Eco-Earth Globe on September 10, 2006
The Eco-Earth Globe, unveiled at Riverfront Park in 2003, started as an asphalt-covered stainless steel acid ball, used by the Boise Cascade Corporation to hold a caustic mixture of acids used in the bleaching process of paper making when a paper mill was located here. In 1964, floodwaters reached the acid ball and floated it off its foundation and into the Willamette River; the sudden change in pressure caused it to implode. It was retrieved and repaired after the flood, but substantial wrinkles remained in the stainless steel surface. When the City of Salem purchased the land for Riverfront Park, there were no specific plans for the acid ball. Salem mayor Roger Gertenrich accepted suggestions for what to do with it, and the Eco-Earth Globe idea was agreed on.
Eco-Earth Globe on September 10, 2006
With a diameter of 25 feet, Eco-Earth Globe forms a globe with a scale of about 1:1,600,000 (in comparison, most classroom globes have a scale of about 1:42,000,000). The real Earth is actually an oblate spheroid and is slightly flattened at the poles; Eco-Earth Globe is more spherical.
Eco-Earth Globe on September 10, 2006
The surface is covered by 86,115 two-inch tiles (counted by Jule Youngren), including 2,810 in the icons and 716 on the pillars. expansion joints installed by engineers allow the stainless steel ball to expand and contract without popping the tiles off the surface. The tiles were designed, painted and glazed by artists. The icons depict animals, cultures, religions, historic events, technology and mythical creatures, and were designed by local artists and teachers and students from local high schools including Chemawa and William P. Lord High School. Nelson Mandela of South Africa is the only political figure depicted.
Eco-Earth Globe on September 10, 2006
Hundreds of of volunteer citizens, including artists, sculptors and tile setters, were involved in the project. Pence/Kelly Construction, Inc. and the 1249th Engineer Battalion of the Oregon Army National Guard were involved in the construction. A time capsule has been placed at the Eco-Earth Globe to be opened on Earth Day 2054.
Oregon Army National Guard 1249th Engineer Battalion Plaque at Eco-Earth Globe on September 10, 2006
Additional Links:
Eco-Earth Globe at the Salem Oregon Community Guide
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