightning damage.

Features

The Space Needle features an observation deck at 520 feet (160 m), and a rotating SkyCity restaurant at 500 feet (150 m). From the top of the Needle, one can see not only the downtown Seattle skyline but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and surrounding islands.

Renovations

The Space Needle has undergone several significant renovations. In the 2000s, the exterior was restored to its original color scheme, and in 2017-2018, the biggest renovation in the Needle's history took place, costing over $100 million.

In popular culture

The Space Needle has appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and other media. It is a popular symbol of Seattle and has been a major tourist attraction since its opening.

See also

• List of towers
• Seattle Center Monorail
• Pacific Science Center

External links

• Official website

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This article includes internal links to other relevant topics, and an external link to the official website of the Space Needle. It does not include any images, placeholders, or comments.