Seattle's Monorail is christened on April 19, 1962, just two days before Century 21 opens.

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On April 19, 1962, two days before the Seattle Century 21 World's Fair opens, the wife of Sixten Holmquist christens the Monorail. Holmquist is president of Wegematic Corporation, a subsidiary of Alwac International, which holds the U.S. patent to Alweg monorails.

All subsidiaries of Alwac/Alweg, including Monorail, Inc. and Wegematic Corp., were bankrolled by Axel Wenner-Gren, the Swedish financier.

Sources:
Don Duncan, Meet Me at the Center: The Story of Seattle Center From the Beginnings to 1962 Seattle World’s Fair to the 21st Century (Seattle: Seattle Center Foundation, 1992), 43, 50; Reinhard Krischer, "Alweg Monorail Rapid Transit History," Alweg Archives Website accessed in February 2004(http://www.alweg.com/pages/424731/index.htm); Report, Alwac International, Inc. to John Rupp, Chairman Seattle Transit Commission, February 2, 1960, File 1-2-72: "Alweg," Box 5, Records of Alfred R. Rochester, Executive Director, Century 21 Exposition, World’s Fair Commission, Puget Sound Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives, Bellevue, Washington.
Note: This essay was corrected on April 30, 2004.

By Greg Lange, January 17, 1999

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Riding the monorail on "a trip to tomorrow," in a film promoting the opening of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair
Courtesy MOHAI (Film 1963.3119.145)

The wife of Sixten Holmquist christens the Monorail on April 19, 1962.
Courtesy Don Duncan

Space Needle and Monorail, Seattle