Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/05/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]THIS IS NOT SPAM Hi Everyone. Was wondering if any of you were at the 1964 World's fair. Did any of you take pictures? I've alwauys been fascinated by this particular fair. I missed it by 2 months but I played in the park and around its ruins for years. Please note this is not for a business scheme or anything like that I'm just curious about that fair Javier Here are some interesting facts and figures I foiund on a website Title: 1964 New York World's Fair, 1965 New York World's Fair. Theme (1): Peace Through Understanding. Theme (2): Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe or Man's Achievements in an Expanding Universe. Theme (3): A Millennium of Progress. Underlying Themes: Automation, Space Age. Visual Theme/Symbol: Unisphere. Location: Flushing Meadows (Corona Dump), Queens, New York. Area: 646 acres. Cost: $1,000,000,000. Revenue: $10,000,000 loss. Initial Bond: $35,000,000. New York City Appropriations: $24,000,000. Advanced Ticket Sales: $30,000,000. Exhibitor Advertising Expense (approximate): $75,000,000 by Closing Day. Exhibitor and Concessionaire Expense: $550,000,000. Exhibit Insurance Value: $300,000,000 (not including priceless items). Category: Special Exhibition. Exposition President: Robert Moses (1888?1981). President's Salary: $1,000,000. Dates: April 22 - October 18, 1964 and from April 21 - October 17, 1965 (360 days). Hours (1964): 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily (including Sundays and holidays). Amusements and restaurants open until 2:00 PM. Hours (1965): 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM daily (including Sundays and holidays). Most Pavilions open from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Amusements and restaurants open until 2:00 PM. Admission (1964): $2.00 for adults (13 and over), $1.00 for children (2-12). Admission (1965): $2.50 for adults (13 and over), $1.00 for children (2-12). Admission Gates (8): Main Entrance (#1), New Amsterdam (#2), Peter Stuyvesant (#3), Henry Hudson (#4), Meadow Lake (#5), River (#6), Rodman (#7), Lawrence (#8). Ticket Books (20 tickets): $30.00 for Adults, $15.00 for children. Children Days: 25?. Students Accompanied by Teacher: 25?. Advance Certificates Good for up to 25 Students with Teacher: $6.25. Projected Attendance: 70,000,000. Actual Attendance: 51,607,307 (27,000,000 in 1964). Foreign Visitors (estimate): 2% of total. Pavilions: 140-153. Structures: 154-170. Exhibit Areas (6): Industrial, International, Federal and States, Lake Amusements, Transportation, Flushing Bay. Federal and State Area (20): Alaska, Hollywood, Illinois, Long Island Railroad, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New England, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City Pavilion and Ice Theatre, New York State, Oklahoma, Unisphere, United States, Westinghouse, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Industrial Area (48): All-State Properties and Macy's, American Express, Arlington Hat, Bell Telephone Systems, Better Living Center, Boy Scouts of America, Chunky Candy, Clairol, Coca-Cola, Continental Insurance, Dupont, Dynamic Maturity, Eastman Kodak, Equitable Life, Festival of Gas, First National City Bank, Formica World's Fair House, General Cigar, General Electric, Hall of Education, House of Good Taste, IBM, Johnson Wax, Julimar Farms, Mastro Pizza, Medo Photo Supply, Mormon Church, National Cash Register, Oregon, Pan-American Highway Gardens, Parker Pen, Pavilion of American Interiors, Pepsi-Cola, Pool of Industry, Protestant and Orthodox Center, RCA, Rheingold, Russian Orthodox Church, Schaefer, Scott Paper, Seven-Up, Simmons, Singer Bowl, Tiparillo Band Pavilion, Tower of Light, Traveler's Insurance, US Post Office, World's Fair Pavilion. International Area (45): American Israel, African Pavilion, Austria, Belgian Village, Berlin, Billy Graham, British Lion Pub, Caribbean, Central America-Panama, Christian Science, Denmark, Garden of Meditation, Greece, Guinea, Hall of Free Enterprise, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, International Plaza, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Masonic Center, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Pavilion of Fine Arts, Philippines, Polynesia, Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Sermons From Science, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Swiss Sky Ride, Switzerland, Thailand, Two Thousand Tribes, United Arab Republic, Vatican, Venezuela. Lake Amusement Area (16): Aerial Tower Ride and Waffle Restaurant, Amphitheatre, Chun King Inn, Continental Circus, Dancing Waters, Florida, Flume Ride, Hawaii, Jaycopter Ride, Kiddyland, Lake Cruise, Les Poupees de Paris, Monorail, Santa Maria, Texas, Walter's International Wax Museum. Transportation Area (20): Auto Thrill Show, Avis Antique Car Ride, Century Grill, Chrysler, Eastern Airlines, Ford, General Motors, Greyhound, Hall of Science, Hertz, Lowenbrau Gardens, NMU Park, Port Authority Heliport, Sinclair, SKF, Socony Mobil, Space Park, Transportation and Travel, Underground World Home, US Rubber. Flushing Bay Area (3): Bounty, Shea Stadium, World's Fair Marina. State Buildings (19): Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Hollywood, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New England States, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin. New England States Building (6): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. Participating US States (23): Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Participating US Cities (3): New Orleans (Bourbon Street), Hollywood, New York City. Foreign Pavilions (34-35): African Pavilion, Austria, Belgium, Berlin, British Lion Pub, Caribbean, Central America-Panama, China (Taiwan), Denmark, Greece, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, International Plaza, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Korea (Republic of), Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Polynesia, Sierra Leone (1964), Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Republic, Vatican City, Venezuela. Participating Nations (80): Africa (26 nations), Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Granada, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Polynesia, Republic of China (Taiwan), Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Republic, Vatican City, Venezuela. These were all the references to individual countries that I found. Non-Participating Nations included: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, United Kingdom. Largest Structures: GM Futurama (1), Ford Rotunda (2). Design Committee (5): Edward Durell Stone, Emil Praeger, Gordon Bunshaft, Henry Dreyfuss, Wallace K Harrison. Commissioned Sculptures: 5. Employees: approximately 30,000. Interpreters (does not include bi-lingual attendants): 40. Hostess Uniform Designer: Jo Copeland. World's Fair Info: 888-1212. Weather Info: WE 6-1212. Least Visited Days: Friday and Sunday. Eastman-Kodak "Picture Taking Spots": 40. Swiss Clock Towers: 10. Arlington Hat Stands: 14 (1964), 11 (1965). Medo Camera Booths (5): 1 main building, 4 smaller shops. Information Booths: 21 (1964), 12 (1965). Special Sales Booths: 32 (1964), 15 (1965). Brass Rail Concessions (Refreshment Stands): 25 (1964-65) (another source says 36). General Food's Communication Arches: 11 (1964-65). Live Animals: 275. Mailboxes: 60. News Stands: 5 (1964), 7 (1965). Restaurants: 110-114. Hotdogs Consumed (estimated): 140,000,000. Public Restrooms: 4. Restrooms (Brass Rail): 25 (1964-1965). Benches (estimated): 1,500. Auditorium Seating: 39,000. Seating Available on the Grounds: for 65,300 people. Fair Telephones: 6,500. Public Telephones: 1,400 (all of them "touch-tone phones"). Family Telephone Booths: At least three air-conditioned stations for 4-6 people. Public Lockers: 2,500. Multi-colored Lamp Posts (road lighting): approximately 1,500. Lectour Radios: 8 (1964-1965). Lectour Receivers (pocket-radios): $1.25 per day. Television Sets (public service use): 250-300 (1964-1965). Lost Children (1964): approximately 6,000. Parking Lots (4): 20,000 cars. Parking: $1.50 a day. Towing and Parking: Sinclair Oil Company. Roadway: 12 miles. Pipe: 50 miles. Cable: 500 miles. Steel (Exhibit Buildings): 250,000 tons. Trees: 5,300. Dirt: 1,000,000 cubic yards. Gas and Water Pipe: 160,000 feet. Electric Wiring: 2,000,000 feet. Telephone Wire: 450,000,000 feet. Hotels (NYC): 380. Hotel Rooms (NYC): 100,000. Bus Stops (fairgrounds): 35. Greyhound Buses (fairgrounds): 300. Greyhound Representatives (blue uniforms): 100. Policemen: 300. Pinkerton Employees: 2,500+. Police Emergency Phones: 165. Firemen (100): New York City Fire Department Retirees. Fire Trucks (3): 17-foot Pumpers. First-Aid Stations: 5 (1964), 3 (1965). Doctors on Staff: 5. Hospital Beds: 30 (no overnight accommodations). Fountains (8): Astral, Lunar, Solar, Fountain of the Continents, Fountain of Progress North, Fountain of Progress South, Fountain of The Fairs, Fountain of the Planets. Fountain Water Capacity: 200,000,000 gallons daily. Fireworks (1964-65): $365,000. World's Fair Signs Pointing to the Fair: 1,500 (around New York City). Official Advertising Company: J Walter Thompson. Official Film Company: Wolfe Worldwide Films. Official Guidebook (English, French, Spanish): $1.00. Official Song: "Fair is Fair" by Richard Rogers. Official Souvenir Book (hardcover): $2.50. Official Souvenir Map: Regular Edition: $1.00, Deluxe Edition: $2.50. Official Suite: by Freode Grofe. Finance Committee Chairman: George E Spargo. NYC World's Fair Commissioner: Robert Wagner. Organizational Committee Chairman: Bernard F Gimbel. US World's Fair Commissioner: Norman K Winston. Woman's Advisory Council Chairman: Mrs. Oswald B. Lord. World's Fair Corporation Buildings (7): Administration, Entrance, Maintenance, Press, Security, US Post Office and the World's Fair Pavilion. Most Popular Exhibits: Sinclair's World of Dinosaurs, Walt Disney's' "It's a Small World" (Pepsi Pavilion), African Pavilion. New Products: Belgian Waffles, Electric Knife, Ford Mustang, IBM Selectric typewriter, Skateboards, Kellogg's Pop Tarts, Diet Pepsi, Maxim Freeze-dried Coffee, Rambler Martin Fastback and the Esso Tiger. Upcoming Future Products: compact cars, computer automation, copy machines, electronic calculators, "no-iron" clothing, "self-cleaning" ovens and a "Man on the Moon". US Nuclear Plants in Operation (1964): 17. TV Sets in the Country (1964): 50,000,000. No pets were allowed on the grounds or left in cars. Trivia 1958 - Robert Koppel (a lawyer from New York) conceives an idea for a New York World's Fair in 1964. Mayor Robert Wagner and Robert Moses (1888?1981) meet with President Dwight Eisenhower in Washington, DC to solicit federal support. 1960 - Robert Moses (1888?1981) resigns from all city and state posts to become Fair Corporation president with a salary of $100,000 a year. He was the New York City Park Commissioner prior to his World's Fair job. Robert Moses disrespect for the BIE and it's rules, forced the BIE to request that it's members not participate in the 1964 New York World's Fair. His dream was to complete Flushing Meadow Park. A project that was left incomplete since the 1939 NYWF. The original design architect, Gordon Bunshaft, proposed a large donut-shaped pavilion to house exhibits. He was replaced by Moses because the plan would cost millions to construct and counteracted Moses' plan for minimal construction with maximum profits. Walter Dorwin Teague's design was called "Journey to the Starts". A 170 foot high steel and aluminum spiral with "helium-filed star-shaped balloons floating above". Moses chose Gilmore Clarke's design, the 140 foot Unisphere. Construction begins on the Festival of Gas Pavilion in April, 1962. The Heliport was the first operational building constructed. More than a half-billion dollars was spent before the Fair opened. Two hundred trees in the Park had to be "relocated" due to construction. It was reported that almost 30,000,000 tickets were sold before Opening Day. Fifteen religious organizations participated rent-free. Most of the temporary structures had a natural lifespan of 5 years. Most buildings were so well constructed that they could have survived up to 40 years. The Fair Post Office was also an exhibit. Carrier air-conditioned no less than 15 buildings on the grounds. Owens-Corning furnished Fiberglas for many of the buildings and structures. Even the benches, telephone booths and the Sinclair Dinosaurs were made of Fiberglas. The 1,500 Multi-colored Lights adorning the Fair grounds used 15 different colors with color combinations for avenues. Richard Rogers wrote the Official World's Fair Song. He also wrote the music for the musical "Oklahoma". You could ride in an Amphicar in Meadow Lake. The International Amphicar Owners Club. It was estimated that 55% of visitors lived within 60 miles of Flushing Meadow Park. The decision for No "nudie shows" or "thrill rides" in the amusement area made it a financial disaster in 1964, losing millions of dollars. The State of Montana's "museum" exhibit was housed in railroad cars and included $1,000,000 worth of gold nuggets. Louisiana's Pavilion featured a reproduction "Bourbon Street" complete with jazz musicians. You could eat Reindeer Burgers in Alaska's Pavilion or have good "microwave" food at the Greyhound Station. Wisconsin displayed the World's Largest Cheese. Enough to feed one mouse for 27 years. It was said that it would take you over 30 days to see everything. Paul Lavalle directed the Cities Service World's Fair Band of America in 6 performances daily. The network of 300 closed-circuit TVs was the largest collection ever assembled (in 1964). The USO Information Center was located in the Coca-Cola Pavilion. Foreign restaurant workers were covered under the same union contract that governed New York restaurant workers. Which provided similar pay as well as medical benefits. The British Lion Pub was a reproduction of a 17th century Tudor Inn. It could seat 100 people indoors, and 250 people on the Garden Terrace. A Customs Building was located on the Fair grounds. Items for exhibit purposes were duty-free but an import-tax was levied for items sold. At the close of the Fair, exhibitors had to: pay the tax, send it home or destroy it. Two structures survive from the 1939 NYWF. The Amphitheatre and the New York State Building. The Amphitheatre was destroyed in 1990s, leaving just the Queens Museum (New York State Building) as the only remaining structure from the 1939 New York World's Fair. You could sample many exotic foods (in 1965) like: "tandorri and paratha" from India, "falafel" from Israel, "sukiyaki and tempura" from Japan, "Homas" and "shaurmah" from Jordan, "kimchi" from Korea and "markouk" from Lebanon, "satay" from Malaysia, "palak-gosht" from Pakistan, "meekrob" and "musaman" from Thailand. At Parker Pen's exhibit you could fill-out a questionnaire about your hobbies, and a computer would match you with a foreign pen pal. Elsie the Cow was back for a return engagement. She made her first appearance at the 1939 NYWF. Emmett Kelly Jr. performed at the Kodak Pavilion. Pepsi Cola's exhibit featured a water-ride entitled "It's a Small World - A Salute to UNICEF". "The Carousel of Progress", "It's a Small World", "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" and "Spaceship Earth" can still be seen at Disney theme parks. Four Pavilions were awarded "Citations for Excellence in Design" by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects: Denmark, International Business Machines, New Jersey and Spain. The World's Fair Security Building contained the Lost and Found Area. General Foods and Time, Inc. operated the 11 "Archways to Understanding". The replica of the Bounty was built in Canada for the 1962 MGM version of "Mutiny on the Bounty". The replica of the Santa Maria traveled 3,730 miles from Barcelona at a cost of $30,000. The Greyhound Taxi's played a tune, "Go Greyhound". At it's summer peak, Greyhound employed close to 1,400 people. You could have meals served to you in a tree at the African Pavilion. The 1964 NYWF was more than 8 times larger than the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. The 1964 NYWF also holds the Unofficial World's Fair Attendance Record with 51,607,307 visitors. Expo 70 in Osaka holds the Official World's Fair Attendance Record with 64,218,770 visitors. Space Exploration was featured at 13 Pavilions. Foreign Nations were charged $6.00 per square foot for space. The "Demolition Clause" in Exhibitor's contract stated that everything must be removed to a depth of four feet with the land graded and area planted with grass. Every Official Fair Hostess had 3 uniforms (cool, moderate and hot weather) and a raincoat. Jo Copeland won the job of designing the Hostess Uniforms. Her name was chosen randomly from a hat containing the names of 35 designers. The World's Fair generated so many new phone numbers that a "World's Fair" category had to be added to the Manhattan Yellow Pages. Unused 1964 admission tickets were good for admission in 1965. Four "Fair" roads were named after Presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Herbert Hoover and John F Kennedy. Kennedy Circle was originally called Federal Circle. It was renamed after President John F Kennedy was assassinated. Two weddings took place in 1964. One in a Family Telephone Booth and the other under the "Moon Dome" in the Transportation and Travel Pavilion. October, 1965 - Pope Paul VI becomes the first Pope ever to visit the United States. AT&T researchers (after interviewing Picturephone users) discovered that people did not like using the Picturephone. The picture was too small, the frame rate too slow, it was harder to use than a telephone and people did not like the idea of having others seeing them. An estimated $365,000 worth of rockets were fired from the Fountain of the Planets. They were launched every night for the duration of the Fair. The Deluxe Edition of the Official World's Fair Souvenir Map was reproduced on a 26 inch by 33 1/4 inch piece of cloth in 8 colors and cost $2.50. US Olympic Trails were held at the Singer Bowl in 1964. Disney designed 4 Pavilions: General Electric Pavilion, Pepsi Pavilion, The Ford Rotunda and the Illinois Pavilion which contained "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln". The ride in the Ford Pavilion was created by Walt Disney and built by WED Enterprises. Rambler displayed the Marlin fastback. Only 10,327 Marlin Fastbacks would be made in 1965. Chrysler showed the Turbine Car. Chrysler had two buildings. One was built in the shape of a V-8 engine, and the other resemble a giant car - four-stories tall. GM's exhibit was called "Futurama", the same title used by GM at the 1939 NYWF. Three outdoor areas were used for gatherings: Parade Ground, the Enterprise and River Commons. Both Spain and the United States issued commemorative stamps. The Operation Department estimated that 50,000 children would get lost during the two year period. The actual total was closer to 6,000 children lost and returned. After the Fair Mismanagement of funding by Robert Moses (1888?1981) would lead to a financial disaster, losing millions of dollars. Emergency funding in 1965 kept the Commission out of bankruptcy and the Fair open for another year. Lawsuits and legal disputes would continue until 1970. Constructed Permanent Structures: Amphitheatre, Fountains, Hall of Science (New York Hall of Science), Heliport (Terrace on the Park), Marina, Pools, Theaterama (Queen's Theatre), Unisphere. After the Fair: 5 football and soccer fields, 14 baseball diamonds and an 18-hole golf course were added. Where Is It? The "Amphitheatre" was demolished in the mid 1990s. The "Austria Pavilion" becomes a ski lodge in Western New York. The "Spanish Pavilion" moved to St Louis, Missouri and is part of a Marriott Hotel. The "Christian Science Pavilion" becomes a church in Poway, California. The Carousel from "Carousel Park" is still in Flushing Meadow Park today. Now it's called "The Carousel in the Park". The Carousel in the "Belgian Village" (constructed in 1885) moved to La Ronde in Montreal for Expo 67. It still there today (although currently under renovation). The "Coca-Cola" Carillon went to Stone Mountain, Georgia. The "Column of Jerash", donated by King Hussein of Jordon, still stands in the Park. The "Freedom of the Human Spirit" sculpture by Marshall Fredericks was resurfaced and moved to the main entrance of Arthur Ashe US Tennis Center. The "Hall of Science" becomes the New York Hall of Science. The "Heliport" becomes a banquet and catering facility called "Terrace on the Park". The "Johnson Wax" theater is part of the Johnson office complex in Racine, Wisconsin. The "Mormon Pavilion" became a church on Long Island. The "New York City Pavilion" becomes the Queen's Museum. The "Carousel of Progress" moves to Disneyland. Then on to Disney World in 1973. "It's a Small World" and "Abraham Lincoln" eventually made it to Disney World. "Rocket Thrower" is still standing in it's original location. The "updated" New York City Panorama can be seen in the Queen's Museum. The "New York State Pavilion" continues to deteriorate but may find life as a proposed Air & Space Museum. Most "lampposts" find a new home at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The closed-circuit TV's spread out across the US performing security duty. "Parker Pen's Pavilion" offices become the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake-of-the-Ozarks, Missouri. Concrete Markers adorn the location of the Time Capsules. The "Singer Bowl" becomes Louis Armstrong Stadium. The "Space Park" deteriorated to the point that it was eventually removed. "Theaterama" is now Queen's Theatre in the Park. Jos? de Rivera's (1904-1985) "Form" sculpture is in it's original location. It doesn't revolve anymore. The motor stopped working sometime in 1972. "Forms in Transit" by Theodore Roszak (1907?1981) is deteriorating in it's original location. The "Uniroyal Tire" was moved to Uniroyal's Sales Offices in Detroit. It's now just a landmark off I-75. The "US Pavilion" was finally torn down in 1976-77. The "Wisconsin Pavilion" became a radio station in Neillsville, Wisconsin. The "Underground House" is still there, buried under top soil. "Shea Stadium" is still there as well as the "Unisphere". And the Dinosaurs? Ankylosaurus: Cleveland Zoo. Corythosaurus: Independence, Kansas. Stegosaurus: entrance to Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. Struthiomimus: Milwaukee Public Museum. Triceratops: Louisville, Kentucky. Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brontosaurus: Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, Texas. Ornitholestes was stolen at one time but it was recovered on a nearby beach. It's location is unknown to this day. _________________________________________________________________ Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail?. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd1_052009