DuPont Sign, New York World's Fair - March 1964
Today I am presenting the second installment of slides that feature the building and installing of the huge sign that was outside the DuPont pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair (part one was posted on January 3rd).
As you can see, the finished components of the sign have been loaded up on a big flat-bed truck for the journey to Flushing Meadows in Queens. Thanks to this photo, we know that the sign was built by Belsinger Sign Works, in Baltimore. Looking at Google Maps, that's roughly a four hour drive (though it is rush hour as I write this).
Here's a photo of Belsinger Sign Works; at first I thought it was still a going concern today (you know how it is, the Internet is full of old articles). But then I found this statement from a former Belsinger employee ("NJ", since it might be impolite to reveal his name here): The sign company I worked 36 years for in Baltimore [Belsinger Signworks] made it to almost 102 years when it closed two years ago (it closed in 2021). A great legacy and a great ride. My first real job out of high school! I continue my almost 40-year sign journey with one other coworker of those 36 years at a great, larger sign company nearby. This trade truly gets in your blood, lol!
I absolutely love photos like this, showing the Fair site as a hive of activity in the weeks leading up to opening day (which was only a month or so after these photos were taken - April 22nd, 1964). Just drive your car onto the property and park in front of your pavilion! The partially-wrapped pole near the center of the image is where the DuPont sign would be mounted. The blue structure behind the gentleman to the right is a cluster of phone booths.
That tall arched structure behind the sign pole indicated the location of the 7-Up Sandwich Garden, where fresh sandwiches (hot and cold) grew on trees.
What a picture! I have another similar example for the next DuPont blog post. The giant "egg" of the IBM pavilion is to the left, the red umbrella roof of the Travelers Pavilion is above the red pickup truck, and the Bell System pavilion is in the distance, almost out of frame to the right.
It's hard to believe that the Fair would be ready for guests in a matter of weeks! There's a man above the "Sofia Movers" vehicle doing a ceremonial dance to ensure good luck. The sign is hooked up to a crane, but they have to wait for the giant hot glue gun to warm up before they can put the sign in place. Yes, I know a lot about this sort of thing. Don't be jealous.
Stay tuned for PART THREE, whenever I get around to it!
9 comments:
One (me) wonders why the 4th picture was taken in 'portrait' orientation. Seems like it would've been much better in 'landscape' mode; a lot less blacktop.
In the last pic, the double DuPont signs look like the brassiere of "The 50 Foot Woman". Like you said, it looks like the Fair will never open on time; just like how Disneyland looked like it wouldn't open on time.
I too, like these construction photos of the '64 Fair, and of course, Disneyland. Thanks, Major.
Major-
It's pretty swell to see the progress of this massive sign as it moves to its "permanent" home.
In the 3rd image, I was a bit surprised to see that 1963 Buick Special (perhaps in Regal Black) equipped with 'backup lights' - an additional charge back in those days of about $10.00. (Nothing was too good for this World's Fair-!)
Thanks, Major.
Yes. Lovin all the workers cars and trucks. My 66 chevelle had the “deluxe” seatbelts. The cost an extra $3.95 according to the bill of sale.
Thanks for the “behind the scene” pictures Major. Or are these behind the sign?
My uncle was just weeks from graduating from college and starting work as a chemist with DuPont when these were taken. I don’t know if he and my aunt attended the Fair (my oldest cousin was a year old in 1964 and the lab my uncle worked at was in Flint, Michigan), but my parents did. Need to ask my dad if he remembers anything about the DuPont pavilion when I see him next week.
Note the cop just north of center frame in the last photo. I wasn’t allowed to call policemen “cops” as a kid; my mother thought it was disrespectful. I had to find a different term to refer to the Fuzz.
Thanks, Major!
Signs of the Times. Construction photos are always fun! One amazing thing about construction is how the chaos of the last week magically clears up.
Thanks Major!
JG
Major-
Last night I noticed the red truck, almost out of frame in the last image, but just now decided to see what I could figure out. [And apparently] in the tradition of long-operating sign companies... the Going Sign Company now of Plainview, New York - also over 100 years old, and still family owned and operated - was involved at the fair.
JB, as a rule I prefer “landscape” orientation for most photos. There are exceptions of course. The portrait mode make me think of YouTube videos that are annoying! Hmmm, I sure never thought about a giant bra re: the DuPont sign, but you think outside of the box! I have lots more construction (and DEstruction) photos from the Fair!
Nanook, interesting; when you think about it, $10 in 1963 was probably more like $100 today, so not an insignificant expense. I would want to have those lights!
Budblade, by “deluxe” seatbelts, do you mean that they were somehow different than regular seatbelts? Maybe covered with sequins? hanks for the “behind the scene” pictures Major. Or are these behind the sign? BOTH!
Chuck, your uncle must have been a smart guy! Too bad you don’t know if he and your aunt went to the Fair. Definitely ask your dad about his experiences there, that’s some real history! It’s funny how “cop” used to be disrespectful, and now the police use it themselves. There are other words they are not so fond of.
JG, it really is astonishing to think that the Fair would open in a matter of weeks, and it truly looks like there is no way they will finish on time. But they did! I’m sure there were more than a few round-the-clock days of insanity.
Nanook, good eye on that red truck! I assume they were there to help with the installation of the DuPont sign, but who knows. It’s nice to know that they are still around!
In the second fair photo, you can also see the Spain pavilion (the gray office-like building) and the pagoda of the Republic of Chine (Taiwan), along with the Unisphere peeking above the trees.
I'd be a little nervous about leaving my car so close to where giant signs were being hoisted several stories up. Overall, the site doesn't look like there's much of a "safety first" attitude.
My uncle is a smart guy, Major. He ended up moving into management and finally retired as the president of a DuPont subsidiary in the LA area. He also married my dad’s sister, so he has great taste, too.
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