The Space Needle is known as the icon of Seattle, Washington. The observation tower was built in the Seattle Center for the World's Fair in 1962. Standing at a height of 605 feet, the Space Needle was considered the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River after it was constructed.

1. The Space Needle: The
Symbol of Seattle
Executive Inn by The Space Needle
200 Taylor Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
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2. The Space Needle is known as the icon of Seattle,
Washington. The observation tower was built in the
Seattle Center for the World's Fair in 1962. Standing at
a height of 605 feet, the Space Needle was considered
the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River after
it was constructed.
The tower boasts an observation deck that provides a
view of the downtown Seattle skyline. The Space
Needle also has a restaurant, a gift shop, and The
Loupe, the world's first revolving glass door.
From Doodle to Design
The idea of the Space Needle originated from Edward
E. Carlson, the chief organizer of the 1962 World's Fair.
Carlson was traveling to Stuttgart, Germany when he
saw a broadcast tower with a restaurant. Interested in
the structure, he sketched its outline on a napkin at a
hotel café.
Carlson enlisted the help of architect John Graham,
known for designing Seattle's Northgate, the world's
first covered shopping mall. Graham proposed the
concept of a flying saucer instead of Carlson's initial
proposal of a tethered balloon. Architect Victor
Steinbrueck presented the hourglass profile of the
tower, inspired by an abstract sculpture called "The
Feminine One."

3. The Space Needle was designed to withstand earthquakes up to 9.1 in magnitude and winds of up to
200 miles per hour. It features 25 lightning rods on the roof to protect against lightning strikes.
Popularity Beyond Opening Day
Construction of the Space Needle began a year before the World Fair's opening. The structure officially
opened on April 21, 1962 to an estimated 2.65 million visitors that included celebrities, politicians,
and royalty.
Since then, the Space Needle has enjoyed immense popularity. It appeared in numerous films, TV
shows, and books. Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board designated the observation tower as a
historic landmark on April 19, 1999.

4. Sources:
https://stayexecutiveinn.com
https://www.spaceneedle.com/history/
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/seattle-space-needle-glass-floor/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/191614365/looking-back-and-up-at-a-seattle-icon