Buzz
Exactly 50 years ago, the 1964–'65 World’s Fair kicked off in New York City, unveiling a host of groundbreaking exhibits at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. However, by the time the fair wrapped up in October 1965, it had become a financial disaster, losing millions of dollars for New York City. Despite this, visitors were treated to an impressive lineup of futuristic exhibits during its two six-month runs. Here's a look at 20 of the most amazing exhibits and rides that captured people's imaginations.
1. "It’s A Small World"
This iconic attraction debuted alongside other beloved Disney rides like “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” and “The Carousel of Progress.” Part of the UNICEF exhibit, the boat ride became an instant hit, attracting over 10 million visitors in its two seasons. (It’s safe to assume that many of them walked away with the unforgettable theme song looping in their heads.)
2. The Unisphere
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Although many of the World’s Fair structures were demolished after it closed in October 1965, this massive steel sculpture remains standing. The Unisphere has since appeared in films and shows like Men In Black, Flight of the Conchords, and others. Fun fact: The three rings surrounding the globe symbolize the first NASA satellites to orbit the Earth.
3. The Panorama of the City of New York
Image Credit: Queens Museum
New York City was brought to life in a 9335-square-foot miniature model, showcasing the five boroughs with tiny renditions of landmarks like the Empire State Building. Visitors could embark on a nine-minute simulated 'helicopter ride' (for just 10 cents) that offered a bird’s-eye perspective of the entire model. After the fair, the model was relocated to the New York City Building, which later became the Queens Museum.
4. World’s Fair “Bluebird” subway car
Travel to the fair was made more stylish with the introduction of the special turquoise and gray “Bluebird” subway cars. Commissioned by the New York City MTA in 1963, these cars ran along the 7 line to Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, with a 15-cent fare for a ride from Times Square to Queens.
5. Jet packs
An exposition focused on showcasing technologies of the future was bound to make a few missteps. One example: jet packs. While fairgoers did get to see people zipping around on these futuristic devices, they never really became mainstream.
6. Belgian waffles
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Although American audiences first encountered this sweet delicacy at the 1962 Seattle expo, it was in NYC where they truly became a sensation. The secret to their success? Maurice Vermersch, a Brussels native, and his wife Rose served the waffles as a dessert, topping them with whipped cream and strawberries.
7. Michelangelo’s Pieta
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The Vatican allowed Michelangelo’s original 15th-century sculpture to be displayed at the fair, but with heavy security. The statue was encased in bulletproof glass and surrounded by guards, and visitors could only view it from a moving walkway traveling at about two miles per hour.
8. The Ford Mustang
Car lovers got a new reason to drool when the Ford Motor Company debuted the iconic Mustang at the fair. With its innovative design and a starting price around $2300, the Mustang became an instant hit, with over 400,000 sold in its first year alone.
9. The World Trade Center
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Architect Minoru Yamasaki began conceptualizing the first World Trade Center in 1962, and in 1964, a scale model of his iconic Twin Towers was showcased at the fair’s Port Authority Building, along with a model of the PATH railway tubes. Construction of the towers began two years later, and they were completed in 1973.
10. RCA color TV studio
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At the 1939 World’s Fair, RCA introduced TV technology to the masses, but by the 1964 expo, they took things further by unveiling color television in an interactive studio. Instead of watching a regular program, visitors to the RCA Pavilion saw themselves in vibrant color on the TV screens.
11. Futurama II
General Motors introduced this attraction at the 1939 expo, but at the ’64–’65 fair, they presented an updated version. This futuristic ride showcased a vision of the future, predicting moon colonies, commuter spacecraft, underwater hotels, and covered moving walkways. At least they were optimistic about the future.
12. Picturephone
Today, we take Skype and FaceTime for granted, but in 1964, the technology that allowed people to see each other while talking on the phone was groundbreaking. Bell Laboratories introduced its first picturephone at the fair, and visitors could try it out at calling stations linked to similar devices at Disneyland in California.
13. Live animals
At the Africa Pavilion, attendees had the opportunity to get up close to native animals such as gorillas, giraffes, and lions. Meanwhile, at the Florida exhibit, dolphins wowed the crowd with tricks, and seals showed off their unique talent for juggling.
14. Sinclair Dinoland
Sponsored by the Sinclair Oil Corporation, this pavilion featured life-sized replicas of nine different dinosaurs. Some models included moving parts, such as the towering 20-foot-high Tyrannosaurus Rex, which opened and closed its menacing jaws. Visitors could also purchase a miniature plastic Brontosaurus, which doubled as Sinclair’s logo, for 50 cents.
15. New York State Pavilion
Though architect Philip Johnson’s iconic towers are now in ruins, they were once among the fair’s most impressive structures. The Tent of Tomorrow stood out with its vibrant fiberglass roof and an enormous map of New York State, crafted from over 500 mosaic panels.
16. Spanish Artworks
The Nobleman with the Hand on his Chest, via Wikimedia Commons
A stunning collection of both classic and contemporary works by some of Spain’s most celebrated artists was featured. After considerable debate, El Greco’s renowned 16th-century piece, The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest, was displayed alongside masterpieces by Francisco Goya and Diego Velázquez. On the modern side, visitors could admire works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró.
17. Port Authority Heliport
Helicopters actually touched down on top of this 120-foot-high landmark, where guests could watch a 13-minute film detailing the evolution of transportation in New York City. (Fun fact: The Beatles flew into Shea Stadium for their iconic 1965 concert via this heliport.) The structure also featured the Top of the Fair restaurant, offering lunch and dinner ($2.95 and $4.95, respectively) with sweeping views of the city.
18. U.S. Royal Ferris Wheel
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While it may not have had the same futuristic appeal as other exhibits or jet packs, the enormous Ferris wheel shaped like a tire became a hit among visitors. More than two million people enjoyed a ride on the 80-foot attraction, including Jackie Kennedy and her children, according to Uniroyal.
19. Shea Stadium
Though it wasn’t officially part of the World’s Fair, the brand-new home of the New York Mets, Shea Stadium, was visible to those traveling on the 7 train to the fairgrounds. The Mets faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in their inaugural game on April 17, 1964, though they ended up losing by a single run.
20. IBM computer technology
The IBM Pavilion, a stunning creation by Charles Eames for Eero Saarinen’s firm, showcased cutting-edge technology. Among its exhibits was a proto-Google system capable of pulling up events that occurred on a specific date. Another highlight was the People Wall, which utilized hydraulic lifts to offer an immersive theater experience for up to 500 visitors.
