Written by When met with a prompt of cityscape today, I wasn’t quite sure what to sketch, but looking out of my window at work, I saw this building and was suddenly inspired. This is a doodlewash of the original TWA headquarters here in Kansas City, a now defunct airline that was wildly popular when I was a kid. It’s now home to an advertising agency, but I decided to restore it to its original version circa 1956. This was when Howard Hughes installed the rocket ship on top of the building, which was an homage to his partnership with Walt Disney. From 1955 through 1962, you could find the so-named TWA Moonliner as part of the first futuristic exhibit located in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. It was a towering 76 feet (23 m) tall and the tallest structure in the theme park at the time. In 1998, it was reinstalled in Disneyland at one-third of the original size, with the same red stripes, but this time in support of Coca-Cola. Though the rocket was removed from this particular building as soon as the TWA sponsorship ended and Hughes sold the airline, it was restored in 2006, minus the TWA signs on top, and is now an extremely cool view from my office window.
There are many Disney connections like this one in Kansas City as Walt himself moved here at the age of 9 and later began his career here. He created a company in Kansas City called Laugh-O-Gram Studios, which sadly went bankrupt in 1923. But during his time here, as the stories go, he met an actual mouse that lived in his desk drawer who would later become known as Mickey and transform into one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time. The kid in me adores stories like these, of course, and I’ll happily assume they must be true. I now live just blocks away from this original studio and it’s inspiring to think that such imaginative history was being made there years ago. I grew up enjoying all of those Disney stories, the kind of story where bad things may happen, but everything turns out beautifully in the end. These are still the only stories I love to tell. To me, they aren’t idealistic, but actually the truest stories of life, if we can stop to consider everything that’s really happened. No matter what happens in life, hope is always there like a shy person in the corner of the room, just waiting to be noticed.
And each time I look out of my office window and see a rocket ship, I’m reminded of those grand ideas of the dreamers who came before me. The only real limit we face in life is the limit of our own imagination. If we can dream it, it’s actually quite possible. As long as we commit to pursuing it with all of the heart and effort required to make it a reality. So many times in life, I find myself stopping short of doing something that I think would be a wonderful idea. It’s inspiring to think about people who didn’t take that moment to pause and second guess all of their actions. The ones who plunged forward, chasing the craziest of ideas and ultimately making history as we know it. I often look at them with awe, but have to stop and wonder if we’re really all that different in the end. Their stories share a common notion. They never once stopped to question things, but were driven to make the seemingly impossible happen. Daunting still, to be sure, but I have to be inspired when my mind suddenly drifts to a TWA Moonliner & Disney dreams.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, and Indigo (My “Vintage” Trio!). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Click Here! |
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Wow! Great painting and what a great view. Working as a computer operator most of my life, I was lucky to have more than one door and windows weren’t to be had, let alone great views. It’s a good thing I already had a good imagination and could imagine views of whatever I wanted.
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕Yeah, to be fair, the window is behind me, which is a good thing really, otherwise I would be distracted the entire time! lol
It’s beautifully designed n painted . nice view from the office window.u capchered.each n every angle perfectly.
Congrats lios.
Thanks so much.
Thanks so much, Snehlata!😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this one! It’s a lovely view to have!
“The only real limit we face in life is the limit of our own imagination.”
So very true!
I learn so much by visiting here. I truly thought Walt Disney was born and lived in
California all his life. The TWA building is a treat. I had flown TWA out of Pittsburgh many years ago. Once again you have brought back some found memories. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕 Yes… Walt actually grew up here in Kansas City like me! Had he actually been successful here, we might not have had the Disney we know today, so sometimes failures are a good thing!
Thanks for bringing back a memory of my first trip to Disneyland in 1956 or 1957. I remember the original Moonliner! I was 6 at the time, and it truly seemed spectacular. I think they had some sort of crude simulator to make you think you were going into space. Wow. I haven’t thought of this in years. How lucky you are to look out on such a cool building. Disney and Hughes were both dreamers, but I had not known they once were collaborators. Very cool sketch!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this! And Yay! Thrilled it brought back great memories. How cool to have seen the original Moonliner. It was probably more impressive than the simulation back then. hehe… Fun!
I’ll have to remember your words when doubt creeps in. As it does now and then. My father did a pretty good job raising me with a can do mind set, but I do get shaky now and then when something doesn’t go well!
Yeah, I think it’s human nature to doubt, but darn it! I love trying to live without any doubts at all. It’s just WAY more fun that way. 😃💕
That would be an inspiring view! Love the building and the history.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s a great reminder to remember to always think like the dreamers!
I learned some history today! I also liked your good reminders about living life to the fullest. Love your writing!
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this post and my little bits of trivia. I’m always fascinating by the history of things. So much to learn there!
What fun tor read about this! I love it!
Oops! I should proofread before I hit submit!!
hehe… I auto-corrected in my head and didn’t even notice it! lol 😉
Thanks, Delores! 😃💕 It’s definitely a fun view to have outside my office!
Thus is an amazing building. You did a great job. Howard Hughes certainly kept things interesting didn’t he?
Thanks, June! 😃💕 Yes, Howard definitely had that way about him for sure. 😉
I live a half hour from Disneyland and didn’t know much of this history. Thanks for sharing so much about Walt Disney and the Kansas City connection.
TWA was around when airlines actually attempted to treat their customers with respect and top notch in-flight service. I miss the early years of air travel when it was an adventure. How cool that you can look out your building window and see a rocket!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s a cool history here and connection to Disney. And I totally agree… air travel used to be a heck of a lot more fun!