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 The Space Needle: A Washington Landmark

The Space Needle: A Washington Landmark
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 6 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.66

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    presently, withstand, saucer, enlist, construct, sketch, origin, construction, responsible, historic, focus, plot, view, somewhat, secure, design
     content words:    Space Needle, Fair Commissioner Edward E., Stuttgart Tower, Washington State, Fair Exposition, John Graham, Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliot Bay

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The Space Needle: A Washington Landmark
By Joyce Furstenau 		  
1     The idea for the Space Needle got its start in a Seattle, Washington coffee house. The World's Fair Commissioner Edward E. Carlson drew a sketch of his idea on his placemat. Carlson had seen the Stuttgart Tower in Germany. It was the inspiration for his drawing. That drawing was the origin for The Space Needle. The Space Needle was later built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair held in Washington State.
 
2     The theme for the Seattle World's Fair Exposition was "Century 21." The focus was on ideas for the future. Carlson believed a "restaurant in the sky" would attract international visitors.
 
3     His drawing was revised several times before it became "The Space Needle." The first sketch looked somewhat like a tethered balloon. The next looked more like a flying saucer. Turning the sketch into a structurally sound building was not easy. Several architects were hired to work on Carlson's idea. One of them was John Graham. He was the architect who designed a revolving restaurant in Hawaii. He was primarily responsible for the final design of The Needle.

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