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A Deep Cleaning In Deep Space

May 16th, 2008 @ 12:46 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildingsborder
The Seattle Times reports that the Space Needle is getting its first deep cleaning since it opened in 1962. So that means that it’s almost as dirty as my dog Scarf (click here for a photo of that little Ewok). Over 45 years of grime that I guess you could call… vintage. Wow. I definitely do not envy those washers who have to rappel down the Needle. The guy cowering and gripping the guard rail on the observation deck — yeah that’s me. To get an idea of how tall it is, check out this vintage 1962 elevation diagram and cut-away view of the top house.
space_needle_elev_01.jpg
Space Needle elevation diagram. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.
space_needle_cut_01.jpg
Space Needle cut-away view of top house. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

13 Responses:

  1. John Eddy wrote:

    That cutaway is awesome.

    They ever fire off that gas burner anymore? That even still exist?

  2. gabi campanario wrote:

    Love this, a beautiful information graphic pre-computer age.

  3. Kristy wrote:

    These are incredible! Thank you for all of your work in documenting Seattle’s history. Our families have been in Seattle since the first world war and all of us love the images and stories you post.

    Does anyone know where I could get a large-scale (blueprint) size print of either of these, or a high-res file to print a large copy? I tried the Craftsman Press website but to no luck. I have an idea for an art project I’d like to incorporate these into. Thanks!

  4. Cliffe wrote:

    Kristy: Responded to you via e-mail. I’m going to upload higher-res .tif files for you.

    Cliffe

  5. jorge wrote:

    this was help full

  6. Debra wrote:

    What a cool reminder of our city heritage. Thanks!

  7. Mauricio wrote:

    How can I get a Hi-res copy of the elevation shown above? I would like to print a poster…

  8. Cliffe wrote:

    E-mail me.

  9. Kristine Ford wrote:

    thank you for these fabulous drawings and cut-aways of the Space Needle. Could you please e-mail me these in a high res so that I may print a copy. Thank you

  10. jeremy wrote:

    These are great can you e-mail me a hi-res copy of these as well? These would look good framed along with my other Seattle pictures. Thanks.

  11. Colin wrote:

    @Cliffe

    I’d also love to have larger versions of these great images!

  12. Cliffe wrote:

    Email me any image requests please.

  13. Joe wrote:

    I am asking if anyone has any blueprints of the needle. My son has to do a structure project for school, and it needs to be to scale right down to the very last window. If anyone can help, we would greatly appreciate it very much. Please e-mail with the subject line of “Seattle Space Needle”.

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