The Atomium is a landmark in Brussels, built as the centrepiece of Expo 58, the first major world's fair held after the Second World War. It was designed by the engineer Andre Waterkeyn, with the architects Andre and Jean Polak, and it represents a unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified billions of times. Nine steel-framed spheres are connected by tubes with escalators and stairs, and they contain exhibition spaces, a restaurant and a viewing platform at the top. Intended to be temporary, it proved so popular that it was kept as a symbol of the city and of the optimistic mood of the atomic age. It was restored in the early 2000s, and its aluminium cladding was replaced by stainless steel.
Before and after
- 2 March 1958The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition completes the crossing
- 14 March 1958Birth of Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- 17 March 1958Launch of Vanguard 1
- 21 March 1958Birth of Gary Oldman
- 17 April 1958Construction of Atomium
- 15 May 1958Launch of Sputnik 3
- 7 June 1958Birth of Prince
- 14 June 1958Birth of Olaf Scholz
- 20 June 1958Birth of Droupadi Murmu
More in Art, literature & culture
- from 1960 to 1970The Beatles
- 1960Construction of Aswan Dam
- 1978Publication of Garfield
- 17 December 1989Premiere of The Simpsons
- from 24 September 2007 to 16 May 2019Premiere of The Big Bang Theory
- from 26 January 2021 to 27 November 2023Premiere of Go, Dog. Go!
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.