The Space Needle and its Giant Ball of Flame

[@brianstephens7572]

:O You were just in Seattle?! DANG! I wish I would have known! It would have been cool to meet you!

[@ThrottleKitty]

Same here! He should have stopped by Olympia for a visit to Big Tom's!

[@MTMyTails]

I'm over in Bremerton and would of loved to hop the ferry to meet him

[@justahilltopguy5418]

I was thinking the same!

[@quyn3019]

I'm like 90% sure I saw this get partially filmed when I was out wandering with mates. Didn't think too much of it at the time though

[@w9ill856]

He was across the street from my job ugg

[@AdamBerkan]

The Calgary Tower is a similar structure that still has a flame torch on top. They only use it on special occasions, but it's spectacular.

[@theallseeingmaster]

I remember the Space Needle being built; it was on the news where I live (east of the Mississippi) but I had never before heard about the flames shooting out of the top of it Must have been quite a sight to behold. On a side note, I have never had a really exceptional meal at a rotating restaurant; food is always mediocre, the view while eating (certainly NOT dining) is always breathtaking.

[@CuzicanAerospace]

You're definitely paying for the view. The Sky City restaurant at the top of the Space Needle has a reputation for decent but way overpriced food partially offset by just how lovely Seattle looks at night from the top.

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

theallseeingmaster sounds like a grand place to get food poisoning.

[@lacewinglml]

they always had some of the best pie up at the space needle, so when the restaurant is reopened and if you happen to by by (they are doing alot of renovations right now) definitely should get the pie.

[@veo_]

Oh, Simon! I Hope you enjoyed your stay in my city! A fun fact of the space needle (which I've experienced first hand!) is that the elevators descend at the same speed as rainfall. If you ride it down while it's raining the haze vanishes and there appears to be a frozen sea of slightly wriggling rain droplets just hovering outside the windows and into the distance. It's quite remarkable to see!

[@kikrix]

Rather convinced you have already planned topics but could I recommend; -Fremont 'Lenin Statue' -Flaming Geyser Park (not all that flaming) -Seattle Underground -Smith Tower Fallout Shelter Hopefully spelled these correctly, flaming geyser may not be as easy to drive to but I highly recommend the trails. Loved the video, and the blazer as always!

[@quinnzykir]

0:52 JOHNNY!!! Put more gas in the lawnmower! The space needle restaurant stopped rotating!!!

[@TBONESIDEOFLIFE]

AWESOME! another Simon in the wild segment, cool!😎👍

[@michaeldougfir9807]

My grandparents went to that 1962 Workds Fair in Seattle. They told us all about it. When I was in the US Navy, my ship made a port call to Seattle. It was the 10th anniversary of the Worlds Fair. In commemoration of that fact, everything cost 10 cents. Two things stand out in my mind as memorable: the great concrete slab with holes in it, being a variable fountain that changed with music played there. Beautiful and impressive. The other thing, I was on a fleet tug, so the US Coast Guard ice breaker moored there on June 1st looked huge. Nice visit.

[@petrolandleather]

Welcome to the PNW. Hope you enjoyed your time here

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Very much :)

[@TugsP]

If you're still around, I'd love to offer you a beer!

[@RedOnly]

OMG...flash mob fan meet up! THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!!

[@RedOnly]

hmmmm I thought that was further south at Evergreen...lol ;p

[@TugsP]

I'm down for it!

[@MxRelli]

Fun Fact: The Space Needle has a slightly larger sibling in San Antonio, TX. The Tower of the Americas was opened April 6, 1968 for HemisFair ‘68 (the 1968 World’s Fair in San Antonio). It is also a needle like tower, complete with rotating observation deck and restaurant towards the top. From its opening until 1996 (upon the opening of the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower) the Tower of the Americas was the tallest observation tower in the US. I’ve often looked at its construction as a deliberate One Upmanship on the Space needle. The first floor is slightly higher than the highest floor in the Space Needle, the roof is slightly higher than the Space Needle’s antenna spire and the antenna spire is 145ft higher than the Space Needle’s. I grew up in San Antonio. When I lived in Seattle, I used to think about the comparisons of the towers quite often.

[@veo_]

The Space Needle won the style award for sure, it looks way cooler even if it's smaller. The space needle looks unique, the tower of the americas looks like every other observation tower everywhere.

[@MxRelli]

Oh definitely!! Way more style and finesse went into Seattle’s ghastly sky poker than San Antonio’s!!

[@christelheadington1136]

I must be the only Fraiser fan here.At the start, I was looking for Eddie, with Simon's voice narrating.

[@adamhovey407]

It's a great show, but honestly that didn't even cross my mind

[@mr88cet]

I think your sources are exaggerating about the flame. My sister and I were in fact there at the time, and although I was a little too young to remember it, my sister does. There was indeed a torch up there, but it’s flame was pretty small compared to the Space Needle itself.

[@NotHPotter]

Yo, just make a video of Simon reacting to various ridiculous aspects of American culture while you have him here.

[@Flakjacket96]

I would Just want to Watch him Firing a bunch of Guns like a 500 Magnum.

[@davidkissner6354]

Michael Wade at least our culture doesn’t tell us to throw gays off of tall buildings for being gay. Or to strap bombs on ourselves and taking people out. Maybe send Simon to the Middle East for that ridiculousness.

[@NotHPotter]

@@davidkissner6354 Man, you took that dark fast. You maybe have some issues you ought to seek professional help to deal with rather than screaming into the void of KZbin comments? Just a thought.

[@HelensHistoryHunting]

As a Brit I can confirm that America is very odd. They don’t even have two water tanks! They drink the water that isn’t drinking water!!! Ewwww!

[@desolationangel.s]

@@HelensHistoryHunting personally i only fill my own 5gallon every 3 days or so. Though ive seen many drink straight from the faucet which im wary from it seems dodgy.

[@balls9357]

You might as well check out Whistler, BC Canada! No Ski Hills are opened ,but you can still hike there.

[@cliftonjames785]

Whistler is mostly famous for their mountain biking trails and jump park. I love going there

[@PhocusJoe]

I live 4 blocks from from the space needle. I wish I could have shook your hand and bought you a beer for all of the hard work. I really enjoy watching. Thank you.

[@ben8557]

0:29 BTW the Mississippi goes all the way from Minnesota (which borders Canada and is west of the great lakes) down to the Gulf of Mexico. Its not just a small river that only exists in Mississippi

[@mrs8713]

One of the major ones

[@Alamito24]

Thanks for the remarkable trip down memory lane. Lived in Seattle for 60 years and, for the doubters out there, Seattle often has weather as shown in this video. Hope you enjoyed your time in Seattle. Even with its issues, Seattle remains a beautiful and desirable place to live.

[@seanc6128]

Sustainability? Seattle has a huge problem with insufficient housing and infrastructure upgrades.

[@nukemanmd]

Thank you, Debbie Downer. .

[@seanc6128]

No problem

[@CuzicanAerospace]

You may be from Seattle if someone compliments how relatively green (in both foliage and environmental politics) Seattle is compared to most cities, and you bitterly complain about how they're not doing nearly enough. Source: Me, too.

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Sean C DRUGS

[@MiscMitz]

I live in Seattle. Seattle has a huge housing problem, because we tell everybody "Yeah, you're homeless, come on up we'll take care of you." It is ridiculous. Everybody is moving out of Seattle because housing prices are going up to pay for all the homeless issues. My rent keeps going up as well.

[@NightBazaar]

My mom, brother, a couple of aunts and cousins went to the World Fair in Seattle. I opted to stay home to avoid a long boring trip to get there as well as the crowds. Not sure if they went up in the Space Needle or not though.

[@brandonjc13]

My family took a trip to Seattle and a cruise to Alaska when I was about 8. The Space Needle is one of my favorite things from that trip. The elevator is so weird though, since it's all glass and it feels like it's moving so much faster than a normal one, but they say it's the same speed of an average elevator.

[@mickeythemaltipoo3756]

So Simon isn’t a computer animated, Dammit I lost the bet

[@wizzarin424]

I've lived in near Seattle 25 years and never new about the flame it had. Thanks for the info.

[@metallicaftwfool]

This video had a twist I didn't expect... I didn't think this was going to be shot on location lol! I thank you and your team so much for your contributions for the sake of knowledge, Mr. Whistler; y'all make incredibly informative and entertaining videos. Greetings from Tejas, Estados Unidos!

[@deimosapex5402]

Ahhhh home

[@Jacob-fv6co]

Simon Whistler, the man who teaches me all about the most obscure topics on a daily basis, doesn't know where the Mississippi river is lol. Also it is very satisfying to know the Space Needle shoots lasers.

[@johngonzales3528]

How do you not know where Mississippi is?

[@KumarSaurabh92]

@Today I Found Out did you know that exact copy of The Space Needle is constructed in Hisar, Haryana state of India. Its Called The Jindal Tower made by Jindal Steel. It doesn't have the glass wall but metal mesh and it has staircases but only for emergency (Its locked by a gate constructed later on). It is non rotating by the way.

[@animalntaz]

I've been up there once a long time ago when I lived in Kitsap county. I remember using one of their machines that pressed a penny with the Space Needle on it.

[@grahamrothphotography]

Love this video format, do more like this when possible !!

[@ChartreuseKitsune]

The Calgary Tower still has it's original 60's natural gas flame installed and is still lit during special occasions. It's really quite impressive to see at a distance, and really stands out during the night.

[@kme]

It was used as the Olympic flame. (Calgarian here) It's used on special occasions and at New Year's. 😊

[@paulslaughter2366]

When was this filmed? I was just there two days ago, and the renovations are done. They replaced part of the floor in the rotating section with glass.

[@Watcher413]

I love how most of the comments are from people who live near Seattle. I live just a ferry ride away from Seattle but seriously to any outsider the Space Needle to us is our most beloved structure and our icon to everyone who lives nearby. That's the Reason why some people are so defensive about the Space Needle.

[@stevethecatcrx1]

Oh man I can't believe you guys came all the way to Seattle. I hope you enjoyed the visit, sorry about the lack of rain recently.

[@DalgonaC]

That was a really cool on location one. it felt like you were our own personal guide to the Space Needle.

[@jald910]

I live in Seattle and remember the flame well. I was 15 in 1962. It was a narrow torch, entirely contained within the tower. By no means a ball of flame.

[@AstorReinhardt]

Lived in Seattle my whole life (born here!) and even went up into the Space Needle and yet...never knew that!

[@rexlongfellow]

I'm loving the evolution of this channel!

[@RedOnly]

Hope you enjoyed your time here! It looks like you were here during the summer...boy was it a hot one! Now we have our rains, but no torrent can wash away the fact that the Great Bearded Baldwhistler graced the shores of Washington ;p p.s. Did you look at the restaurant's menu?? Before they started construction the prices were astounding!! When I was in sixth grade, everyone did everything they could to get into my teachers class. Every year he would offer a prize...dinner with him for 2 students. Some kids looked forward to that more than prom in highschool...lol

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

Calgary Alberta Canada has a needle that still sends flames in the air well above the tower once in a while.

[@kme]

The Olympic flame on the Calgary Tower (not a needle, btw). It's lit on New Year's Eve/First Night celebrations, and for other special occasions. I'm from there, and went to some of the ceremonies and events. 👍😊

[@ShredmanKcksAss]

I live near Seattle and you enlightened me to things about The Space Needle I did not know. They need that Lazar on. It’s a really cool site when I have seen it. Thank”s again.

[@kaiserwigglesiii2369]

Holy hoot, the new format is snazzy. Nice work my guy. Also, I live in Mississippi and I agree wholly

[@spyersecol0013]

Giant ball of flame..... Brings a tear of joy to my eye thinking about it

[@amerizwarwick928]

Seattle born right here! Really awesome of you guys to show off the Space Needle. I suggest the Ape Caves next here in Washington! The History is a blast on that one!

[@Rayne_bloodshed]

As a Washingtonian and a fan of Today I Found Out and Top Tenz I really enjoyed this video

[@GloriaNak]

I hope you enjoyed your time in our beautiful state.

[@belligerentinstigator944]

Awesome, glad you got to take a trip for work.

[@jessicabecause3717]

Stepping up the content quality. I like it. Definitely will continue to watch more!

[@dementedfurbie.]

Is there still a rotating restaurant inside? (never been to Seattle)

[@elizabethwaldorf5319]

Awesome video!! I have a question. Why is the Michelin Man (mascot of Michelin tire company) white when tires are black?

[@leiannesw4926]

I liked this format and information. Thank you Simon and T.I.F.O. Team. Hope you enjoyed doing this Simon? You must not be scared of heights?

[@ericd5823]

I like this format much much better than your usual. You should get out and do on-site things like this more often.

[@jaspr1999]

How COOL!!! Love that you're traveling again!!!

[@mrs8713]

BTW what song at 1:15?

[@toddmulligan2609]

Holy cow when he’s all jet lagged i like the way he speaks so much better

[@markiangooley]

The Calgary Tower got a natural-gas “cauldron” torch in 1987 (connected I think with the Winter Olympics) that I believe is still operational but rarely lit. So there’s at least one imitator.

[@jodiemcclure7854]

the food in the restaurant is so delicious but you want to make sure you have reservations way ahead of time since they are constantly booked

[@jodiemcclure7854]

the first time I went to the space needle I had a major issues with heights but I overcame it being up there and taking in the sights

[@xulapostasy7132]

I'm from seattle! I'm so glad you did a video of my hometown! I hope you enjoyed your stay 😃

[@spaceace8628]

Throwing shade at the 1960s and the cool stuff the did in a extremely short and thrown together video great content man...👌🏼

[@professoroak1920]

Fun Fact: at approx. 2:30am on a date I cannot remember in the month of October 2012, I pissed on the front door of the Space needle while drunkenly riding to the airport to pick up a friend.

[@foxtango3862]

Hey my dude thanks for stopping by Seattle and showing off the city’s icons.

[@killacondor]

Crazy to think I could have met you since I was just in Seattle and almost visited the space needle.

[@jasonlahti7211]

Welcome to Seattle! I hope you enjoyed your time here.

[@CuzicanAerospace]

There you go, ruining our reputation for overcast drizzly skies with your bright-and-sunny luck. Thanks, Simon. :P (Quite seriously, I'm glad you enjoyed it out here!)

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Oh, we have a video coming up where we're going to do a lot of damage via debunking completely the myth that Seattle gets a lot of rain. Sorry about that. ;-) -Daven

[@CuzicanAerospace]

That's how you get hate mail from anti-tourist Seattleites, you know. ;)

[@Kaotiqua]

I've lived in Seattle most of my adult life, and I never knew it ever had a flame. Crabs, assorted giant sports mascots, a christmas tree, sure.... never heard it had a flame. :D

[@William.Marsh.]

I love this format!

[@janegeland7596]

Loving this format

[@ezecreative]

great to see that you actually visit the outdoors... lol. another good video sir!

[@GrahamTV]

It's STILL under construction?

[@socc4298]

Welcome to WA bro!

[@adamhovey407]

Love the Sounders logo

[@socc4298]

@@adamhovey407 thx bro

[@nbadhorse]

Welcome to Seattle! I hope your visit was an enjoyable one.

[@Logotu]

No film clip or even photographs of the flaming needle?

[@thatcreole9913]

Oh man I would have loved to run into you guys while you were here. Hope you enjoyed your visit!

[@walkerm777]

Welcome to Washington. My home state. And Seattle, way too many people for me.

[@garysloots9773]

Simon, I’m a big fan of both Today I Found Out and VisualPolitik. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Seattle area and would’ve loved to have bought you a pint. Thank you for posting this video. I’ve lived in the Seattle area my whole life and never knew about the flame.

[@richard1113]

Too bad I didn't know you were in town we could have had a drink. Interesting fact about the Space Needle and the original motor. At The Breakers mansion in Newport, RI, the main entrance doors weigh 1/2 ton a piece. But they are so perfectly balanced a child can move them.

[@BunnyFett]

When were you in Seattle? :D

[@francoislacombe9071]

Where does the expression "rule of thumb" come from?

[@Will-eh6xe]

Thanks Simon I never knew that hope u enjoy ur trip

[@DUMBODEATHDEALER]

This video is awesome! I would love to see Simon out of the studio more.

[@TheElnots]

Went there last year, great video!

[@adamhovey407]

All right, so, I've never been to Seattle, but I'm a huge fan of Seattle Sounders FC, have been for some years. I have a hoodie, For Seattle Sounders FC, and it has the Space Needle on it. Are you saying, that it would be more appropriate, for that logo to have a fireball coming out the top? Because I would fully support that.

[@veo_]

No, the fireball on top of the space needle isn't any kind of seattle cultural icon, this is the first I've ever heard of it and I've lived here my whole life. A more appropriate one would be the Wheedle, as in "The Wheedle on the Needle" which is a make-believe monster who lives on top of the space needle and has a glowing red nose, similar to rudolph. Every school age child in Seattle knows the blinking red light on top of the space needle is actually the Wheedle's nose. I believe the Sonics use the Wheedle as their mascot? See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheedle

[@glennt69lol]

great to see a different take on presentation

[@gizmogoose.2486]

You're in my neck of the woods now! *Whilst* you're there, take a Puget Sound Ferry trip up to Victoria B.C. !!! When you get back to Seattle, go east across the Cascades to Lake Chelan and take the "Lady of the Lake" boat trip 55 miles up lake to see the Glaciers in the High Cascades Mountains. And if you're homesick for Europe, go to Ballard in Seattle to see the giant statue of Leif Erikson and tour the Nordic Museum on Market Street. And hit the Waterfront Piers and Pike Place Market too!!!

[@autumnakins7640]

Omg, Pike's Place Market is the whole reason I come to Seattle when I'm in Washington! Love it!

[@erikszewczyk]

Simon, next time your're in Seattle or Portland let me know and we'll do one together! Do you know where the term 'skid row' came from?

[@ajlee4296]

I live very close to there! Enjoy your time here!

[@mintles28]

Wow you actually went there for this that’s awesome great job Simon

[@NickRgibbs]

Viewer question: What determines how a log splits into coals in the patterns it does? what makes a campfire burn the way it does where coals smolder and don't light on fire? Why does certain flour creates rainbow flames and others just smother it? How come needles and cones never burn, just smolder as coals?

[@ernestbywater411]

It would have been nice to have found some video of the flame in action, or even a still would be nice. The same for the laser.

[@jesse113553]

Love this style of video!

[@micahphilson]

I really like this video style! So, you guys are just shipping Simon around the world now to commentate on things at the source?

[@micahphilson]

And if so... are you hiring?!

[@awesomeferret]

When we're you in Seattle? I would have loved to say hi.

[@VoltasP]

Hey now, a flaming space needle wasn't the ONLY environmentally disastrous thing we've done: We had a copper smelter operating nearby for over 100 years and now we have dangerous levels of lead and arsenic in our soil! :D

[@Zeldarw104]

OMG!! Simon Whistler is in America? 😊😳Cool.👍

[@josephwolf7552]

To bad I was not there , when you filmed this I love your videos. I’ll have to check out the space needle again since I live in Edmonds Wa a short drive to Seattle

[@sirwilliam51]

What's funny is doing a video about the foam on the top of the space needle and ending with a shot from gasworks park.

[@artistwithouttalent]

1:00 "Perfectly balanced, as all things should be."

[@XboxSurgeon]

Love how this is my home city and the first on scene history TIFO video

[@TransShadow42]

Wow this video was not what I expected. Different but good. I like it, felt a bit like Tom Scott.

[@mrs8713]

Song please at 1:15 ??

[@LeandroFTW]

Oh snap we made the news!