Football So What's the Big Deal with the Astrodome?

mike_b_284 · 11-07-2013, 09:34 AM

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.

**hometeam** · 11-07-2013, 09:36 AM

That's just marketing from when it was built.

**alpha_omega** · 11-07-2013, 09:36 AM

I remember when the Bad News Bears played there.

**Bugeater** · 11-07-2013, 09:37 AM

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.

mike_b_284 · 11-07-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

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 noticed what looks like stained glass in the roof. Seems like a dumb idea considering you can grow grass year round here.

**Bugeater** · 11-07-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_b_284

I thought I noticed what looks like stained glass in the roof. Seems like a dumb idea considering you can grow grass year round here.

They wanted real grass and air conditioning.

Discuss Thrower · 11-07-2013, 09:41 AM

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?

BlackHelicopters · 11-07-2013, 09:50 AM

It was amazing for its time. Not so much anymore.

Halfcan · 11-07-2013, 09:51 AM

I watched a game at the Astrodome a decade ago. I have to say I was very impressed. It was way ahead of it's time as far as plenty of restaurants, beer lines ect. Great sound system and an all around fun time. Lots of stadiums have surpassed it by now-but for its time-there was nothing like it.

**loochy** · 11-07-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

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?

the ones that realized that the ASTROS would play there

ciaomichael · 11-07-2013, 09:55 AM

It was a pretty big deal back in the 60s. It's moniker as the 8th wonder of the world was very well-known, not just a local marketing gimmick. And, at that time, it actually was an impressive structure. As for the name, Astrodome, remember that space and space travel was practically an obsession and source of national pride back then. And Houston was a focal point, being the home of "mission control."

shakesthecat · 11-07-2013, 09:57 AM

We went to the Chiefs-Texans game a couple years ago.

The Astrodome looks like an indoor practice facility compared to Reliant Stadium.

**jAZ** · 11-07-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

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.

It was the first ever domed stadium. So I can imagine that it was kind of a mind-blowing scale for people back in 1965. I think it was close to 10 years before the next one was built.

InChiefsHeaven · 11-07-2013, 10:07 AM

Sounds like they're going to tear it down:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...ished/3452349/

InChiefsHeaven · 11-07-2013, 10:10 AM

9 things you didn't know about the Astrodome:

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/9-th...tic-astrodome/

11-07-2013, 09:34 AM
mike_b_284 Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, TX Casino cash: $10004900	So What's the Big Deal with the Astrodome? 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.
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11-07-2013, 09:36 AM	#2
hometeam Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Casino cash: $4141956	That's just marketing from when it was built.
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11-07-2013, 09:36 AM	#3
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1661251	I remember when the Bad News Bears played there.
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11-07-2013, 09:37 AM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	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.
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11-07-2013, 09:41 AM	#7
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3246869	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? __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
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11-07-2013, 09:50 AM	#8
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2730588	It was amazing for its time. Not so much anymore. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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11-07-2013, 09:51 AM	#9
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	I watched a game at the Astrodome a decade ago. I have to say I was very impressed. It was way ahead of it's time as far as plenty of restaurants, beer lines ect. Great sound system and an all around fun time. Lots of stadiums have surpassed it by now-but for its time-there was nothing like it.
Posts: 43,200

11-07-2013, 09:55 AM	#11
ciaomichael Starter Join Date: Nov 2013 Casino cash: $10004900	It was a pretty big deal back in the 60s. It's moniker as the 8th wonder of the world was very well-known, not just a local marketing gimmick. And, at that time, it actually was an impressive structure. As for the name, Astrodome, remember that space and space travel was practically an obsession and source of national pride back then. And Houston was a focal point, being the home of "mission control."
Posts: 120

11-07-2013, 09:57 AM	#12
shakesthecat Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IA Casino cash: $4303833	We went to the Chiefs-Texans game a couple years ago. The Astrodome looks like an indoor practice facility compared to Reliant Stadium.
Posts: 3,353

11-07-2013, 10:07 AM	#14
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3894937	Sounds like they're going to tear it down: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...ished/3452349/ __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
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11-07-2013, 10:10 AM	#15
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3894937	9 things you didn't know about the Astrodome: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/9-th...tic-astrodome/ __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,726