Wednesday, November 07, 2012

New York World's Fair

It's time for another random selection of photos from the 1964 New York World's Fair!

First up is this photo of the bridge over the Grand Central Parkway that visitors had to cross in order to get to the transportation section. That's where you'd find cool stuff like General Motors' "Futurama", Ford's "Magic Skyway", Sinclair Oil's "Dinoland", the Chrysler Pavilion, and much more. I'd say it's worth the trek!


Speaking of the Magic Skyway, here's a rare interior view from the ramp that took you up to the boarding area for that legendary ride. There were four tableaus that guests saw as they went up the ramp, symbolizing "PDSQ" - Performance, Dependability, Style, and Quality. This particular tableau exemplifies Performance, depicting Henry Ford's "Old 999". Ford himself drove the 999 to a record speed of 92 m.p.h. on the frozen surface of Lake St. Clair, Michigan, in 1904.


Here's an odd one! No, this lady has not been hospitalized for exhaustion. She is at one of the "rest alcoves" over at the Simmons pavilion (as in Simmons mattresses). From the souvenir guidebook: Attendants escort visitors upstairs to sleeping alcoves with adjustable beds, set a timer, and gently wake them if they sleep beyond the half-hour period. It cost 50 cents per half hour.


I threw this one in just because. The photograph might have been taken from aboard the AMF Monorail, and below us is part of the Amusement Zone. You can see a sign at the bottom of the image advertising the Log Flume Ride, one of the very first (but not the first) in existence. 


19 comments:

Nanook said...

A "rest alcove". That's what's missing from my humdrum life. Zzzzzzz......

Rich T. said...

I keep hoping Disneyland Resort will someday have little sleep cubicals for rent. They can name it after the cartoon Lullaby Land.

I love those four characters in the Ford Tableau--they remind me of the whimsical side of late-60's Tomorrowland--like the little animated people on the Peoplemover ramp and Inner Space's exit displays.

TokyoMagic! said...

That lady at the Simmons pavilion isn't using her peach-colored "blankey"!

Rich, if DL did open sleep cubicals, I'm sure they would charge an outrageous fee to rent them. They are just too greedy!

Mike said...

The giant tire ferris wheel pictured in the top photo can now be found (minus the passenger seats) along Interstate 94 in Dearborn, Michigan near Mile Marker 205.

Alonzo P Hawk said...

A "rest alcove". That's what's missing from every "womans" store my wife drags me into. Michael's,Hobby Lobby, Ikea.

Like the lady in the picture I unbuckled my belt at just the thought of 50 cents for a nap.

Clyde Hughes said...

Was the first Log Flume Ride at Six Flags Over Texas? I recall reading about the millions of dollars spent in developing it at that location.

Melissa said...

Sure, Mr. Ford, we believe it's 999 and not an upside-down 666. The car may have one horn, but I bet the driver has two!

What does the "T&T" in the first picture stand for?

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, I wonder how popular those sleep alcoves were. One of the stranger offerings at the Fair, I'd say.

Rich T., the Peoplemover vehicles used to be nice little sleep cubicles!

TokyoMagic!, we should be grateful that she remained clothed.

E Michael Gannon, I've seen pictures of it there… it's basically a big billboard now.

Alonzo, I think it's kind of funny that (presumably) the lady's husband decided to snap a photo at that particular moment.

Clyde, I think Six Flags Over Texas was the very first flume ride. It's not surprising that it was expensive to develop, being the first of its kind.

Melissa, Mr. Ford and Mr. Toad are enjoying each other's company in Hell!

K. Martinez said...

Last time I checked, Main Street Cinema appeared to be sleep cubicle. Free too!

Nanook said...

Yes, the first flume ride was El Aserradero at Six Flags Over Texas, opening in 1963. And it was designed by none other than Bud Hurlbut.

210Frwy said...

Just want to say how enjoyable it is to read GDB every morning after I awake from my sleeping alcove.

Dean Finder said...

@Melissa,
T&T stood for Transportation & Travel Pavilion
http://www.nywf64.com/trantrav01.shtml
Complete with 96 foot high "moon dome"

Clyde Hughes said...

Thanks Major and Nanook!
I concur with 210Frwy - I look forward to these each and every day!

Melissa said...

Thanks, Dean!

Major Pepperidge said...

K. Martinez, if only the Cinema had seats!

Nanook, don't forget good the fact that it was built by good old Arrow design.

210Frwy, I imagine your sleep alcove looking like the hibernation chambers in the original "Alien" movie.

Dean Finder, thank you, I forgot to answer that part of Melissa's question!

Clyde Hughes, thanks for checking in... the more the merrier!

Melissa, I have failed you.

dennis said...

I have been without electricity for 10 days due to Hurricane Sandy.Power finally restored, and its great to see a new batch of Worlds Fair pictures! Thanks Major! Dennis,Levittown,Long Island,NY

Major Pepperidge said...

Wow Dennis, I am sorry that you have been through such an ordeal. I remember when my power went out for 14 hours and it seemed like a disaster. But 10 days?!? I can't even imagine. I hope you and your family are OK.

Bill Cotter said...

That's the first picture I've seen of one of the Simmon's rest alcoves.

I just posted some pictures of some of the exhibits at Simmons. They make the sleep alcove look like it was needed after the thrill of the exhibits: http://www.worldsfaircommunity.org/topic/12471-even-dictators-and-murderers-need-their-sleep/

Bill

Nancy said...

Another set of images I have never seen before. You are so good at bringing the Fair to life for we who never got to see it first-hand!

More, please!!