, 1890-11-06
FOR THE WORLDS FAIR
An Original Design for a
Colossal Monument.
TO THE MEMORY OF COLUMBUS
A Description of the Immense
Globe Which 1t Is Pro-
posed to Erect.
[Scientiiic American

Inc COnstIuClioIt VI tne f.lfICl
tower has awakened the pride of
nations. 1t Is said that North
America proposes to construct an
iron tower which shall be higher
than the one in Paris. England
also desires to have u monumental
tower.
When North America proposed "A
competition for the construction Of
A tower TO be erected ut the Uni
versal exposition of 1892, Spanish
architect, native of Bilboa, Mr..
NJ. Alberto dc Palacio, drew an
original design, of which we pub.
lish an engraving.
Mr.. De Palacio has conceived a
most perfect form, the sphere,
which could not have been used
prior to the knowledge of iron us u
building material, because only by
the modern methods of uniting the
various parts, Of which this ma
terial is susceptible, could sphere
be produced with diameter OF
nearly 1000 feet, that is, equal to
the height of the Eiilcl tower. This
idea symbolizes the geographical
completion of the earth which was
realized by Christopher Columbus
discovery of the new world.
The following Is n description Of
the magnificent design: The colos-
sal sphere is mounted on base
which Is 262 feet high, and Is
crowned mt its north pole by the
caravel which carried Columbus to
the new world. The monument Is
brilliant with the colors of the con-
tinents, oceans and islands of the
terrestrial sphere.
The sphere will be cpcircled at
the equator by platform 3, 80 feet,
or more than hall mile, long. An
exterior spiral running around the
northern hemisphere will form II
track nearly two miles long, lead
ing from the equator to the north
pole. At night the sphere will be
illuminated by the lines of light
which will form the outlines of the
continents and islands, thus casting
over the city torrents of refulgent
brilliancy. The great pyramids of
Egypt, the Sphinx and the Colossus,
could lie in the hollow interior like
jewels In their case. SO much for
the exterior aspect.
An interior track runs around the
southern hemisphere from the
south pole to the equator, where it
joins the exterior spiral. The total
length of the spiral is nearly four
miles, over which the slghtseer can
travel on u tramway.
In the base and under the majestic
central rotunda will be placed
gigantic statue Of the great discov--
erer surrounded by the navigators
and missionaries who rendered his
discovery fruitful. In the semi
circle around this Olympus OF
heroes, inclosing the amphitheater,
will be allegorical statues represent
ing ali the Spanish nations
In the remaining spaces Of the
compartments in the base a largo
Columbus library will be distributed;
auditorium for the cultivation OF
the natural sciences, museums of
zoology, mineralogy and botany of
America, rooms for the Spanish
Geographical Society, a great naval
museum in tie interior central COM
partment, n meteorological observa-
tory in the hull of the caravel. All
this is Independent of the prone
nades, cafes and restaurants for the
public.
In the Interior the celestial sphere
can be exactly reproduced. 1t can
also be used for magnificent pano-
ramas, because the spherical form is
the best for obtaining illusions of
perspective. There will be a place
for public entertainments.
This astonishing monument can
serve rs perennial remembrance of
the first Spanish-American and CO.
lonial Exposition.
Mr.. Palacio secures the stability
of this immense mass by means of u
simple method similar to that used
Tor equestrian statues, so that the
sphere Will be able To resist winds of
greater force than IA cyclone.
From "A business point of view Mr..
Palacio makes the following calcu-
lation:
One hundred thousand spectato rs
paying an entrance fee OF III Will
bring 100000 This will replace
the capital in siXty-two days, with
out counting the profits of the cafes,
entertainments, etc. The estimated
total cost is So, 600, 900.
DATA FoH THE ESTIMATE.
Diameter of the sphere .......... ..... 9,4
Elevation OF the sphere above the
Total height Of the monument....... i.8l9
surface oi the sphere tsq, yds.) ....., 3379sD
volume (sq, yds }. ..... ..,.u.1s, 49, 3il
Length OF the equatorial platform. $3.50
Lthgth ol the ascending spiral ,.,..,,. l9,bsi