So What's the Big Deal with the Astrodome?

[mike_b_284]

Every night on the Houston local news they refer to the Astrodome as the 8th wonder of the world. Growing up in Kansas City, I have never heard this before. Was it a momentous feat in its time, or are Houstonians just full of themselves? It just looks like a shitty old stadium to me. I vaguely remember the Kingdome being a big deal, maybe in the early 90's, but they tore that down without much fuss.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

SAVE THE ASTRODOME!

Zactly. It's our Mecca.

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole went to a high school state championship game there in 1999. The good guys were up 34-0 at the half and Bob Dole yelled at the loser fans across the field so loud that it echoed.

Good times.

[otherstar]

Originally Posted by mike_b_284

? oilers?

Seriously? I've been in Houston since 1995....

Just been here a few months. Heading back north for a little hunting trip, some peace and quiet, and a weather reality check later this month.

Cool! I took me several years before I couldn't handle the cold anymore. Moved back to Kansas for a job during the winter of 2008-2009 and moved back because the job sucked, it was too cold in Kansas, and our house down here didn't sell.

[otherstar]

There's some footage of the last two Chiefs playoff wins, including the win over the Oilers in the Astrodome, in this video

[Predarat]

The Astrodome was destroyed on Sunday, January 16, 1994.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

The most notable thing about it was they made the roof translucent because they thought they would be able to grow natural grass inside of it. Didn't work out so well though.

I thought I had read that it grew grass just fine, it wasn't until the MLB made them darken the dome so players could see pop flies that it could no longer grow grass.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Predarat

The Astrodome was destroyed on Sunday, January 16, 1994.

Kieth Cash muthafukka!!!

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by bowener

I thought I had read that it grew grass just fine, it wasn't until the MLB made them darken the dome so players could see pop flies that it could no longer grow grass.

from wikipedia

"Originally, the stadium's surface was a Tifway 419 Bermuda grass playing surface specifically bred for indoor use. The dome's ceiling contained numerous semitransparent panes made of Lucite. Players quickly complained that glare coming off of the panes made it hard for them to track fly balls. To solve the problem, two sections of panes were painted white. However, within a few months, the grass died from lack of sunlight.[16] For most of the 1965 season, the Astros played on green-painted dirt and dead grass. The clear panels also added a problem when combined with the natural grass. The grass tended to hold, then release moisture, often resulting in rain within the structure, causing games to be delayed while the grounds crews cleaned up the playing surface."

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by whoman69

from wikipedia

"Originally, the stadium's surface was a Tifway 419 Bermuda grass playing surface specifically bred for indoor use. The dome's ceiling contained numerous semitransparent panes made of Lucite. Players quickly complained that glare coming off of the panes made it hard for them to track fly balls. To solve the problem, two sections of panes were painted white. However, within a few months, the grass died from lack of sunlight.[16] For most of the 1965 season, the Astros played on green-painted dirt and dead grass. The clear panels also added a problem when combined with the natural grass. The grass tended to hold, then release moisture, often resulting in rain within the structure, causing games to be delayed while the grounds crews cleaned up the playing surface."

Wow. Clearly a lot of thought went into that design.

[cyberjedi]

In your face Buddy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5zNNkAtrz8

[deltachief]

I always thought Andre' the Giant was the 8th wonder of the world.

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by mike_b_284

Every night on the Houston local news they refer to the Astrodome as the 8th wonder of the world. Growing up in Kansas City, I have never heard this before. Was it a momentous feat in its time, or are Houstonians just full of themselves? It just looks like a shitty old stadium to me. I vaguely remember the Kingdome being a big deal, maybe in the early 90's, but they tore that down without much fuss.

You know nothing.

The Astrodome WAS the 8th wonder of the world.

But it is outdated and full of asbestos now.

But back in the day it was the best stadium in the world.

Reliant is a much better stadium but has zero character or history.

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I know! It's called the ASTRO dome, but when you're inside you can't see the stars! Who are the ad wizards who came up with this one?

It's for the Astro-nauts.

This is home of NASA and mission control dumb ass.

Space City.

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by TEX

Go **** YOURSELF ****HEAD! (Sorry for the profanity but you struck a nerve with me) You have NO IDEA what the Astrodome meant to those of us that grew up in Houston. It was just as symbolic to Houston as the Empire State Building was to New York or the SEARS TOWER, when it was called that was to Chicago (You might get it now). It was an architectural wonder for its day as the first ever domed stadium. It needs to be preserved as a historical building. There are far lesser buildings designated as such all over the country. Problem is it has sat for so long it's going to cost MILLIONS of $$$ to renovate. Folks from out of town who live here that don't understand its significance get to vote , as well as those who ironically don't pay taxes. They're not going to approve any public funding for it. I've always felt that they need to raise PRIVATE $$$ to turn it into something. Let the private sector take over and see what happens. What a concept...

I've had some great times in the Astrodome.

Seen some awesome concerts and motocross races, etc.

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by blaise

If you go to Reliant and look at it across the parking lot it looks small. Like you could almost fit it inside Reliant.

It's not as tall as Reliant because field level is actually 45 feet down.