<P> On December 31, 1999, a powerful beam of light was unveiled for the first time . Called the Legacy Light or Skybeam, it is powered by lamps that total 85 million candela shining skyward from the top of the Space Needle to honor national holidays and special occasions in Seattle . The concept of this beam was derived from the official 1962 World's Fair poster, which depicted such a light source although none was incorporated into the original design . It is somewhat controversial because of the light pollution it creates . Originally planned to be turned on 75 nights per year, it has generally been used fewer than a dozen times per year . It did remain lit for eleven days in a row from September 11, 2001, to September 22, 2001, in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks . </P> <P> A 1962 Seattle World's Fair poster showed a grand spiral entryway leading to the elevator that was ultimately omitted from final building plans . The stairway was eventually added as part of the Pavilion and Spacebase remodel in June 2000 . The main stairwell has 848 steps from the basement to the top of the observation deck . At approximately 605 ft (184 m), the Space Needle was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River at the time it was built by Howard S. Wright Construction Co., but is now dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, among them the Columbia Center, at 967 ft (295 m). Unlike many other similar structures, such as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Space Needle is not used for broadcasting purposes . </P> <P> Edward F. Carlson, chairman of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, had an idea for erecting a tower with a restaurant at the World's Fair . Carlson was president of a hotel company and was not recognized in art or design, but he was inspired by a recent visit to the Stuttgart Tower of Germany . Local architect John Graham soon became involved as a result of his success in designing Northgate Mall . Graham's first move was to alter the restaurant's original design to a revolving restaurant, similar to his previous design of the La Ronde tower restaurant at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Hawaii . </P> <P> The proposed Space Needle had no pre-selected site . Since it was not financed by the city, land had to be purchased within the fairgrounds . The investors had been unable to find suitable land and the search for a site was nearly dead when, in 1961, they discovered a plot, 120 by 120 ft (37 by 37 m), containing switching equipment for the fire and police alarm systems . The land sold for $75,000 . At this point, only one year remained before the World's Fair would begin . The Needle was privately financed and built by the Pentagram Corporation, consisting of Bagley Wright, contractor Howard S. Wright, architect John Graham, Ned Skinner, and Norton Clapp . In 1977 Bagley, Skinner and Clapp sold their interest to Howard Wright who now controls it under the name of Space Needle Corporation . </P>

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