Editing Atomium (section)

==History==

===Inception and construction===
The Atomium was built as the main pavilion and icon of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair ([[Expo 58]]). In the 1950s, faith in scientific progress was great, and a structure depicting [[atom]]s was chosen to highlight humanity's advance in science, including [[nuclear physics]], which Belgium itself was an avid practitioner ever since the [[Belgian Congo]]'s [[uranium]] became the dominant source of material used for [[nuclear fission]], including that used for the world's first [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swain |first=Frank |title=The forgotten mine that built the atomic bomb |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200803-the-forgotten-mine-that-built-the-atomic-bomb |access-date=2022-07-20 |publisher=BBC |language=en}}</ref> With the Atomium, Belgium wanted to highlight and promote the [[post-war]] ideal to peacefully apply atomic research and other advancements in technology in order to improve lives and serve the betterment of mankind.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atomium: The Beginning of the Nuclear era |url=https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/blog/entry/atomium-the-beginning-of-the-nuclear-era |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=bie-paris.org |language=en-gb}}</ref> The Atomium's nine {{convert|18|m|ft|adj=mid|-diameter}} [[stainless steel]] clad [[sphere]]s depict nine [[iron]] atoms in the shape of the body-centred cubic [[Crystal structure#Unit cell|unit cell]] that could for example represent α-iron ([[Allotropes of iron#Alpha iron (α-Fe)|ferrite]]) [[crystal]], magnified 165 billion times.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://atomium.be/History.aspx|publisher=Atomium Foundation|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Andre WATERKEYN.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[André Waterkeyn]], the Atomium's engineer, in front of a model of his creation]]

The construction of the Atomium was a technical feat. In January 1955, a first project was presented by the engineer [[André Waterkeyn]], director of the economic department of {{ill|Fabrimétal|fr|Agoria (organization)}}, the Federation of Companies in the Metal Fabricating Industry (now known as [[Agoria]]). The architects André and Jean Polak were responsible for the architectural transposition of the concept, drawing up numerous sketches to do so. The company received assistance from consulting engineers Artémy S. Joukoff and André Beckers, assisted by the design office V. Daniel. The foundations were launched in March 1956 and the building, erected by the Jambes-Namur Construction Workshops, was completed less than a month before the inauguration of Expo 58, on 17 April 1958.<ref name="monument" />

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Opbouw wereldtentoonstelling in Brussel, Bestanddeelnr 908-4943.jpg|The start of the erection of the frame (11 April 1957)
File:Opbouw wereldtentoonstelling in Brussel, Bestanddeelnr 908-8852.jpg|Construction of the supports, first tube and sphere (21 August 1957)
File:1 -2018-www atomium be-sofam-belgium.jpg|Completion of the upper spheres (early 1958)
</gallery>

===Expo 58 and posterity===
Since opening, only six of the nine spheres are accessible to the public, the three of the central axis and the three lower outer ones,<ref name="monument" /> each with two main floors and a lower floor reserved for service. Tubes of {{convert|3|m|sigfig=1}} diameter connect the spheres along the twelve edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the centre. The central tube contains the fastest [[elevator|lift]] in Europe of the time with a speed of {{convert|5|m/s || abbr=on|sigfig=1}},<ref name="monument" /> installed by the Belgian branch of the Swiss firm [[Schweizerische Wagons- und Aufzügefabrik AG Schlieren-Zürich|Schlieren]] (subsequently taken over by [[Schindler Group|Schindler]]). It allows 22 people to reach the summit in 23 seconds. The [[escalator]]s installed in the oblique tubes are also among the longest in Europe. The biggest is {{convert|35|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long.

The three upper outer spheres lack vertical support and hence are not open to the public for safety reasons (to minimise foot traffic in the sphere). The original design called for no leg supports on the three lower outer spheres; the structure was simply to rest on the singular mid-bottom sphere. However, [[wind tunnel]] tests proved that such a structure would have toppled in an {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} wind, whilst up to {{convert|140|km/h|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} winds have been recorded in Belgium. Support columns were thus added under the three spheres in question to achieve enough resistance against overturning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0000887|title=Atomium (1958) &#124; Structurae|date=24 February 2006|publisher=structurae.de|language=de|access-date=5 July 2012}}</ref>

The Atomium, designed to last six months, was not destined to survive the 1958 World's Fair, but its popularity and success made it a major element of Brussels' landscape.<ref name="monument" /> Its destruction was therefore postponed year after year, until the city's authorities decided to keep it. However, for thirty years, little maintenance work was done. Still, the building continued serving as the backdrop for major events and competitions. In 1960, the [[1960 Tour de France|47th Tour de France]] passed in front of it on its inaugural stages. From 1960 to 1962, the [[:fr:Grand Prix automobile de Bruxelles|Brussels Motor Grand Prix]] automobile race was organised not far from it.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Ev. Pavillon auf der EXPO in Brüssel (27751784452).jpg|The Atomium and [[gondola lift]] during the 1958 Brussels World's Fair ([[Expo 58]])
File:Haarlemse bloemenmeisjes brengen bezoek aan de Expo, Bestanddeelnr 909-5043.jpg|View of the main avenue towards the Atomium during Expo 58
File:AtomiumTourDeFrance1960 01.jpg|Cyclists pass the Atomium during the [[1960 Tour de France|47th Tour de France]] (28 June 1960)
</gallery>

===Renovation (2004–2006)===
By the turn of the [[3rd millennium|millennium]], the state of the building had deteriorated and a comprehensive renovation was sorely needed. Renovation of the Atomium, carried out by Belgian construction companies Jacques Delens and [[Besix|BESIX]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Restauration de l'Atomium|url=http://www.beliris.be/projets/atomium.html|access-date=2021-01-14|website=Beliris|language=fr}}</ref> began in March 2004; it was closed to the public in October of that year, and remained closed until 18 February 2006. The renovation included replacing the faded [[aluminium]] sheets on the spheres with [[stainless steel]], as well as building a new reception pavilion with a [[boomerang]]-shaped roof. At the foot of the building, the [[roundabout]] was redeveloped into a concrete [[esplanade]] lined with continuous benches and a large step leading to the north-east.<ref name="monument" />

On 21 December 2005, the Atomium's new outdoor lighting was tested. The meridians of each sphere were covered with rectangular steel plates, in which [[LED lamp|LED lighting]] was integrated. The LED application illuminates the bulbs at night. The lights can also flash simultaneously or in turns at each meridian, symbolising the range of an [[electron]] around its core.<ref name="monument" /> In addition, the German industrial designer [[Ingo Maurer]] created lighting objects and installations for the interior of the building.<ref name="Hof">{{cite news| last = Hof| first = Elisa von| url = https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/ingo-maurer-der-lichtdesigner-ist-tot-a-1292711.html| title = Lichtdesigner Ingo Maurer ist tot| newspaper = [[Der Spiegel]]| date = 22 October 2019| language = de| access-date = 22 October 2019}}</ref>

On 14 February 2006, the Atomium was officially reopened by then-[[Philippe of Belgium|Prince Philippe]], and on 18 February 2006, it opened again to the public. The renovation cost €26 million. Brussels and the Atomium Association paid one-third of the costs, and the [[Federal Government of Belgium|Belgian Government]] financed the other two thirds. To help finance the renovation, pieces of the old aluminium plates were sold to the public as souvenirs. One triangular piece about {{convert|2|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long sold for €1,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://veerle-v2.duoh.com/blog/comments/the_atomium_restored/ |title=The Atomium restored |date=16 February 2006 |publisher=Veerle Pieters |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923194316/http://veerle-v2.duoh.com/blog/comments/the_atomium_restored/ |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2006, a [[2 euro commemorative coins#2006 coinage|2 euro commemorative coin]] depicting the building was issued to celebrate the renovation and reopening.

Though the Atomium depicts an iron unit cell, the spheres were originally clad with aluminium. Following the 2004–2006 renovation, however, the aluminium was replaced with stainless steel, which is primarily iron.<ref name="monument" /> Likewise, while the subject of Atomium was chosen to depict the enthusiasm of the [[Atomic Age]], iron is not and cannot be used as fuel in [[nuclear reaction]]s.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Brussels Atomium under construction -0395.jpg|The Atomium at the start of the 2004–2006 renovation (5 February 2004)
File:Atomium pic-007.JPG|Closeup of the central sphere during the renovation (25 February 2005)
File:Atomium 2007.jpg|Illuminated spheres with [[LED lamp|LED lighting]] after renovation (11 September 2007)
</gallery>