Then and Now. Red Hill

c_c™ said :

….

Anyone know what the weird silver mushroom shaped structure is in the foreground of the present pic?

I’m more interested in what the caterpillar sitting on it is smoking.

c_c™ said :

Thanks dannybear. Silly me for not Google searching these things…

http://www.archives.act.gov.au/educational_resource/find_of_the_month/2012/september/previous_find_of_the_month_-_92012

“Toadstool Automatic Advisory Service”

* patent pending

They were also mentioned here on RA last year:
http://region.com.au/cool-urban-relics-of-canberra/36952

c_c™ said :

Thanks dannybear. Silly me for not Google searching these things…

To be fair, I’m not sure Googling ‘Weird Silver Mushroom’ would have given you the results you were after. Interesting results, to be sure, but not so helpful!

Loving the white slacks and brown shoes in the obviously posed older photo. In the background you can see white shorts and walk-socks.

Thanks dannybear. Silly me for not Google searching these things…

http://www.archives.act.gov.au/educational_resource/find_of_the_month/2012/september/previous_find_of_the_month_-_92012

“Toadstool Automatic Advisory Service”

* patent pending

c_c™ said :

I think it looked a lot better back then. Those windows that push out are very inelegant. There’s been some great advances in distortion free shaped glass, hopefully someone splurges a bit one day to do it up.

Anyone know what the weird silver mushroom shaped structure is in the foreground of the present pic?

The mushroom things were audio tour type things, you’d put some money in them and it would tell you what you were looking at , Canberra was the only place they were ever installed as far as I know, There’s one on the lookout off Vernon circle too and I believe one was installed on mount ainslie too but later removed
There’s a very informative webpage about them somewhere unfortunately I can’t remember what it is.

c_c™ said :

Anyone know what the weird silver mushroom shaped structure is in the foreground of the present pic?

Talking bubbler?

I think it looked a lot better back then. Those windows that push out are very inelegant. There’s been some great advances in distortion free shaped glass, hopefully someone splurges a bit one day to do it up.

Anyone know what the weird silver mushroom shaped structure is in the foreground of the present pic?

switch said :

Are the red girder things required to strengthen it? Or just make it look even more retro space age?

They’re window frames. The old lookout has flat windows,but now they protrude out. So as far as the windows are concerned, very much required. For the rest of the building though, they do nothing.

Are the red girder things required to strengthen it? Or just make it look even more retro space age?