World's Largest Canopy

It all started when the national Canvas Goods Manufacturers Review announced that A. Smith & Son, Philadelphia, held the world's record on canvas canopies with a street shade measuring 16,800 sq. ft. in area.  This soon disclosed another canopy measuring approximately 90,000 sq. ft. which has just been erected by the J. L. Stuart Manufacturing Co., San Francisco.

The first canopy was erected over a business street in Philadelphia to provide cool, inviting shade for shoppers.  So successful was this installation that merchants now contemplate a three-fold increase in the original order which should insure this canopy of the outdoor record.

The second canopy, which is illustrated here, was erected in the San Francisco Civic Auditorium where it has been decorated with 92,000 sq. ft. of fine artwork in oil. 

The total weight, assembled, is over 28 tons.  It is octagonal in shape fitted over an intricate steel frame work which measures 220 feet in diameter.  After assembling it was hoisted in the air to a height of 115 feet where it forms a decorative ceiling for the auditorium.  Twelve different color schemes can be obtained through various combinations of lighting.

Both of these record canopies were seamed on Union Special Machines, and both represent remarkable developments in construction. NE January 1931