Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: November 7th, 2008
The Space Needle and the Monorail, Seattle, WA, 1962
The Space Needle is the ultimate architectural icon of the Space Age. The flying saucer shaped restaurant, cocktail lounge and observation deck combo were built to be the icon, centerpiece and crowning touch of the 21st century-themed 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Today it is one of the most recognizable buildings in a world. What the Eiffel Tower is to Paris the Space Needle is to Seattle. According to the legend a TV tower in Stuttgart, Germany inspired its oh-so futuristic design. Thank you, Germany, for the inspiration. Originally, there was going to be a flame spouting out of the top of it like a giant tiki torch. It never happened. But, it’s never too late!
Last week I was in Seattle to do a show. It was my first time. Of course, the first thing I did was go to the Space Needle. I figured the best way to get there was the monorail, it’s futuristic sidekick, also left over from the ‘62 world’s fair. Boarding one of the two original monorail cars, I was impressed by how clean it was. It looked like new. As it accelerated and then reached full speed I was nearly hypnotized by the feeling of the monorail in motion because it felt exactly like riding the monorail at Disneyland when I was a kid. And that’s no coincidence. ALWEG, of Germany, built Seattle’s Monorail and Disney’s original monorail. Thank you again, Germany! And as if riding the monorail wasn’t enough to inspire my imagination and make my spirit soar, there it was, the Space Needle getting closer and closer as the monorail approached. This is Seattle’s version of going from Main Street USA to Tomorrowland.
As I disembarked, still overwhelmed by the time-travel-monorail adventure I had just experienced, I was even more spellbound by the Space Needle up close and in person. The giant UFO-on-a-tripod is far more spectacular than in any photo (or slide) that I’ve ever seen of it. Beaming with Americana pride I marched myself up to the ticket booth to buy a ticket to go the top. I couldn’t believe it was $19.00. Much to my relief the scary ride up wasn’t nearly as traumatic as I was expecting it to be. Dusk was beginning to sparkle just as I stepped off of the elevator. It was magic time. As I hovered above the city marveling at many things far and near I thought, $19.00 to go to the top to the Space Needle? That’s outrageous! It should be at least $195.00!
Here’s to Seattle’s Tomorrowland, the German influence and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
November 2008
5 Comments on “The Space Needle and the Monorail, Seattle, WA, 1962”
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November 7th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I want to visit the Space Needle RIGHT NOW! Thanks, I’ll be there in my dreams tonight, danke!
November 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
great to meet you yesterday at Mission Galleria and hope you both found a decent meal- hard to do on Sunday in Riverside- will look for cool stuff for you- your new friend, Mrs. Darling- mary v.
November 13th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I hope to take your “Disney” tour this spring. I am a disney lover too!
November 14th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I visited the Space Needle in 1981, when I was 7. We were visiting my aunt and uncle, who live in the Seattle area. It truly is an experience. I know exactly what you’re talking about riding the elevators up.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:47 am
I had a grilled cheese sandwich at the top of the Space Needle. I have never eaten grilled cheese anyplace as interesting since.