The History of World Expositions
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Copyright: Le Memorial officiel de l'Exposition universelle et internationale de Bruxelles 1958-1962, Bd. 4, S.

As a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of atomic power, André Waterkeyn - engineer and director of the Fabri Metal company - created a building in the form of an iron molecule with a crystalline structure enlarged a hundred billion times - the Atomium. This idea turned this incredibly small element into a giant accessible pavilion, in which the atomic spheres provided exhibition space.


Grouped around a central atom spheroid are eight two-storey atoms each of 18 metre diameter in a basic cubic form. The atomic spheres are linked together by 3.30 metre thick and 22 - 29 metre long pipes containing escalators. The original plan was for this 24,000 ton construct to be anchored to its foundations on a single central pipe, regretfully however safety reasons dictated that supports were added to three of the spheres, detracting from the overall optical impression. The central pipe houses a lift which carries visitors on a 25 second journey to the restaurant in the uppermost sphere at a height of 102 metres, which affords an excellent view across the entire exposition grounds. Whereas three of the upper spheres remained empty, the base sphere and four of the other atomic spheres were used to present international exhibitions on the theme of the peaceful use of nuclear physics. The original construction costs of 8.4 million German Marks were exceeded by a factor of almost two. In order to enhance the optical effect the spheres were finished with a high gloss aluminium alloy. During the day the spheres reflect light and other sections of the grounds, at night the effect of the building is enhanced by glowing chains of light marking the orbits of electrons around the atoms.


The true to scale enlargement of an iron molecule not only gave the Belgian metal working industry a prestige reference object but its size alone gave visitors a lasting impression of the overriding importance of nuclear research. The extent to which the signposts were set for the peaceful use of atomic power was however restricted to the exhibitions presented in the interiors of the spheres.


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The Brussels World Exposition 1958
Symbol of the Atomic Fair - The Atomium
Year: 1958City: BrusselsCountry: Belgium
Duration: 17th April - 19 October 1958

 

 

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