1958 Georg Kohler, "The Atomium" in Original Box
Brussels, or Bruxelles as printed on the box, was the sight for the 1958 World's Fair. As with many previous fairs it had a "theme" building to represent it. In this case it was "The Atomium". Of course a toy Atomium was manufactured and sold at the fair. This is that clockwork wind-up toy complete with its original box Built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo '58), the 103-metre (335-foot) tall Atomium monument represents a unit cell of an iron crystal (body-centred cubic), magnified 165 billion times, with vertical body diagonal, with tubes along the 12 edges of the cube and from all 8 vertices to the centre. Nine steel spheres 18 metres in diameter connect via tubes with escalators as long as 35 m, among the longest in Europe. Windows in the top sphere provide a panoramic view of Brussels. Other spheres have 1950s exhibitions. Three upper spheres lacking vertical support are not open to the public for safety reasons. Courtesy of http://www.atomium.be/. Toy is all plastic except for the metal wire holding the helicopter. The Atomium structure is chrome plating on plastic. The each turn in opposite directions simultaneous (helicopter counter clockwise, Atomium clockwise). The helicopter's propellers are stationary. It uses a simple key wind set into the base. Underside is embossed with manufacturer's logo and "Made in Germany" which is unusual since at the time it was called West Germany. Awesome box is as wonderful as the toy. Brilliant orange and bright blue! A gigantic image of the Atomium is shown rotating above the city of Brussels through the clouds. The Royal Palace (99% sure that's what it is) and Cathedral of St. Michael are shown below it in a wide, detailed panoramic illustration. The manufacturer's trademarked logo and a simple schematic of the toy were printed on the endflaps. Size: 5¾". I've provided an actual photo (below) of the real Atomium which still stands today. In 1993 I was fortunate to travel to Brussels and visit the former Fair site. And yes, I took the elevator up, and inside the Atomium! Sold: Sep. 2008
Price Sold: $ 225
