10 Pics Remembering When ‘Spider-Dan’ Free-Climbed the Chicago Sears Tower in 1981
Carly Tennes
Published
12/08/2024
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Though we may all know Spider-Man, "Spider Dan" is an unsung hero for the ages.
In 1981, Spider Dan — a.k.a. rock climber Dan Goodwin — decided to take a page out of Peter Parker's book, proving a point about the dangers of high-rise fires by scaling Chicago's Sears Tower. Seven hours later, he had made history, not only landing under arrest, but also capturing the hearts of Chicagoans who decided to look up that fateful Memorial Day.
From his scary inspiration to his superhero ending, here are 10 pics remembering when Spider-Dan free-climbed the Chi-Town monument.
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1. Look Out, It’s Spider-Dan
Image Courtesy of WTTW ChicagoWhether you call it the Sears Tower or the Willis Tower, rock climber Daniel Goodwin — a.k.a. Spider-Dan — scaled the Chicago skyscraper in May 1981, somehow living to tell the tale. -
2. It All Starts in Vegas
Image is in the Public DomainGoodwin’s decision to ascend the 110 story building began in Las Vegas, Nevada in November 1980, when he witnessed a massive fire engulf MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Despite offering advice to officials on how to rescue guests trapped inside the building’s higher floors, he was ignored and allegedly threatened him with arrest. -
3. Rising To The Occasion
Courtesy of NBC ChicagoUnfortunately, several of these travelers were never rescued, with the majority of the fire’s 85 deaths attributed to smoke inhalation. As such, Goodwin decided to take a stand — or should we say climb — heading up the iconic skyscraper to make a point about the pitfalls of high-rise firefighting. -
4. The Setup
Courtesy of the Chicago TribuneAfter scouting the Illinois locale for several weeks and dropping $450 on a Spider-Man-themed getup, Goodwin headed to the Sears Tower in the early hours of Memorial Day 1981, beginning his ascent at roughly 3 a.m. with the help of a ladder-wielding pal. Using suction clips and a “home-welded claw,” as the Chicago Tribune called it, the climb would ultimately take seven hours. -
5. Safety First
Courtesy of the Chicago TribuneGoodwin’s stunt was first noticed three hours later — around 6 a.m. — when building staffers caught a glimpse of his orange and blue hero suit while on their way to raise the skyscraper’s flags. But instead of demanding he turn around, security officials took a different approach, offering him a safety net in the form of a window scaffold once he reached the building’s 55th floor. -
6. Local Reactions
Courtesy of the Chicago TribuneBy 10:30 a.m., crowds enjoying the holiday weekend had gathered to watch the stunt, one complicated by high winds, and the building’s slick glass facade. Beloved by residents, he was quickly nicknamed “Spider Dan,” after the iconic Marvel character. -
7. “It Was The Expedient Thing To Do”
Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune“It was the expedient thing to do,” a deputy district fire chief said of the decision. “I was afraid he’d use up his energy trying to avoid us.” -
8. The Arrest
Courtesy of the Chicago TribuneAfter briefly stopping to tape an American Flag towards the top of the building, an homage to his Korean War veteran father, Goodwin finally reached the skyscraper’s apex. He was almost immediately arrested by local law enforcement and charged with disorderly conduct. The following day he was released on bond. -
9. Words of Wisdon
Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune“I’ve done a lot of daring things before. I’ve sort of mastered fear,” he told fans who flocked to meet him the day after his arrest at Chicago's Pump Room. -
10. A Super Hero Ending
Image in the Public DomainThe Sears Tower climb was far from a one-off for Goodwin. Over the next three decades, he’d go on to scale several of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, Tokyo’s Nippon Television Tower, and most recently, Torre Telefónica Chile in Santiago, Chile.
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Look Out, It’s Spider-Dan
Whether you call it the Sears Tower or the Willis Tower, rock climber Daniel Goodwin — a.k.a. Spider-Dan — scaled the Chicago skyscraper in May 1981, somehow living to tell the tale.
Whether you call it the Sears Tower or the Willis Tower, rock climber Daniel Goodwin — a.k.a. Spider-Dan — scaled the Chicago skyscraper in May 1981, somehow living to tell the tale.
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