In New York City, at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, stands a giant stainless steel glove: the Unisphere. This huge stainless steel globe, is from the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, an international exposition at Flushing Meadows - Corona Park in Queens, New York City, United States.
Commissioned by the United States Steel Corporation and brought to life by the vision of landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke, the Unisphere wasn't just a the centrepiece; it was the fair's very heart, dedicated to "Peace Through Understanding." It spoke volumes about "Man's Achievements on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe," perfectly capturing the optimism of the Space Age and a growing sense of global interdependence.
Standing a 140 feet (43 metres) high and spanning 120 feet (37 metres) in diameter, it's one of the world's most impressive geographical globes. Weighing 700,000 pounds (320,000 kg), the Unisphere was built from Type 304L stainless steel. The American Bridge Company, part of U.S. Steel, engineered, fabricate, and erected the Unisphere 110 days.
Surrounding the globe are three enormous orbital rings, gracefully tracing the paths of early satellites - a nod to Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, and Telstar. Originally, the world's capital cities even sparkled with lights. The entire structure rests on a tri-pod steel base, nestled within a reflecting pool with fountains.
The uneven distribution of the continents meant the Unisphere was inherently an unbalanced structure, and its landmasses acted like sails, catching the wind. Solving these complex mathematical challenges, particularly concerning structural strength and wind load, was an issue. It even required the use of computers, which were cutting-edge technology for the era.
Today, well over half a century since the fair closed its doors, the Unisphere remains a permanent landmark. It has become an unofficial emblem of Queens, and has appearanced in films, television shows, and advertisements. In recognition of its enduring significance, it was designated an official City landmark in 1995.
Stainless Steel is still as much of an iconic metal as it was back in 1964. And to finish with... "Why does the Unisphere get invited to all the best parties? Because it's got a great global presence and it's always polished!"
For more stainless steel building and sculpture stories on our website have a look at these past articles:
The Eiffel Tower’s Stainless Steel Secret
Stainless Steel, protecting the Chrysler Building since 1930
The Statue of Liberty's Stainless Steel Spine