<P> The structure was designed with the help of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, who also helped write the original storyline for the attraction . The term "Spaceship Earth" was popularised by Buckminster Fuller, who also popularized the geodesic dome . </P> <P> Construction took 26 months . Extending upwards from the table are "quadropod" structures, which support smaller beams which form the shell of the steel skeleton . Pipes stand the aluminum skin panels away from the skeleton and provide space for utilities . A small service car is parked in the interstitial space between the structural and cladding surfaces, and can carry a prone technician down the sides to access repair locations . The shop fabrication of the steel (done in nearby Tampa, Florida) was an early instance of computer - aided drafting and materials processing . Spaceship Earth was originally sponsored by the Bell System from 1982 until 1984, when it was broken into smaller companies in 1984, and its parent company, AT&T, became an independent company . AT&T sponsored Spaceship Earth from 1984 until 2004 . From 2005 until 2017, the German company Siemens was the sponsor of Spaceship Earth . The ride currently has no sponsor . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

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