London's constantly changing skyline presents a magnificent tapestry of architectural gems, with the likes of The Shard, Gherkin, and London Eye serving as contemporary landmarks. However, step back in time to 1951, and you would have witnessed an remarkable rocket-shaped structure soaring into the heavens beside the Thames - the Skylon.

This space-age wonder formed part of the Festival of Britain, a post-war celebration organised under the Labour government. Standing at 300 feet tall and weighing an impressive 100 tonnes, the Skylon appeared to hover in mid-air, mesmerising spectators.

Architect Philip Powell remembered the Skylon's magnetic appeal: "At night it was lit from inside by hundreds of lightbulbs, and by day, when it was windy, the air rushed through the aluminium louvres t

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