New York World's Fair, October 1964
Deciding what to share on "Anything Goes Saturdays" is always vexing. It's like trying to decide what to have for dinner. Lobster thermidor? Yuck, not again. Filet mignon? Eh, not in the mood. Kraft mac 'n cheese? EUREKA! And so, I somewhat randomly chose to select some slide scans from the 1964 New York World's Fair, from October, 1964.
First up is this nice shot looking across the Pool of Industry (not to be confused with the Puddle of Ennui) at the Bell Systems pavilion, with a jet from La Guardia passing by. To the right, the Fountain of the Planets can be seen. Man's speediest communication was once by drumbeat and smoke signal. Now he sends messages around the world by bouncing them off satellites in space. The story of this breathtaking advance in communications is told visually in a 15-minute armchair ride in the giant "floating wing" that comprises the upper story of this pavilion. The wing itself, 400 feet long, is covered with lightweight Fiberglas and rests on just four pylons.
As for that tower, it was one of the tallest structures at the Fair, a 140-foot microwave tower through which TV shows originating at the Fair are transmitted.
Next, the "Festival of Gas" building. A huge white umbrella-roof on two columns shelters a restaurant and exhibit areas set amid landscaped gardens. A giant elevated carousel carries visitors on a tour of the World of Gas, from the gaslit streets of yesteryear to a futuristic City of Tomorrow.
Inside that semicircle we can see a blue-uniformed tour guide. Up above is a giant carousel, 12 feet off the ground, slowly revolves within the exhibit area and permits riders to view the displays they are about to visit. A complete turn takes about five minutes.
A surprising number of photos were taken of the Mormon Church's pavilion, which resembled the temple in Salt Lake City. Guides from the first year of the Fair's operation mention a white cloud, visible for a great distance, hovers around three towers. I'm not sure I've ever seen a photo of this pavilion with the mysterious cloud! By 1965, the guides no longer mention this feature.
And lastly - mama mia! Just look at that crowd gathered near General Electric's "Progressland" pavilion! The Fair's first season ended on October 18th, and I can't help wondering if this is from that date, or possibly from right before? I do have some other slides from the Fair's final closure in 1965, and they resemble this one. As most of you already know, Progressland contained (among other things) Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.
I hope you have enjoyed today's photos from the 1964 New York World's Fair!
1 comment:
1) The Bell Systems "floating wing" is an interesting piece of architecture; very representative of the World's Fair 'look' from this time.
2) The old guy leaning against that strut has caused it to lean precipitously. I'm not sure how the umbrella thingys play into this pavilion. I guess they contain the various historical 'gas vinettes'?
3) Hmm, now that is strange; the "cloud", I mean. I wonder is it was ever a real effect of some sort. Or maybe it was just mentioned in the pre-fair publicity pamphlet and never was actually included?
4) Is the GE Progressland pavilion the one with the swirly light show in the roof, at night? Looks like we can see the Bell Systems "floating wing" in the background.
This was very tasty Kraft mac 'n cheese indeed! Thanks, Major.
Post a Comment