---
title: The History Of The Geodesic Dome
description: The geodesic dome has really come into its own in the modern era. But what was the first ever dome built for?
image: https://news.trudomes.com/hubfs/Dome_Jena_UnderConstruction.jpg
---

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# The History Of The Geodesic Dome

Geodesic structures have been appearing in various forms throughout history, but the first truly geodesic dome was actually designed by Walther Bauersfeld, to be used as a planetarium and built on the roof of the Carl Zeiss optical company plant in Jena, Germany. This small structure was patented, and a larger structure in Jena later opened to the public in 1926 , which was impressively named ‘The Wonder of Jena’.

![Dome_Jena_UnderConstruction](https://news.trudomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dome_Jena_UnderConstruction.jpg?width=785&name=Dome_Jena_UnderConstruction.jpg)

Bauersfeld may have designed the original structure but it was R. Buckminster Fuller who labelled the dome ‘geodesic’ around 20 years later, and it is he who is credited with popularising the design in the USA, even receiving a patent in June, 1954. Buckminster Fuller loved the geodesic dome for the same reasons we do – the many-triangled construction made it incredibly strong for its weight, and the dome shape allowed it to enclose the greatest volume for the least surface area.

From these original structures have come some of the world’s most famous venues; Thomas C. Howard introduced the dome to a wider audience when one was used as a pavilion at the World’s Fair in 1964, and it’s still in use today as an aviary by Queens Zoo. And of course, who could forget the UK’s very own landmark dome at the Eden Project in Cornwall? This structure proves the impressive economic values of the dome as it’s able to maintain a stunning tropical environment beneath its curved roof.

![dahlias-biome-eden-project-2015-©Hufton+Crow-048](https://news.trudomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dahlias-biome-eden-project-2015-%C2%A9Hufton+Crow-048.jpg?width=1400&name=dahlias-biome-eden-project-2015-%C2%A9Hufton+Crow-048.jpg)

Now popular as glamping pods, the geodesic dome has really come into its own in the modern era and we love seeing our TruDomes being used all over the country ­– why not show us yours via social media? You can find us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TruDomes/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/TruDomes)

 

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[How To: Turn Your Dome Into A Hot Tub Dome**](https://news.trudomes.com/how-to-turn-your-dome-into-a-hot-tub-dome)

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