Does this ring a bell?

Someone asked me for a picture of the carillon at the International Plaza at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. I don't remember seeing this in operation but it was at least fun to look at.

Short post, long day - but I finished my taxes on time...

A bad idea for a fair exhibit

This photo from the China Pavilion at the 1982 Knoxville fair captured something that has long irritated me about this and the China operation at the 1984 New Orleans fair. You're probably asking "What could be so bad in that shot?"

This.

Almost everything in both those pavilions was for sale. Now, I know that most pavilions have gift shops, but this was different. The exhibits themselves were for sale. Think how underwhelming it must have been to realize you weren't looking a priceless artifacts from years ago, things you would have had once gone to China to see in person. Instead, there were price tags all over and signs saying "All exhibits are for sale." It wouldn't have been the same special sort of experience, would it? Anyway, that's just my opinion. And it wasn't even for sale.

One of my favorite 1939 New York World's Fair photos

I just love this shot from the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. I've seen a lot of pictures from that fair, but to me there's something special about it.

Here's the caption I used in my book on the fair: The fair offered some of the finest meals in the New York area, especially in the foreign pavilions. Sometimes, though, the best food experience of all was an ice cream cone. There were more than 200 snack bars and concession stands for the budget conscious, the young at heart, and those in a rush to see more of the fair.

I hope those girls enjoyed their ice cream, as well as the rest of the fair.

Ever visit the Wigsphere?

"The Simpsons" has been on television for 22 years so far. To date I have seen exactly one episode, which puts me at great disadvantage in doing crossword puzzles. Ever notice how many clues from that show are used in puzzles?

Anyway, I digress. The one episode I've seen is "Bart Takes a Trip", during which he and some friends decide to visit the Knoxville World's Fair. Well, that was a great idea, but their guidebook was several years old and the fair was long gone. When they get their they find the Sunsphere is now called the Wigsphere, for it holds thousands of unsold wigs. One of the kids throws a rock at it in disgust, only to watch in horror as the tower falls to the ground.

It was a fun world's fair reference. I wonder if the writers had seen the fair back in the good old days?

More on the Mets

1964 was an exciting time for baseball fans in New York. While the Mets players were a big box office attraction, not for all the right reasons, there was also a great new stadium in town. I had been to a number of games at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds, and both of them looked pretty tacky when compared to the wonders of Shea Stadium. True, Yankee Stadium was full of history, but it was also full of really annoying steel pillars that all too often blocked your view. Shea was quite a contract, with clean lines of sight and a modern, uncluttered look.

This wooden walkway, which is still there, linked the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair with Shea Stadium. Sadly both of those aren't still there as well. I was back there a few weeks ago and it sure looks strange to look out and not see Shea there...

The REAL Mr. Mets

Mr. Mets wasn't the only member of the Amazing Mets to visit the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. In fact, he was there with his boss, famous manager Casey Stengel. Stengel had been the long-time manager of the New York Yankees, then after sitting out one season he took over the new Mets franchise. The team didn't do well those first years, but Stengel was a beloved figure in NY baseball and was a big help to eventually making the Mets successful. Here he's being interviewed outside the Hall of Free Enterprise at the Fair.

Meet Mr. Mets

There was a lot going on in New York in 1964. Not only was there the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, but the city's newest ball team, the Mets, had just moved into the spanking brand new Shea Stadium. Shea was just next to the fair, so it was only natural that there be a number of cross promotions between the two organizations. Here we see the team's mascot, Mr. Mets, appearing outside the Hall of Free Enterprise at the Fair. He wasn't the only member of the Mets there that day - we'll meet one more tomorrow.