They have recently announced that the BT Tower is to become a hotel, but how much do you know about this iconic London landmark? As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.
1. What was the Tower’s original name?
Telecom Tower
WRONG Before the break up of communication services, the Post Office ruled supreme.
Post Office Tower
CORRECT Before the break up of communication services, the Post Office ruled supreme.
GPO Tower
WRONG Before the break up of communication services, the Post Office ruled supreme.
2. What electromagnetic wave did it transmit?
Radio waves
WRONG If wind deviated the Tower by more than a third of a degree the microwaves that it fired over miles would miss their targets.
Microwaves
CORRECT If wind deviated the Tower by more than a third of a degree the microwaves that it fired over miles would miss their targets.
Gamma waves
WRONG If wind deviated the Tower by more than a third of a degree the microwaves that it fired over miles would miss their targets.
3. What did the first member of the public to visit, do at the Tower?
He fell to his death
CORRECT Frank Goldsmith escaped from nearby UCH where he was a patient, evaded detection climbed 440ft to the aerial platform and fell to his death.
He topped out the structure
WRONG Frank Goldsmith escaped from nearby UCH where he was a patient, evaded detection climbed 440ft to the aerial platform and fell to his death.
He protested against Harold Wilson’s Government
WRONG Frank Goldsmith escaped from nearby UCH where he was a patient, evaded detection climbed 440ft to the aerial platform and fell to his death.
4. In the event of a fire, what is the drill?
Use the lift
CORRECT The Tower is the only London structure that is, in the event of a fire, evacuated via the lifts, which required Parliamentary legislation.
Use the stairs
WRONG The Tower is the only London structure that is, in the event of a fire, evacuated via the lifts, which required Parliamentary legislation.
Wait for a helicopter
WRONG The Tower is the only London structure that is, in the event of a fire, evacuated via the lifts, which required Parliamentary legislation.
5. How long does it take by lift to reach to top?
20 seconds
CORRECT The Tower’s lifts can go from ground level to the viewing platform in 20 seconds, moving at 23ft per second, they’re among the fastest in Europe.
30 seconds
WRONG The Tower’s lifts can go from ground level to the viewing platform in 20 seconds, moving at 23ft per second, they’re among the fastest in Europe.
40 seconds
WRONG The Tower’s lifts can go from ground level to the viewing platform in 20 seconds, moving at 23ft per second, they’re among the fastest in Europe.
6. How far does the Tower sway in very high winds?
15 inches
WRONG Its cylindrical shape is said to withstand wind from nuclear bombs. The BT Tower only sways 10 inches during storms with winds of 95mph.
10 inches
CORRECT Its cylindrical shape is said to withstand wind from nuclear bombs. The BT Tower only sways 10 inches during storms with winds of 95mph.
20 inches
WRONG Its cylindrical shape is said to withstand wind from nuclear bombs. The BT Tower only sways 10 inches during storms with winds of 95mph.
7. How many LEDs does the revolving display contain?
201,600
WRONG The original lighting system only consisted of 7 different colour schemes and was replaced by a 360-degree coloured lighting display in October 2009. This LED-based display is the largest of its kind in the world as it consists of 529,750 LEDs, arranged in 177 vertical strips, and covers an area of 3,000 square feet. The screen covers both the 36th and 37th floors of the building at a height of 548 feet.
469,375
WRONG The original lighting system only consisted of 7 different colour schemes and was replaced by a 360-degree coloured lighting display in October 2009. This LED-based display is the largest of its kind in the world as it consists of 529,750 LEDs, arranged in 177 vertical strips, and covers an area of 3,000 square feet. The screen covers both the 36th and 37th floors of the building at a height of 548 feet.
529,750
CORRECT The original lighting system only consisted of 7 different colour schemes and was replaced by a 360-degree coloured lighting display in October 2009. This LED-based display is the largest of its kind in the world as it consists of 529,750 LEDs, arranged in 177 vertical strips, and covers an area of 3,000 square feet. The screen covers both the 36th and 37th floors of the building at a height of 548 feet.
8. Who opened the revolving restaurant?
Harold Wilson and Fanny Cradock
WRONG The Tower was officially opened to the public by Postmaster General Benn and holiday camp owner Butlin on 19th May 1966 after HM Queen Elizabeth visited it on 17th May 1966.
Reginald Maudling and Marguerite Patten
WRONG The Tower was officially opened to the public by Postmaster General Benn and holiday camp owner Butlin on 19th May 1966 after HM Queen Elizabeth visited it on 17th May 1966.
Billy Butlin and Anthony Wedgwood Benn
CORRECT The Tower was officially opened to the public by Postmaster General Benn and holiday camp owner Butlin on 19th May 1966 after HM Queen Elizabeth visited it on 17th May 1966.
9. What was the Tower originally to be called?
The Fitzrovia Mast
WRONG Occupying the site of the Museum Telephone Exchange the Tower was first planned in 1956 to be named after the original building.
The Museum Radio Tower
CORRECT Occupying the site of the Museum Telephone Exchange the Tower was first planned in 1956 to be named after the original building.
The London Tower
WRONG Occupying the site of the Museum Telephone Exchange the Tower was first planned in 1956 to be named after the original building.
10. What event precipitated a view that the unfinished Tower should be formally opened by the Queen?
The first Premium Bonds
CORRECT In July 1964 the PR opportunity of opening a part-finished Tower to coincide with the first Premium Bonds was rejected as it ‘would have no meaning whatsoever’.
The advent of colour television
WRONG In July 1964 the PR opportunity of opening a part-finished Tower to coincide with the first Premium Bonds was rejected as it ‘would have no meaning whatsoever’.
A general election
WRONG In July 1964 the PR opportunity of opening a part-finished Tower to coincide with the first Premium Bonds was rejected as it ‘would have no meaning whatsoever’.
CabbieBlog 
Beetley did better than me (by 3) I hold my head in shame.
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Thanks for trying, admittedly abysmally. Good luck next month.
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I got most of them wrong, and I have actually been up there to eat in the revolving restaurant! Everyone I knew called it the GPO Tower, and I still call it that to this day. 🙂
So, only 3/10 today.
Cheers, Pete.
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Most of the trivia I found on John Grindrod’s piece on Substack, alas I didn’t know most of the questions before reading it.
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