NYWF, 1964

It's time for another visit to the 1964 New York World's Fair, in the merry month of August. This series of photos has the odd distinction of looking as if they were taken through a telescope. What gives? It's kind of annoying, but what can ya do.

Looking past the Equitable Life pavilion (where you would be entertained by a frightening "population clock"), you can't miss the giant "egg" atop the IBM pavilion. Beneath that ovate structure was the "people wall": "Every 15 minutes, or so, bomb bay-like doors at the base of the ovoid swung open and the entire People Wall was hydraulically lifted on a 45 degree angle, 50 feet into the Information Machine, IBM's name for the ovoid theater and the 15-screen movie about computers that was presented inside." The film was produced by Charles and Ray Eames. Sounds pretty cool!


I knew it! The Freemasons were involved! Just imagine, dark and bloody secret rituals that determined the fate of the free world took place in that humble structure. Oh sure, they had some nice exhibits: " The statue of the first President, in Masonic regalia, dominates the hall. His life is portrayed in three-dimensional scenes, and his Inaugural Bible, his Farewell Address and his Masonic Apron are displayed." An apron you say? How could I be worried about any organization that wears aprons? I feel so silly now.


The world was a lot smaller 45 years ago, and attractions like the dancers at the African Pavilion must have seemed very strange and exotic.


I wasn't sure how this slide would scan, but it came out OK I guess. It's hard to make out much, with the exception of the giant photos on top of the Eastman Kodak Pavilion. Just below them you can barely see the outlines of the Tower of the Four Winds, and in the distance are the two towers that were part of the New York State Pavilion.