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Did You Know These 12 Facts About the Pentagon?
The Pentagon, serving as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is one of the world’s most recognizable buildings. This architectural marvel holds numerous fascinating secrets and remarkable features that many people might not know about. Here are twelve incredible facts about this iconic structure that showcase its unique characteristics and historical significance.
1. Record-Breaking Construction Speed
Despite its massive size, the Pentagon was constructed in an remarkably short time frame. Ground was broken on September 11, 1941, and the building was completed in just 16 months. The speed of construction was necessitated by the urgent requirements of World War II, making it one of the fastest-built large-scale projects in history.
2. Unique Shape Purpose
The Pentagon’s distinctive five-sided design wasn’t the original plan. The building was initially designed to fit on a different plot of land that had an irregular pentagonal shape. When the location changed, the design was kept because it allowed for the shortest walking distance between any two points in the building and proved ideal for efficient office space arrangement.
3. Twice the Size of the Empire State Building
The Pentagon is one of the world’s largest office buildings, with approximately 6.5 million square feet of space. This makes it roughly twice the floor space of the Empire State Building. The building houses approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees and receives about 100,000 phone calls per day.
4. Segregation-Era Design
Built during the era of segregation, the Pentagon was originally constructed with twice the number of bathrooms needed, as racial segregation laws required separate facilities. When President Roosevelt issued an executive order banning racial discrimination in the federal workforce, the extra bathrooms became redundant but remained in place.
5. Self-Contained City
The Pentagon functions like a small city, featuring its own shopping mall, bank branches, food courts, and medical facilities. It also houses a impressive array of amenities including a pharmacy, post office, florist, and even a mini-mall called “Pentagon Row.”
6. Corridor Length
The Pentagon contains 17.5 miles of corridors. To help people navigate this vast network, the building is divided into five wedges and five rings, with corridors designated by specific numbers and letters. It takes approximately seven minutes to walk between the furthest points of the building.
7. Window Count
The building features exactly 7,754 windows, which help provide natural light throughout the structure. During World War II, all these windows had to be blacked out at night to comply with wartime security measures, requiring a significant amount of dark curtain material.
8. Ground Zero Placement
During the Cold War, the Pentagon was intentionally positioned as “Ground Zero” for a nuclear attack. This strategic placement was meant to protect Washington, D.C., as Soviet missiles would likely detonate above the building, with the explosion’s force being directed upward rather than outward toward the capital.
9. Renovation Timing
A major renovation project called “Pentagon Renovation Program” was underway when the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred. Remarkably, the section that was hit had just been renovated with new blast-resistant windows and walls, which helped limit the damage and save lives.
10. Environmental Features
Despite its age, the Pentagon has undergone various environmental upgrades. The building now features a green roof system, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation measures. These improvements have helped reduce the facility’s environmental impact and operating costs.
11. Hot Dog Stand Mystery
A hot dog stand in the Pentagon’s central courtyard was nicknamed “Café Ground Zero” during the Cold War. Soviet intelligence allegedly believed it concealed a secret entrance to an underground command center, though it was actually just a regular concession stand.
12. Unique Address System
The Pentagon’s internal address system is remarkably efficient. Any office can be located using a code that identifies its floor, ring, corridor number, and room number. This system allows people to navigate the massive building without getting lost, despite its complex layout.
Conclusion
The Pentagon stands as a testament to American engineering, military history, and architectural innovation. From its rapid construction to its unique design features and historical significance, these twelve facts demonstrate why the Pentagon remains one of the most fascinating buildings in the United States. Its combination of size, efficiency, and historical importance continues to make it a subject of interest for people worldwide.