Hilton International Hotels figures the worldwide demand for exotic travel destinations eventually will lead to tourist trips to the Moon.
The chain hired British architect Peter Inston to draw up blueprints for a glass-domed inn to house thousands of consumers in the not-too-far future. The Lunar Hilton would have pressurized guest rooms, recreation and medical facilities, and deep-space viewing platforms. Hotel chain founder Barron Hilton had predicted back in 1967 that tourists would travel in space ferries to a Lunar Hilton where they would eat freeze-dried steaks and drink reconstituted martinis. Hilton International reportedly spent $300,000 on plans for the project, which would offer numerous engineering challenges and safety hazards. Sources: Hotels in Space speech by Barron Hilton, President, Hilton Hotels Corporation 1967 Conference Proceedings (AAS 67-126), American Astronautical Society (AAS) U.S. News & World Report, June 1, 1998 If it's Tuesday, this must be the Moon, San Francisco Examiner |
