Springfield Doughnut

Coordinates: 43°20′13.92″S 171°55′40.80″E / 43.3372000°S 171.9280000°E / -43.3372000; 171.9280000
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Springfield Doughnut
The original Springfield Doughnut from 2007
Map
Year2007, 2012
TypeConcrete
Dimensions3.5 m diameter (11 ft)
LocationSpringfield, New Zealand
Coordinates43°20′13.92″S 171°55′40.80″E / 43.3372000°S 171.9280000°E / -43.3372000; 171.9280000

The Springfield Doughnut is a sculpture of a pink doughnut with sprinkles located in Springfield, New Zealand. It is based on the doughnut frequently featured in the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, which is set in a city also named Springfield. It was presented to the town by 20th Century Fox to promote the 2007 film The Simpsons Movie.[1] The sculpture has a diameter of 3.5 metres (11 ft) and weighs 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons).[2]

History[edit]

The original sculpture, constructed from polystyrene encased in fibreglass, was first presented to the town of Springfield in July 2007 by 20th Century Fox in efforts to promote the 2007 film The Simpsons Movie.[1] It was given a resource consent that said the doughnut would only be in place for six weeks.[2] In September 2009, an arsonist lit the doughnut on fire, which destroyed it.[1] As this occurred on the same day as the consent hearings discussing whether the sculpture should remain permanently, there was suspicion that the perpetrator was an opponent of the doughnut who saw it as a degradation of the landscape or believed that the town should "not associate with American cartoons about dysfunctional families".[2] Afterwards, Springfield locals painted a tractor tyre pink and tan and adorned it with sprinkles to take the place of the destroyed sculpture. They also removed part of the tyre to represent a bite taken from the doughnut.[1][3][4]

On the afternoon of 1 July 2012, a replacement sculpture was unveiled. This sculpture is made from concrete, has a diameter of 3.5 metres (11 ft) and weighs 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons). It is fireproof and has steps that allow people to take pictures with their heads poking through the middle.[1][5] Between 2020 and 2023, after the paintwork began flaking and falling off, the sculpture was repainted four times, costing $17,864.[3][6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "History of the Simpsons Donut in Springfield, New Zealand". Bachcare. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Eleven, Beck (27 September 2009). "Dohhh! the donut's done for". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Cost of repainting big donut hard to swallow". Otago Daily Times. 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Springfield Doughnut". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  5. ^ "New doughnut for Springfield". Stuff. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. ^ Alvey, Daniel (10 August 2023). "Specialist paint needed to repair Springfield's flaking donut". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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