The Great Chicago Bean Spill: Unveiling the Mystery Meat (Just Kidding, It's Not Meat)
Ah, the Chicago Bean. A reflective bean-shaped behemoth that has become a tourist mainstay and a magnet for selfie sticks. But have you ever stopped to wonder, "What on earth is that giant bean made of?"
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| What is The Big Bean In Chicago Made Of |
Not Soylent Green (We Hope)
Fear not, fellow travelers, the Bean is not some dystopian future food source. There's no mystery meat involved, despite the occasional questionable hot dog vendor you might encounter (we're looking at you, Squeegee Steve).
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The Truth is Stainless, my Friend
The Bean, officially known as Cloud Gate (though everyone knows better), is actually made of polished stainless steel. Yes, that same stuff they use in your kitchen sink, but a whole lot more of it. We're talking 168 giant, precision-cut plates welded together to create that smooth, reflective surface.
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Imagine a jigsaw puzzle made entirely of metal sheets the size of your car. That's basically what the Bean is!
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Why Stainless Steel?
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So why stainless steel? Well, a few reasons:
- Durability: This shiny guy needs to withstand the Windy City's weather, from scorching summers to brutal winters. Stainless steel can handle it all.
- Reflectivity: The whole point of the Bean is to reflect the city skyline and the ever-changing sky. Polished stainless steel is the ultimate mirror, making for some truly trippy photo ops.
- Low Maintenance: Let's face it, nobody wants to be power-washing a giant bean every other week. Stainless steel is pretty low-maintenance, just needing an occasional wipe down to keep it sparkling.
Fun Fact: No Seams Allowed!
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Those welds are so good, you can't even see them. The Bean's surface is smooth as a whistle, creating that seamless, almost liquid-like look.
So there you have it! The next time you're in Chicago, you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of the Bean's innards (or lack thereof).
How-To Bean FAQs
- How to Get the Perfect Bean Selfie? Aim low! The best Bean pics capture the distorted reflection of the city skyline below.
- How to Resist the Urge to Touch the Bean? It's hard, we know. But the oils from your fingers can damage the polish. Admire from afar!
- How to Pronounce Cloud Gate? It's "Cloud Gate," not "Cloudy Gate." But hey, "The Bean" works too.
- How to Find the Bean? Head to Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. You can't miss it!
- How to Make a Mini-Bean at Home? Grab some aluminum foil and get creative! It won't be quite the same, but it'll keep you entertained.
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