The Adler Planetarium opened on May 12, 1930 — the birthday of Max Adler, the man who paid for it.
This was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Before it opened, there were 15 planetariums in Germany, 2 in Italy, 1 in Russia, and 1 in Austria. Zero in the Americas. Max Adler — a retired Sears, Roebuck executive — visited a planetarium in Munich and decided Chicago needed one.
He gave $500,000 — about $9 million today.
Now turn around. You're standing at one of the most photographed spots in Chicago. That skyline view? Every postcard. Every movie establishing shot. This is where they stand.
— From the tour: Landfill of Dreams
