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Unisphere

Unisphere is a spherical stainless steel representation of the Earth in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. Designed by Gilmore D. Clarke for the 1964 New York World's Fair, it was commissioned to celebrate the beginning of the space age and served as the fair’s theme symbol. The structure reflects the fair theme of “Peace Through Understanding” and was dedicated to “Man's Achievements on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe.” Constructed by American Bridge Company from March to August 1963, it later became a permanent attraction and an unofficial symbol of Queens. After periods of neglect, it was restored in the early 1990s and early 2010s, and it was designated a New York City landmark in 1995.

The Unisphere steel globe sculpture with orbital rings, surrounded by water fountains under an overcast sky.
The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows is shown with water jets spraying around its base.
September 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Unisphere metal globe sculpture with orbital rings against a blue sky, framed by bare branches.
The Unisphere rises above Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, framed here by bare branches and spring greenery.
April 2019 © · CC BY 4.0
The Unisphere sculpture at Flushing Meadows with its globe and support rings visible.
The Unisphere stands in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in New York.
June 2012 © · CC BY 2.0
The Unisphere rises above trees and stadium stands under a hazy sky.
The Unisphere is visible in the background above trees and stadium seating.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Unisphere partially visible through lush green foliage, with its metallic grid and continental shapes catching warm light.
The Unisphere peeks through dense greenery, its metallic globe structure lit by warm golden light.
June 2018 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleUnisphere
Scale1:350000
Original-language nameL'Unisfera; Унисфе́ра
TypeMonumental globe sculpture representing the Earth

Historical context

Fair themePeace Through Understanding
Symbolic purposeTo symbolize the fair's motto, represent global interdependence, and celebrate the beginning of the Space Age
Role at the fairTheme symbol and icon of the 1964 New York World's Fair
Site contextBuilt on the site of the former Perisphere / Theme Center at the center of the fairgrounds
Commissioned forthe 1964 New York World's Fair

Creator

DesignerGilmore D. Clarke
Associated designers and collaboratorsPeter Muller-Munk Associates; William S. Boice; Peter Martecchini; Clarke & Rapuano; Hamel & Langer

Discovery and provenance

Construction startMarch 6, 1963
Opened as permanent park feature1967
Dedication dateEarly March 1964
Permanent donation announcedMarch 1966
Funding / donationU.S. Steel Corporation
Concept dateSeptember 1960
Construction companyAmerican Bridge Company, a division of U.S. Steel
Construction periodMarch to August 1963
Approval dateEarly 1961
Approved byRobert Moses

Physical characteristics

Height42.7 m
Width36.6 m
Diameter36.6 m
WeightAbout 317.5 tonnes; some sources give 408 tonnes including the base
Base weight70 tons
Total length of meridians, parallels, and orbital ringsAbout 2.4 km
Pool diameter94.5 m
Tripod height6 m
Tripod weight100 tons
Total height43 m
Total weight420 tons
Support structureStainless-steel tripod base
Base height6 m

Materials

Orbital rings attachmentAircraft cables
Other materials and componentsMetallic mesh continents; fountains and water features; plywood used in the model
Pool rim materialPink granite
Main materialType 304L stainless steel

Technique

Construction methodFabricated and installed by American Bridge Company / American Bridge Division for U.S. Steel
Design featuresA stainless-steel sphere supported by a stainless-steel tripod

Appearance

LightingCapital cities were marked by lights of different sizes; nighttime lighting created the effect of sunlight moving over the globe
Visual effectFrom a distance, it appears to float in the air
SettingLocated in the center of a circular basin, surrounded by fountains that conceal the support structure
Orbital ringsThree stainless-steel rings positioned at different angles above the globe
Surface depictionThe continents are shown with simplified mountain relief
Tilt23.5 degrees
ShapeA revolving globe with rings of latitude and longitude

Iconography and meaning

Orbital ring symbolismThe rings represent the paths of Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, and Telstar 1
Yuri Gagarin referenceFirst human in space
John Glenn referenceFirst American to orbit the Earth
Telstar 1 referenceFirst communications satellite
Capital city markersLights of three sizes, with larger lights for more important capitals
Quoted interpretation by Moses"Illustrates, symbolizes and embodies man's achievements on a shrinking globe in an expanding universe"

Location and ownership

Ownership / custodyPermanent attraction in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
LocationFlushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City, United States
Site within parkUnisphere Plaza

Significance

Claimed distinctionLargest globe in the world
Cultural significanceUnofficial symbol of Queens; one of the major icons of the district
Visitor attendanceOver 51 million people visited the fair; many passed by the Unisphere
Commemorative depictionDepicted on a special commemorative stamp issue and on fair media and souvenirs

History and restoration

Later maintenance issuesFountains shut off in 2001 due to citywide water restrictions; reactivated in early 2003; by 2008 they leaked excessively and were operated only on U.S. Open days; restored again in 2010 for daily summer operation
Status by 2025The mist garden and the Unisphere's fountains were out of service due to electrical issues
Nearby additionA mist garden was planned east of the Unisphere in the Fountains of the Fairs and dedicated in 2020
Safety measuresNYC Parks added barricades, opened fire hydrants, and hired patrol officers to deter people from entering the pool area
2010 tornado damageThe Sri Lanka landmass was blown off in the September 2010 Brooklyn–Queens tornadoes and reinstalled the following year
2010 restorationA $2 million restoration of the pumps, valves, and paintwork completed with rededication on August 12, 2010
Restoration workStructural repairs, grime removal, replacement fountains, new floodlighting, and rose gardens planted on two surrounding lawns
Landmark designationDesignated a New York City landmark in 1995 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Queens Museum changeIts entrance was relocated to face the Unisphere directly
LandscapingThe grounds around the Unisphere were landscaped in 1992
Restoration costMore than $3 million
RestorationRestored in the early 1990s / 1989–1994
Initial post-fair conditionLightly used at first; fountains were turned off by 1969
Condition in the 1970sPoorly maintained, visibly dirty, and covered in grime; the pools were shut off and graffiti appeared

Other

Historical contextBuilt when NASA was at its peak; the orbital rings refer to early space-age achievements