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{{Short description|World's fair held in New York City}} | |||
The '''1939 New York World's Fair''' was one of the largest ]s of all time. Many different countries around the world participated in it, and over 25 million people attended its exhibits. The NYWF of ] allowed all visitors to take a look at "The world of tomorrow." | |||
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox World's Fair | |||
| box_width = | |||
| class = Universal | |||
| category = 2 | |||
| image = Joseph Binder's poster for the 1939 New York World's Fair.jpg | |||
| image_width = | |||
| caption = Poster by ] | |||
| year = 1939 | |||
| name = New York World's Fair | |||
| motto = The World of Tomorrow | |||
| building = | |||
| area = {{convert|1202|acre|ha|abbr=off}} | |||
| invent = | |||
| organized = ] | |||
| cnt = 62 | |||
| org = 1,400 | |||
| biz = | |||
| country = United States | |||
| city = ] | |||
| venue = ] | |||
| coord = {{coord|40|44|39|N|73|50|40|W|type:city_scale:25000_region:US}} | |||
| cand = | |||
| award = | |||
| open = {{start date|1939|04|30}} (first season)<br />{{start date|1940|05|11}} (second season) | |||
| close = {{start date|1939|10|31}} (first season)<br />{{start date|1940|10|27}} (second season) | |||
| prevexpo = ] | |||
| prevcity = Paris | |||
| nextexpo = ] | |||
| nextcity = ] | |||
| suppl = Specialized Expositions | |||
| prevsuppl = ] | |||
| prevsupcity = ] | |||
| nextsuppl = ] | |||
| nextsupcity = Paris | |||
| simuni = ] | |||
| simspe = ] in ] | |||
| simhor = | |||
| simoth = | |||
| website = | |||
}} | |||
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The '''1939 New York World's Fair''' (also known as the '''1939–1940 New York World's Fair''') was an ] at ] in ], New York City, United States. The fair included exhibitions, activities, performances, films, art, and food presented by 62 nations, 35 ] and territories, and 1,400 organizations and companies. Slightly more than 45 million people attended over two seasons. It was based on "the world of tomorrow", with an opening slogan of "Dawn of a New Day". The {{Convert|1202|acre|adj=on}} fairground consisted of seven color-coded zones, as well as two standalone focal exhibits. The fairground had about ]. | |||
Plans for the 1939 World's Fair were first announced in September 1935, and the New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) began constructing the fairground in June 1936. The fair opened on April 30, 1939, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the ]. When ] began four months into the 1939 World's Fair, many exhibits were affected, and some exhibits were forced to close after the first season. The fair attracted over 45 million visitors and ultimately recouped only 32% of its original cost. After the fair ended on October 27, 1940, most pavilions were demolished or removed, though some buildings were relocated or retained for the ] on the same site. | |||
In ], at the height of the ], a group of ] businessmen decided to create an international exposition to lift the city and the country out of depression. Not long after, these men formed the New York World's Fair Corporation, whose office was placed on one of the higher floors in the ]. The NYWFC elected ] as the president of their committee. The whole committee consisted of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and many other business leaders. | |||
The fair hosted many activities and cultural events. Participating governments, businesses, and organizations were celebrated on specific theme days. Musical performances took place in conjunction with the fair, and sculptures and artworks were displayed throughout the fairground and within pavilions. The fairground also displayed ]s, including electronic devices, and there were dozens of restaurants and concession stands. The exposition spurred increased spending in New York City and indirectly influenced Queens's further development. Artifacts from the fair still exist, and the event has also been dramatized in media. | |||
Over the next four years, the committee planned, built, and organized the fair and its exhibits. Countries around the world took part in creating the biggest international event since ]. Finally, on ], 1939, the fair had its grand opening. Roughly 198,791 people attended. One of the most famous exhibits was a time capsule, which was not to be opened till ] A.D. The time capsule was a tube containing writings by ] and ], copies of '']'', a ], a ] in change, a pack of ], millions of pages of text on ], and much, much more. Several other exhibits included the ] Air-flow, a streamlined ], and one of the first ]s. There was also a huge ]/] located near the center of the fair. ]' ], a keyboard-operated speech synthesizer, was demonstrated at the Fair. | |||
==Development== | |||
Each day after that, the fair opened at 9 AM until it was officially closed forever on ], ]. It attracted over 45 million visitors and generated roughly $48 million in revenue. Since the Fair Corporation had invested 67 million dollars (in addition to nearly a hundred million dollars from other sources), it was, in fact, an economic failure, and the corporation declared bankruptcy. | |||
New York City had hosted the United States' first world's fair, the ], in 1853–1854;<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 23, 1935 |title=First World's Fair Opened at London; Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851 Was a Notable Financial Success. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/23/archives/first-worlds-fair-opened-at-london-crystal-palace-exhibition-in.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the city did not host another world's fair for 85 years.<ref name="p115677931">{{cite news |last=Dalton |first=Dudley |date=9 Feb 1964 |title=Flushing Hopes for a New Boom |work=The New York Times |page=R1 |id={{ProQuest|115677931}}}}</ref> The site of the 1939 World's Fair, ] in ], was originally a natural wetland straddling the ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Appendix: The History of Flushing Meadows Corona Park |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_flushing_meadows/presentation/07appendix.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_flushing_meadows/presentation/07appendix.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=November 12, 2017 |publisher=] |page=52}}</ref> before becoming an ash dump in the early 20th century.{{Sfn|Steinberg|2015|page=212}} New York City Parks Commissioner ] first conceived the idea of developing a large park in Flushing Meadows in the 1920s.{{Sfn|Caro|1974|page=1083}} Although the neighborhoods around Flushing Meadows contained residential developments, the meadow itself remained undeveloped and isolated.<ref name="p150752879">{{cite news |last=Renaud |first=Ralph E. |date=December 13, 1936 |title=New York Lays Plans For 1939 World's Fair |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=B7 |id={{ProQuest|150752879}}}}</ref> Meanwhile, the 1933 ] exposition in ] had boosted that city's economy, prompting businesspeople in New York City to consider a similar fair.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 729">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|page=729}}</ref><ref name="p151083799">{{cite news |last=Cramer |first=Robert S. |date=April 24, 1938 |title=Two American Gateways Set Elaborate Stages for 1939 Fairs |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=B6 |id={{ProQuest|151083799}}}}</ref> | |||
=== Planning === | |||
The Fair was themed. It was divided into different "zones" (a Transportation Zone, a Communications Zone, and so forth). The wildly popular but less uplifting Amusements Area was not integrated into the thematic matrix, and was a mere Area rather than a Zone. The zones were distinguished by many subtle cues, including differently colored lighting. The "Theme Center" consisted of two landmark monumental buildings named the '']'' and ''].'' The design of ], with its themed Frontierland, Tomorrowland and central Cinderella's Castle clearly owes something to the 1939 World's Fair. The resemblance of ]'s ] to the Fair is even closer, and was widely noted by architectural writers when it opened. Epcot's geodesic-sphere "Spaceship Earth" bears a distinct family resemblance to the Perisphere. | |||
==== Early plans ==== | |||
Despite the high-minded educational tone that Grover Whalen attempted to set, the "Amusements Area" was the most popular part of the Fair and included roller coaster, a parachute jump, and carnival acts such as a collection of performing midgets. Many of the shows provided spectators with the opportunity of viewing women in revealing costumes: the Frozen Alive Girl, the Dream of Venus Building, and, above all, ]'s ]. | |||
] | |||
'']'' attributes the idea for the 1939 New York World's Fair to the civil engineer ], who had come up with the idea in 1934 following a conversation with his daughter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doty |first=Robert C. |date=September 9, 1963 |title=World's Fair Gains Impetus Despite Snubs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/09/09/archives/worlds-fair-gains-impetus-despite-snubs-150-pavilions-rise-road.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> By early 1935, a group led by the municipal reformer ] was considering an international exposition in New York City in 1939.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 729" /><ref name="p1329290149" /> Though the date coincided with the 150th anniversary of ],<ref name="p1329290149">{{cite news |date=September 23, 1935 |title=Huge World's Fair Planned for 1939 On Site at Flushing: McAneny Heads Group to Map 40-Million Celebration of First Inaugural of Washington 1,000-Acre Park Tract Is Proposed Roosevelt, Lehman and LaGuardia Approve It |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1329290149}}}}</ref><ref name="Stern (1987) p. 727">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|page=727}}</ref> Moses said the date was "an excuse and not the reason" for the fair.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 727" /> That September, the group announced plans to spend $40 million to host an exhibition at the {{convert|1003|acre|adj=on}} Flushing Meadows site.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 23, 1935 |title=New York Plans 'Greatest' Fair in '39 and '40: Committee of Notables Formed; Site Picked. |work=Chicago Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|181674779}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 23, 1935 |title=Great World Fair for City in 1939 on Site in Queens; Cost to Be $40,000,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/23/archives/great-world-fair-for-city-in-1939-on-site-in-queens-cost-to-be.html |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 23, 1935 |title=World's Fair on Flushing Bay Planned for 1939 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-worlds-fair-on-flushing-bay/151967110/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |pages=, 7}}</ref> The ] approved the use of Flushing Meadows as a fairground on September 23,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 24, 1935 |title=City Grants Use Of Flushing Site For World Fair: Estimate Board Speedily Backs Move to Bring 40 Million Project Here |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1330222757}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 24, 1935 |title=City's Fair Assured of Widespread Aid; Business is Elated; Board of Estimate Votes Full Backing for 1939 Project – Financial Help Likely. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/24/archives/citys-fair-assured-of-widespread-aid-business-is-elated-board-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and Moses directed municipal draftsmen to survey the site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1935 |title=Surveying is Begun at World Fair Site; Moses Details Staff to the 1,003-Acre Tract in Queens – May Start Swamp Job. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/25/archives/surveying-is-begun-at-world-fair-site-moses-details-staff-to-the.html |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The Flushing Meadows site had been selected because of its large size and central location,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 5, 1936 |title=Site in Flushing Definitely Picked for Exposition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-site-in-flushing-definitely/152004601/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=9}}</ref> and the city already owned {{Convert|586|acre}} nearby.<ref name="nyt-1936-07-05">{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Victor H. |date=July 5, 1936 |title=World's Fair Project in Construction Stage; Though Financing and Planning Have Still to Be Arranged, Workmen Are Preparing the Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/05/archives/worlds-fair-project-in-construction-stage-though-financing-and.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
Mayor ] pledged financial support for the fair that October;<ref>{{cite news |date=October 4, 1935 |title=Mayor Fledges City's Cash Aid To World's Fair: Wants 1939 Exposition to Stress Re-establishment of Port's Foreign Trade |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=44 |id={{ProQuest|1223259322}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 4, 1935 |title=Mayor to Mobilize All City for Fair; Says He Will Call on Every Business, Art and Scientific Centre for Aid in 1939 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/10/04/archives/mayor-to-mobilize-all-city-for-fair-says-he-will-call-on-every.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> at the time, Moses estimated that it would cost $5–7 million to prepare the fairground and build transit to the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 2, 1935 |title=$7,000,000 Set As Initial Cost Of World's Fair: That Sum Needed to Put Flushing Site in Shape, Moses Writes McAneny |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1222258878}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 2, 1935 |title=Moses Asks an Early Decision On Site of the 1939 World Fair; If Flushing Area Is to Be Used, He Wants to Coordinate Park and Triborough Bridge Work – Estimates $5,000,000 Will Be Needed for Land and Improvements. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/10/02/archives/moses-asks-an-early-decision-on-site-of-the-1939-world-fair-if.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) was formed to oversee the exposition on October 22, 1935,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 23, 1935 |title=World's Fair Sponsors File To Incorporate: Six Directors Designated, but Board Will Later Be Increased to Twenty-one 109 City Leaders Sign Financial Plans Are To Be Adopted at Early Meeting |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1243474284}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 23, 1935 |title=1939 World's Fair Now a Legal Fact; Court Approves Incorporation Papers With Names of 109 Prominent New Yorkers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/10/23/archives/1939-worlds-fair-now-a-legal-fact-court-approves-incorporation.html |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the Board of Estimate allocated $200,000 the next day for preliminary work.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 24, 1935 |title=City Officially Approves Fair Site in Flushing: Aels to Acquire Additional Land to House Exhibits |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1243760816}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 24, 1935 |title=City Votes $200,000 for Early Fair Work: Estimate Board Authorizes the Preparation of Maps of the Flushing Site |work=The New York Times |page=39 |id={{ProQuest|101327772}}}}</ref> The WFC elected McAneny as its president,<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 729" /><ref>{{cite news |date=November 21, 1935 |title=World Fair Corporation Elects M'Aneny as Head: Woll's Nominee Is Chosen Unanimously by Directors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1222035615}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 21, 1935 |title=M'Aneny Elected World's Fair Head; Directors, at First Meeting, Also Make H. D. Gibson Finance Chairman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/11/21/archives/maneny-elected-worlds-fair-head-directors-at-first-meeting-also.html |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and two contractors were hired that December to conduct preliminary surveys.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 7, 1935 |title=Contract Is Let For Survey of World Fair Site: Madigan & Hyland, Under Fire at Relief Inquiry, Gets $90,000 City Job Action Starts Board Clash Mayor, Lyons and Harvey in Warm Argument |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=12 |id={{ProQuest|1330116412}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 7, 1935 |title=Mayor in Flare-up Over World's Fair; Misunderstands a Remark and Threatens to Call It All Off – And Then Cools Down. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/12/07/archives/mayor-in-flareup-over-worlds-fair-misunderstands-a-remark-and.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Several foreign exhibitors had expressed interest in the fair before the end of the year,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 1935 |title=Fair Stirs Wide Interest; Foreign Groups Make Inquiries for Exhibition Space. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/11/12/archives/fair-stirs-wide-interest-foreign-groups-make-inquiries-for.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the WFC and the ] devised plans for public transit lines to the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 9, 1936 |title=Transit Plans Laid for the World's Fair; Bus, Surface Car, Subway, Train and Water Facilities Are to Be Provided. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/09/archives/transit-plans-laid-for-the-worlds-fair-bus-surface-car-subway-train.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
==== Lease and financing ==== | |||
State lawmaker ] proposed legislation in January 1936, allowing the city government to formally lease the Flushing Meadows site to the WFC.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 3, 1936 |title=Brownell Offers a Bill For World Fair in City: Albany Measure Provides Leasing of Park Lamb in 1939 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|1330118482}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 3, 1936 |title=Bill for World's Fair Offered in Assembly; Measure Allows Leasing of Park Lands and Control of Tourist Camps Near Flushing. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/03/archives/bill-for-worlds-fair-offered-in-assembly-measure-allows-leasing-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Moses warned that the fairground's completion could be delayed due to funding issues; by then, the fair was estimated to cost $45 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 25, 1936 |title=World's Fair Not His Affair Moses Asserts: Says Park. Department Is Responsible Only for the Basic Improvements Galls Plan Unimpressive McAneny Sees Flushing Exposition in '39 a Success They Sound a Discordant Note in W. P. A. Theater Project |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1267757042}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 25, 1936 |title=Moses Attacks Delay in Fund for Fair Land |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-moses-attacks-d/152003157/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 25, 1936 |title=Moses Again Warns of World Fair Delay; Wants to Know Whether He Shall Prepare Flushing Site for Exposition or a Park. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/25/archives/moses-again-warns-of-world-fair-delay-wants-to-know-whether-he.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> That February, McAneny announced that he would organize a committee to devise an architectural plan for the fairground.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 9, 1936 |title=McAneny Tells Women Of World's Fair Art Plans |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6A |id={{ProQuest|1221765583}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 9, 1936 |title=Architectural Unity is Stressed for Fair; McAneny Reveals Committee to Coordinate Beauty – Highways to Have Special Lights. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/02/09/archives/architectural-unity-18-stressed-for-fair-mcaneny-reveals-committee.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The committee initially advocated for a single massive building.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 729" /> Brownell requested funding from New York governor ] the same month for "basic World's Fair improvements";<ref>{{cite news |date=February 20, 1936 |title=Aid of Lehman In World's Fair Project Sought: Asked to Send Delegate to Conference on Plans for Financing '39 Exposition Backers Would Start Job Brownell Letter Cites Need of Funds for Improvements |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1237405606}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 20, 1936 |title=Appeal to Lehman on Funds for Fair; Brownell, Ives and Moffat Join in Suggesting That He Call a Conference |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/02/20/archives/appeal-to-lehman-on-funds-for-fair-brownell-ives-and-moffat-join-in.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the city and state governments were each supposed to spend $5 million on site preparations.<ref name="p1222069230">{{cite news |date=March 24, 1936 |title='39 World's Fair Halted as Board Awaits Grants: No Money, No Action, Say Directors, in Effect, Deploring Official Delays |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1222069230}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=March 24, 1936 |title=New York Fair Board Awaits Public Funds |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|513970700}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 24, 1936 |title=Fair Plans Halted by Delay in Grants: Directors of Project Vote to Hold No More Sessions Till State and City Act |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/03/24/archives/fair-plans-halted-by-delay-in-grants-directors-of-project-vote-to.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=25 |id={{ProQuest|101915501}}}}</ref> The project remained stalled during early 1936 because of disagreements over the fair's location and financing.<ref name="p1222069230" /><ref name="p1032089018">{{cite magazine |date=April 4, 1936 |title=Political Buck Passing, Lack of Authority Delay N. Y. World Fair |magazine=The Billboard |pages=3, 63 |volume=48 |issue=14 |id={{ProQuest|1032089018}}}}</ref> There was a competing proposal to relocate the fair to ] in Brooklyn.<ref name="p1032089018" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1936 |title=Marine Park is Urged as Ideal Location for Proposed World's Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-marine-park-is/152001370/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=49, |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 25, 1936 |title=World Fair Site in Boro is Urged in Albany Debate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-world-fair-site-in-boro-is-u/152001431/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=11}}</ref> but the New York State Legislature ultimately voted in April to allow the city to lease out Flushing Meadows.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=John W. |date=April 5, 1936 |title=World Fair Plans Pushed at Albany; Legislature Authorizes Lease of Flushing Meadows Park and Weighs State Aid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/05/archives/world-fair-plans-pushed-at-albany-legislature-authorizes-lease-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
In April 1936, ] replaced McAneny as the WFC's chairman;<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 729" /><ref>{{cite news |date=April 23, 1936 |title=Whalen Appointed Chairman of N.Y. World Fair Group |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514123340}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 23, 1936 |title=Whalen at Helm of World's Fair; Elected Chairman of Board – Number of Directors Is Increased From 21 to 35. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/23/archives/whalen-at-helm-of-worlds-fair-elected-chairman-of-board-number-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> he was later elected as the agency's full-time president as well.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 9, 1937 |title=Whalen Named To Presidency Of World's Fair: Quits as Schenley Chairman to Give Full Time to Preparing 1939 Exposition |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=29 |id={{ProQuest|1243577880}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 9, 1937 |title=Whalen Elected World's Fair Head; Becomes President on Full Time Basis-Resigns AH Outside Executive Posts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/10/09/archives/whalen-elected-worlds-fair-head-becomes-president-on-fulltime.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> ] was hired to draw up preliminary plans for the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 3, 1936 |title='39 World Fair Begins to Take Shape on Paper: Col. J. F. Bell Draws Up Preliminary Suggestions on Buildings and Layout |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=J1 |id={{ProQuest|1352660273}}}}</ref> and the WFC appointed a committee of seven men{{Efn|The committee was composed of ], ], ], Jay N. Downer, ], and ].<ref name="p1237468680" />}} to devise a plan for the fairground.<ref>{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|pages=729–730}}</ref><ref name="p1237468680">{{cite news |date=May 22, 1936 |title=7 Are Chosen As Designers Of World Fair: Voorhees, Clarke, Delano, Downer, Teagne, Shreve and Kohn Become Board |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1237468680}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 22, 1936 |title=Board of Design is Named for Fair; S.F. Voorhees Chosen Chairman of Group of 7 Experts to Map and Direct Construction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/22/archives/board-of-design-is-named-for-fair-sf-voorhees-chosen-chairman-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> At the end of the month, the city government announced plans to sell $7 million in bonds, and the state pledged $4.125 million for the project.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 28, 1936 |title=City Asks Right to Sell World's Fair Bonds |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|128892929}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1936 |title=$7,000,000 Is Voted by City for Fair; Action Is Based on Assumption State Will Give $4,125,000 Toward Project |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/28/archives/7000000-is-voted-by-city-for-fair-action-is-based-on-assumption.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1936 |title=$7,000,000 Voted by City for Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-7000000-voted-by-city-for/152004774/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=3}}</ref> In addition, the WFC was to sell $20 million in bonds;<ref name="nyt-1936-07-05" /> the WFC eventually ended up issuing $26,862,800 worth of bonds.<ref name="p1266858992a">{{cite news |date=29 June 1942 |title=40 Cents Gross On Dollar Paid On Fair Bonds: Final Payment of 3½% to Bondholders; 40.18% Total Includes Interest |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1266858992}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=29 June 1942 |title="World's Fair" Will Bow With Final Payment Of Debentures June 29: Owners of 4% Certificates Will Receive 3 % of the Original Principal Amount |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|131395749}}}}</ref> The ] appropriated $308,020 to begin landscaping the site that May,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 2, 1936 |title=$308,020 Voted To Begin Work On World's Fair: Estimate Board Assures '39 Opening With Fund Toward Preparing Site |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|1257818931}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 2, 1936 |title=World's Fair Funds Voted by Board; $308,020 Appropriated to Begin Work – Moses's Plans to Fill Swamp Land Approved. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/02/archives/worlds-fair-funds-voted-by-board-308020-appropriated-to-begin-work.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 2, 1936 |title=City and Whalen Join Hands to Speed World Fair Project |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-city-and-whalen-join-hands-t/152005974/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=15}}</ref> and city officials acquired another {{Convert|372|acre}} through ].<ref>{{cite news |date=May 15, 1936 |title=Condemnation Of World's Fair Land Is Begun: Lockwood Authorization for City Action on 372 Acres Sets Record for Speed |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1222071615}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 15, 1936 |title=Lets New York Condemn Land For World's Fair |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=8 |id={{ProQuest|540703601}}}}</ref> The WFC dedicated the fairground site on June 4, 1936,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 4, 1936 |title=World Fair Site Duly Dedicated In Champagne: Whalen Breaks '23 Bottle on Observation Tower in Presence of Directors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1330794602}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 4, 1936 |title=Site is Dedicated for World's Fair; 11 Officials, Atop Tower in Meadows, Accept Ash-Laden Tract at Ceremony |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/06/04/archives/site-is-dedicated-for-worlds-fair-11-officials-atop-tower-in.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> shortly before the city finalized its lease of Flushing Meadows to the WFC in June 1936.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 18, 1936 |title=Commission Votes World Fair Lease; Sinking Fund Group Approves Transfer of Flushing Land to New Corporation. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/06/18/archives/commission-votes-world-fair-lease-sinking-fund-group-approves.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
=== Construction === | |||
Work on the World's Fair site began on June 16, 1936,<ref>{{cite web |date=June 16, 1936 |title=Work at Fair Site Begins Without Ceremony; 700 Job-Seekers on Hand, 500 to Be Hired |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/06/16/archives/work-at-fair-site-begins-without-ceremony-700-jobseekers-on-hand.html |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and a groundbreaking ceremony for the fairground took place on June 29.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 1936 |title=Lease Is Signed For World Fair, Ground Broken: LaGuardia and Bray Use Ancient Spade, Modern Shovel at Ceremonies |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1222125791}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=June 30, 1936 |title=New York Breaks Ground For 1939 World's Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514102906}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 30, 1936 |title=La Guardia Runs a Steam Shovel As Work Starts on World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/06/30/archives/la-guardia-runs-a-steam-shovel-as-work-starts-on-worlds-fair-my.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC established seven departments and thirteen committees to coordinate the fair's development.<ref name="nyt-1936-07-05" /> The fair was planned to employ 35,000 people.<ref name="p1222354319">{{cite news |last=Harrington |first=John Walker |date=November 8, 1936 |title=The 1939 Fair Rises Bit by Bit: Dreamers Plot, Engineers Build And Gradually It Takes Shape |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A5 |id={{ProQuest|1222354319}}}}</ref> The construction of the fairground involved leveling the ash mounds; excavating Meadow and Willow lakes; and diverting much of the Flushing River into underground ].<ref>{{harvnb|Caro|1974|p=1085}}; {{harvnb|Steinberg|2015|p=213}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Sarah |date=2006 |title=Flushing the Meadows – Relaxing a post-World's Fair Urban Landscape |url=http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |publisher=] |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 8, 1936 |title=Task of Filling World's Fair Site Will Be Pushed Night and Day; Moving of 7,000,000 Cubic Yards of Ashes and Soil Will Be in Full Swing Next Week – Two Lakes to Be Dug as Part of Work to Last till Next March |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/08/archives/task-of-filling-worlds-fair-site-will-be-pushed-night-and-day.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215424/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/08/archives/task-of-filling-worlds-fair-site-will-be-pushed-night-and-day.html |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> The dirt from the lake sites was used as additional topsoil for the park.<ref name="NYTimes-QnsPkRising-1936">{{cite news |date=December 6, 1936 |title=Vast Queens Park Rising on Fair Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073023/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> Workers also transported soil from ], to the fairground.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1938 |title=Fair's Use of Soil Irks Westchester; Harrison Sues to Enjoin Group of Contractors From Shifting Loam to Flushing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/29/archives/fairs-use-of-soil-irks-westchester-harrison-sues-to-enjoin-group-of.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Four hundred fifty workers were employed on three eight-hour shifts.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 11, 1936 |title='Cut and Fill' Grading of World's Fair Site Reported More Than One-Third Complete |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE6D7143DE33BBC4952DFB667838D629EDE&legacy=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105823/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0CE6D7143DE33BBC4952DFB667838D629EDE&legacy=true |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> The rebuilt landscape was to be retained after the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Victor H. |date=August 16, 1936 |title=Dump and Swamp Areas Reclaimed for Fair; Steam Shovels and Trucks Work Day and Night in Giant Effort to Prepare a 1,130-Acre Site for the 1939 Exposition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/08/16/archives/dump-and-swamp-areas-reclaimed-for-fair-steam-shovels-and-trucks.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Patterson|1939|ps=.|page=20}}</ref> The city, state, and federal governments also worked on 48 infrastructure-improvement projects, such as highway and landscaping projects, for the fair.<ref name="Whalen p. 28">{{harvnb|Whalen|1939|ps=.|page=28}}</ref> | |||
To promote the fair, the WFC established advisory committees with members from every U.S. state.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 30, 1936 |title=New York Seeks Aid of Every State In 1939 World Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514301549}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 30, 1936 |title=World Fair Asks Aid of All States; Advisory Committees Named to Organize Exposition on National Basis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/30/archives/world-fair-asks-aid-of-all-states-advisory-committees-named-to.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Several baseball teams wore patches promoting the fair during the ],<ref>{{cite book |last=Tofel |first=R.J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHkTAQAAIAAJ |title=A Legend in the Making: The New York Yankees in 1939 |publisher=Ivan R. Dee |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-56663-411-3 |series=G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series |page=59}}</ref> while the businessman ] named an airplane after the fair and flew it around the world in 1938.<ref>{{cite book |last=Marrett |first=G.J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXkADAAAQBAJ&pg=PA35 |title=Howard Hughes: Aviator |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-68247-037-4 |page=35}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 12, 1938 |title=Hughes Nearing Moscow On a World Flight After 16½-Hour Dash to Paris |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1244377360}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 12, 1938 |title=Route of Hughes is Disclosed Here; 3 Stops Are Planned on Trip From Moscow to New York Via Alaska and Canada |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/12/archives/route-of-hughes-is-disclosed-here-3-stops-are-planned-on-trip-from.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> ] led a women's committee that helped promote and develop the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 14, 1937 |title=Women Planning Widespread Part In New York Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|514430153}}}}</ref> ] from 1938 were supposed to have slogans advertising the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=December 21, 1937 |title=Board Starts to Issue New Car License Plates: All Bear 'New York World's Fair 1939' Sign |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21A |id={{ProQuest|1223337076}}}}</ref> but a city judge deemed the slogans unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 28, 1938 |title=Holds World Fair Tag Invalid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/28/archives/holds-world-fair-taq-invalid.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> New York license plates from 1939 and 1940 also advertised the fair.<ref>{{Unbulleted list citebundle|For the 1939 plates, see: {{Cite news |date=February 10, 1938 |title=Car Fair Ads to Continue; 1939 Auto Plates Also Expected to Bear Protested Legend |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/02/10/archives/car-fair-ads-to-continue-1939-auto-plates-also-expected-to-bear.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}|For the 1940 plates, see: {{Cite news |date=March 28, 1939 |title=1940 Plates to Retain World's Fair Legend |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/28/archives/1940-plates-to-retain-worlds-fair-legend-special-to-the-new-york.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}}}</ref> Local retailers also sold more than $40 million worth of merchandise with World's Fair motifs,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1938 |title=Fashions to Show World Fair Motif; Wide Range of Themes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/12/archives/fashions-to-show-world-fair-motif-wide-range-of-themes-perisphere.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the U.S. government issued stamps depicting the fair's ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Byrnes |first=Robert D. |date=March 12, 1939 |title=N. Y. World's Fair Stamp First Day Sale April 1: Will Be Same Size As Golden Gate Exposition Stamp --Nine Foreign Governments Participating Will Issue Commemoratives Philately |work=The Hartford Courant |page=SM10 |id={{ProQuest|559177181}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 12, 1939 |title=Stamp for World's Fair; Trylon and Perisphere Appear in Design-- Paris Issues—The Philatelic Truck |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/12/archives/stamp-for-worlds-fair-trylon-and-perisphere-appear-in-design-paris.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> World leaders delivered "greetings to the fair" as part of the "Salute of the Nations" radio program,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 15, 1938 |title=Broadcast Series For World's Fair |magazine=Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising |page=28 |volume=15 |issue=12 |id={{ProQuest|1505619738}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=December 12, 1938 |title=Royalties to Boom World Fair by Radio |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|514734466}}}}</ref> and the WFC also broadcast 15-minute-long "invitations to the fair", featuring musical entertainments and a speech by Gibson.<ref>{{cite web |last=Spiegel |first=Irving |date=October 27, 1940 |title=Airing the Fair; Radio Has Spent $14,000,118 in Pick-Ups From Flushing Meadows, Report States |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/27/archives/airing-the-fair-radio-has-spent-14000118-in-pickups-from-flushing.html |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In addition, the WFC distributed a promotional film, ''Let's Go to the Fair.''<ref>{{harvnb|Wasson|2012|ps=.|page=91}}</ref> | |||
==== 1936 and 1937 ==== | |||
] | |||
The WFC's board of design reviewed several proposed master plans for the site,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 16, 1936 |title=Fair Designers Roam Cosmos For Ideas on 1939 Ground Plan |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1237424340}}}}</ref> and the corporation had relocated the last occupants of the fairground site by August 1936.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 4, 1936 |title=Lehman Makes Appointments For World Fair: Names 6 Commissioners to Fill Group of 16 on State's Participation |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1237414061}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 4, 1936 |title=Evicters' Big Day Ends in Waterloo; Sheriff's Men Oust Tavern, Gas Station and Houseboat From World's Fair Site. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/08/04/archives/evicters-big-day-ends-in-waterloo-sheriffs-men-oust-tavern-gas.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC launched a design competition for several fairground pavilions that September<ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 1936 |title=Contest Starts For World Fair Building Design: $4,250 in Prizes Is Offered in Attempt to Bring to Light Unknown Talent |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=25 |id={{ProQuest|1222092642}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 11, 1936 |title=Fair Opens Contest; Architects Are Invited to Offer Designs for $1,000 Prize. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/09/11/archives/fair-opens-contest-architects-are-invited-to-offer-designs-for-1000.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and selected several winning designs two months later.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 11, 1936 |title=World's Fair Building Contest Awards Made: G. L. Paine, Jr., Gets First Prize For Design Typifying 1939 Fair |magazine=Women's Wear |page=6 |volume=53 |issue=94 |id={{ProQuest|1653943149}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=November 11, 1936 |title=World Fair Awards Made for Designs; G.L. Paine Jr. Gets $1,000 – First Prize Withheld Because of Collaboration |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/11/archives/world-fair-awards-made-for-designs-gl-paine-jr-gets-1000-first.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Before the final master plan was revealed, Whalen said the fair would likely be dedicated to the past, present, and future.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 17, 1936 |title=Whalen Visions 50,000,000 at World's Greatest Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-whalen-visions-50000000-at/152065134/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=2 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=September 18, 1936 |title=Whalen Promises New Kind of Fair; Plan and Theme Nearly Ready, He Announces at Luncheon of Advertising Club |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/09/18/archives/whalen-promises-new-kind-of-fair-plan-and-theme-nearly-ready-he.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The WFC announced details of the fair's master plan that October, which called for a $125 million exposition themed to "the world of tomorrow".<ref name="p128793649">{{cite news |date=October 9, 1936 |title=World's Fair to Cost About $125,000,000 |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|128793649}}}}</ref><ref name="p1240271438">{{cite news |date=October 9, 1936 |title=World's Fair Theme To Be The World of Tomorrow: Plans for $125,000,000 1,200-Acre Blueprint of Future of Mankind Are Approved by Directors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1240271438}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 9, 1936 |title=Fair of 1939 Will Depict The 'World of Tomorrow' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/09/archives/fair-of-1939-will-depict-the-world-of-tomorrow-125000000-plan.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Weer |first=William |date=October 9, 1936 |title=Model of Exposition Shown to Directors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-model-of-exposi/150428301/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=12}}</ref> The city, state, and federal governments would spend $35 million; the WFC was to spend $30 million; and the remaining funds would come from individual exhibitors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1936 |title=Investment Total to Be $125,000,000; Federal, State and City Aid $35,000,000 for Buildings and Other Improvements. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/09/archives/investment-total-to-be-125000000-federal-state-and-city-aid.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> There were to be ten zones, an amusement area, a central tower with paths radiating away from it, and extensive public-transit improvements.<ref name="p1240271438" /> Later that month, the WFC signed construction contracts for the fairground's first building.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 22, 1936 |title=Contract Signing Marks Start Of 1939 World's Fair: Preview of the New York World's Fair of 1939 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|514199372}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 22, 1936 |title=First Contract Let for Fair Building; Whalen Signs for Erection of Administration Structure to Cost $900,000. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/22/archives/first-contract-let-for-fair-building-whalen-signs-for-erection-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> At that point, only a small number of fairground buildings had been approved.<ref name="p1222354319" /> | |||
In November 1936, France became the first nation to announce its participation,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1936 |title=Philip Benson Named to Board of World's Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-philip-benson-n/152068375/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=21 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=November 6, 1936 |title=France to Exhibit at 1939 World Fair: Her Announcement Through an Official at Dinner Here is First by Any Nation. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/06/archives/france-to-exhibit-at-1939-world-fair-her-announcement-through-an.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and U.S. President ] urged other nations to join the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1936 |title=Roosevelt Invites Nations to '39 Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-roosevelt-invites-nations-to/152069089/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=1 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=November 17, 1936 |title=Nations of World Are Bidden to Fair; President Issues Proclamation Inviting All Countries to Join 1939 Event Here. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/17/archives/nations-of-world-are-bidden-to-fair-president-issues-proclamation.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The city government also began selling bonds for the fair that month,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 24, 1936 |title=Sale Of World's Fair Bonds In N.Y. Under Way: 2,000, Comprising "Who's Who" Of New York's Retail, Financial, Industrial Worlds, Attend Formal Launching. |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=2, 31 |volume=53 |issue=103 |id={{ProQuest|1653967501}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 24, 1936 |title=New Yorkers Urged to Buy $27,829,500 World Fair Bonds |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514206321}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=November 24, 1936 |title=City Drive Opened for Bonds of Fair; Leaders Declare Investment Sound Financially and in Community Spirit. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/24/archives/city-drive-opened-for-bonds-of-fair-leaders-declare-investment.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and several nations and hundreds of businesses had expressed interest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1936 |title=Whalen Predicts Flushing to Gain by World's Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-whalen-predicts-flushing-to/152067807/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=8}}</ref> That December, the ] endorsed the 1939 World's Fair, allowing the bureau's 21 member countries to host exhibits there,<ref>{{cite news |date=December 5, 1936 |title=N.Y. World Fair Named as Official Exposition in 1939: Invitations Go Abroad Building Requirements Nations Signify Plans |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514250483}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=December 4, 1936 |title=World's Fair Wins International Aid; Gets a Clear Field for 1939 From Bureau of 21 Nations, Whalen Announces |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/04/archives/worlds-fair-wins-international-aid-gets-a-clear-field-for-1939-from.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and Lehman also invited the governors of all other U.S. states.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 1, 1936 |title=Lehman Invites States to Join in World's Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-citizen-lehman-invites-stat/152070875/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |page=3 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 1, 1936 |title=All States Invited to Join 1939 Fair; Lehman Urges Exhibit by Each in Letters to Governors, Asking Their Participation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/01/archives/all-states-invited-to-join-1939-fair-lehman-urges-exhibit-by-each.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> By the beginning of 1937, eleven hundred concessionaires had applied for concessions at the fair,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 16, 1937 |title=Heavy Demand for World's Fair Space |magazine=The Billboard |page=3 |volume=49 |issue=3 |id={{ProQuest|1032130797}}}}</ref> and nine buildings were under construction.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 2, 1937 |title=Designs Asked for Four World's Fair Buildings: Architectural Contracts Now Total $4.350.000 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1222255704}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 2, 1937 |title=4 Fair Contracts Made for Designs; Whalen Signs With Firms of Architects to Draw Plans for $1,475,000 Buildings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/02/02/archives/4-fair-contracts-made-for-designs-whalen-signs-with-firms-of.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC unveiled a model of the fairground at its ] headquarters that March.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 25, 1937 |title=Uniforms May Come And Go—But The World's Fair Already Has Model Selected |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |page=24 |volume=54 |issue=58 |id={{ProQuest|1653733297}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 30, 1937 |title=World's Fair Opens in Miniature Form; Complete Model of Grounds and Building Exhibited at Empire State Corner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/03/30/archives/worlds-fair-opens-in-miniature-form-complete-model-of-grounds-and.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Workers had finished grading and filling the World's Fair site by April,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 15, 1937 |title=New York World Fair Site Filling and Grading Done |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514311583}}}}</ref> and they began planting trees on the fairground.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 3, 1937 |title=3 Sycamores First Trees Set For World Fair: 30-Foot Specimens From Bird in Hand, Pa., Here in Special Motor Trucks Group of 30 Purchased 10,000 To Be Planted Before Exposition Opens |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=32 |id={{ProQuest|1337028922}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 3, 1937 |title=3 Rare Sycamores Set at Site of Fair; 40-Year-Old Trees Brought From Pennsylvania Are First of 10,000 to Be Planted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/03/archives/3-rare-sycamores-set-at-site-of-fair-40yearold-trees-brought-from.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> That month, ] became the first company to lease a pavilion at the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 27, 1937 |title=A. T. & T. Signs 1st Contract for Fair Exhibit Site: Gifford Gives Whalen Check for $48,790 for Parcel Fronting on Theme Plaza |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17A |id={{ProQuest|1240320660}}}}</ref><ref name="p1240320660">{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1937 |title=World Fair Space Leased by A. T. & T.; Gifford Turns Over $48,790 Check on First Contract for an Exhibit Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/27/archives/world-fair-space-leased-by-a-t-t-gifford-turns-over-48790-check-on.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and work officially began on the first building, the administration structure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1937 |title=Notables See First Stone Laid for '39 Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-notables-see-fi/152074741/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=8 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 28, 1937 |title=Cornerstone Laid for First Fair Unit; 1,000 Ignore Rainy Weather to Attend Ceremony Starting Administration Building |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/28/archives/cornerstone-laid-for-first-fair-unit-1000-ignore-rainy-weather-to.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, the WFC began auctioning off the fairground's concession spaces,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 13, 1937 |title=New York Fair Plans Auction For Concessions |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514310117}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 13, 1937 |title=World Fair to Let Vast Concessions; $50,000,000 Enterprises to Be Awarded to High Bidders 5,000 Seek Space |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/13/archives/world-fair-to-let-vast-concessions-50000000-enterprises-to-be.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and workers also began planting trees in early 1937.<ref name="Patterson p. 87">{{harvnb|Patterson|1939|ps=.|page=87}}</ref> Whalen predicted that the fair would attract 59 nations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 19, 1937 |title=Ships to Serve as Fair Hotels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-ships-to-serve-as-fair-hotel/152077383/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=22 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 19, 1937 |title=59 Nations Likely to Aid World Fair; Whalen, Home From Abroad, Predicts an Unprecedented Foreign Participation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/05/19/archives/59-nations-likely-to-aid-world-fair-whalen-home-from-abroad.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Shadgen, who had devised the idea for the fair, was ousted from the WFC that year.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 7, 1937 |title=Fair Ousts Man Who Asserts He Originated It: Shadgen Says Officials Told Him He Was Incompetent, Ending His $5,000 Job |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|1243544908}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 6, 1937 |title=World's Fair Ousts One of Its Planners; J. F. Shadgen, Engineer, Says He Sat at His Desk for Months With Nothing to Do |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/06/archives/worlds-fair-ousts-one-of-its-planners-j-f-shadgen-engineer-says-he.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
Whalen announced plans in June 1937 for a {{convert|280|acre|adj=on}} amusement zone at the south end of the fairground,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 4, 1937 |title=Fair Will Offer Carnival Zone Of 280 Acres: Amusement Facilities for 250,000 at One Time Planned at Queens Site |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=44 |id={{ProQuest|1322398659}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 4, 1937 |title=Fair Amusements to Cover 280 Acres: Vast Loop Will Enclose Lake and Midway Atmosphere of Past Will Be Barred |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/04/archives/fair-amusements-to-cover-280-acres-vast-loop-will-enclose-lake-and.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and Moses proposed adding a trailer parking lot and a community interests zone.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 14, 1937 |title=Parking Meld For Trailers At Fair Urged: Moses Sure No Commercial Tourist Camp Could Be Operated at a Profit |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1248714615}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 14, 1937 |title=Auto Trailer Zone at Fair is Planned; Moses Urges City to Acquire 43-Acre Tract and Start Work at Once |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/14/archives/auto-trailer-zone-at-fair-is-planned-moses-urges-city-to-acquire.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Work on the first non-commercial pavilion, the Temple of Peace, began in July.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1937 |title=Site is Dedicated for Peace Temple; Ground Broken at the World Fair for First Building for Cultural Purpose |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/23/archives/site-is-dedicated-for-peace-temple-ground-broken-at-the-world-fair.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The fairground's first structure, the administration building, was completed by the next month.<ref name="p1247045732">{{cite news |date=August 13, 1937 |title=Office Building Opens For World's Fair Today: 600 of Administration Staff Start Work There Monday World's Fair Administration Building Ready for Occupancy on Monday |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=36 |id={{ProQuest|1247045732}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 13, 1937 |title=Structure at Fair Dedicated Today; Administration Building, First to Be Completed, to Be Scene of Noon Ceremony |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/08/13/archives/structure-at-fair-dedicated-today-administration-building-first-to.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> At the time, 89 buildings were under construction,<ref name="n152131011">{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1937 |title=Theme Center's Site Dedicated for World Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-theme-centers/152131011/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=26}}</ref> and 86% of the fairground sites had been leased.<ref name="n152131011" /><ref>{{cite news |date=August 17, 1937 |title='Theme Center' Site Dedicated For World Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1323023566}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 17, 1937 |title=World Fair Space is 86% 'Spoken for'; Whalen Reveals Wide Backing at Dedication of the Plaza for Theme Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/08/17/archives/world-fair-space-is-86-spoken-for-whalen-reveals-wide-backing-at.html |access-date=July 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Utah became the first U.S. state to lease space in the fair's Hall of States that September,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 1937 |title=Utah First to Take Space In Fair's Hall of States: Italians Among Visitors to Flushing Meadows Site |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=30 |id={{ProQuest|1318551425}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 26, 1937 |title=Utah First State to Take Fair Space; Signs Contract With Whalen--$37,500 Already Voted for Its Exhibition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/26/archives/utah-first-state-to-take-fair-space-signs-contract-with-whalen37500.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> while Missouri was the first state to lease space for a standalone building.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 16, 1937 |title=Missouri Signs N.Y. Fair Contract |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|514452994}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 14, 1937 |title=Whalen Returns, Hopeful of Peace; Reports Results of His Trip to Europe in Interests of World's Fair Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/14/archives/whalen-returns-hopeful-of-peace-reports-results-of-his-trip-to.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Whalen also traveled to Europe to invite European countries to the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 14, 1937 |title=Earle Believes Europeans Do Not Want War |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|1222260948}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 14, 1937 |title=Whalen Returns, Hopeful of Peace; Reports Results of His Trip to Europe in Interests of World's Fair Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/14/archives/whalen-returns-hopeful-of-peace-reports-results-of-his-trip-to.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC reported in October that 62 construction contracts had been finished and that another 63 were in progress.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 18, 1937 |title=World's Fair Work Listed As Month Ahead of Time: Whalen Reports Commitments Total $10,500,000 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1254411243}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 18, 1937 |title=$10,500,000 Spent on the World Fair: Whalen Says Contracts Still to Be Let This Year Will Add $8,000,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/10/18/archives/10500000-spent-on-the-world-fair-whalen-says-contracts-still-to-be.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Various fairground buildings were rapidly being developed, as well as the ], the fair's icons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1937 |title=Fair Building Nucleus Rapidly Takes Shape |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fair-building-nucleus-rapidly/152136921/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=130}}</ref><ref name="n152184001">{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1937 |title=Acres, Acres of Men at Work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-acres-acres-of/152184001/ |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=13}}</ref> That December, the ] became the first automobile manufacturer to lease space at the fair;<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 8, 1937 |title=Ford Reserves Plot for Exhibit at Fair; Auto Company Contracts for 298,718 Square Feet, the Most for One Concern |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/08/archives/ford-reserves-plot-for-exhibit-at-fair-auto-company-contracts-for.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> by then, the WFC had received commitments from 60 nations.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 21, 1937 |title=N.Y. Fair Space Taken By 60 Nations Already |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|514506362}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 20, 1937 |title=60 Nations Accept World's Fair Bids; League Is Included in Those Signing Contracts or Asking for Space Reservations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/20/archives/60-nations-accept-worlds-fair-bids-league-is-included-in-those.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
==== 1938 and 1939 ==== | |||
] | |||
The WFC awarded the first fair concession in January 1938;<ref name="p1337043993">{{cite news |date=January 17, 1938 |title=Nickel Drinks Will Be a Nickel At World's Fair: Coca-Cola Contracts for 59 Stands and Will Serve Other Soft Beverages |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|1337043993}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 17, 1938 |title=World's Fair Lets First Concession; Coca-Cola Company Rents 59 Carbonated Beverage Stands and Big Exhibit Space |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/17/archives/worlds-fair-lets-first-concession-cocacola-company-rents-59.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> by then, Whalen was making plans for the fair's opening ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 1938 |title=World's Fair To Mass Troops Of All Nations: Whalen Says 50,000 Will Parade; Exposition Will Have Preview in' 3 Months |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1242864859}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 5, 1938 |title=World Fair Opening to Rival Coronation; Whalen Outlines Plans to Make Ceremony Here Example of Pomp and Grandeur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/02/05/archives/world-fair-opening-to-rival-coronation-whalen-outlines-plans-to.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Whalen wanted to have 100 buildings under construction by the end of April,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 15, 1938 |title=10,000 to Get Work Soon at World's Fair: 100 Buildings To Be Under Construction by End of April in Speed-Up Plan |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1250603314}}}}</ref> and the WFC planned to spend $10 million on upgrading the fairground's utilities.<ref name="p514781950">{{cite news |date=April 15, 1938 |title=New York's Great Fair Rising In Setting of Lavish Artistry: Preview of New York World's Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514781950}}}}</ref> Work on the Perisphere, the fair's theme building, began in early April,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 9, 1938 |title=1st Rivet Driven In Perisphere At World's Fair: Whalen, Stettinius, Aided by Catcher and Backer-Upper, Work Machinery to Start Theme Structure |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1242883982}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 9, 1938 |title=Fair Starts Work on Theme Center; Construction of Perisphere Begun as E. R. Stettinius Rivets First Bolt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/09/archives/fair-starts-work-on-theme-center-construction-of-perisphere-begun.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> along with work on the first foreign-government structure.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 8, 1938 |title=1 st Cornerstone Of Foreign Unit At Fair Is Laid: Farouk's Uncle Officiates at Egyptian Pavilion Ceremonies; Work Starts Today on Perisphere and Trylon |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1242970268}}}}</ref> The same month, the WFC leased out the last vacant sites in the fair's Government Zone.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 15, 1938 |title=64 Nations to Exhibit: Several Designs Approved A Carillon Tower |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514813608}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 15, 1938 |title=Four More Nations Join Worlds Fair; Eire, Venezuela, Lithuania and Sweden Sign Contracts for Exhibition Space |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/15/archives/four-more-nations-join-worlds-fair-eire-venezuela-lithuania-and.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Exactly one year before the fair's expected opening, the city hosted a parade with 1 million spectators on April 30, 1938;<ref>{{cite news |date=May 1, 1938 |title=Million Watch Motorcade in Preview for World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1242903554}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 1, 1938 |title=1,000,000 Watch Preview Parade; Line Route as the Motorcade Winds From Battery Place to World Fair Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/05/01/archives/1000000-watch-preview-parade-line-route-as-the-motorcade-winds-from.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the WFC also hosted a fireworks show the next week.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 9, 1938 |title=300,000 View Fair Fireworks, Week Late, Without Traffic Jam |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1244635602}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 9, 1938 |title=Fireworks Dazzle 600,000 at Fair Site; Throng Quarter-Mile Deep Is Described as One of Largest Ever to Assemble Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/05/09/archives/fireworks-dazzle-600000-at-fairsite-throng-quartermile-deep-is.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> That May, the WFC began allowing visitors to inspect the fairground on weekends for a fee.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 14, 1938 |title=Fair Grounds Now Open Only On Week Ends: Admission To Be Charged to Pay Cost of Handling Visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1244193559}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 14, 1938 |title=Westchester Soil is Stripped by Fair; Village Officials Protest at Making Potential 'Dust Bowl' of Wide Tracts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/05/14/archives/westchester-soil-is-stripped-by-fair-village-officials-protest-at.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> By then, many of the buildings were under construction.<ref name="nyt-1938-05-01">{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=L. H. |date=May 1, 1938 |title=It Begins to Look Like a Great Fair! |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/05/01/archives/it-begins-to-look-like-a-great-fair-out-on-transformed-flushing.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The structures were all supposed to be completed by the end of March 1939, giving one month for exhibitors to fit their pavilions out.<ref name="p1032170337">{{cite magazine |date=October 15, 1938 |title=General Outdoor: N. Y. World's Fair Amusement Zone Over Twice Size of Chi's; Officially Titled "The Loop" |magazine=The Billboard |pages=60 |volume=50 |issue=42 |id={{ProQuest|1032170337}}}}</ref> | |||
The WFC awarded contracts to 30 amusement-ride operators in June 1938, following months of disputes over the concessions.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 18, 1938 |title=World's Fair Body's Contract Okehs Presage Fun Zone Start |magazine=The Billboard |pages=3 |volume=50 |issue=25 |id={{ProQuest|1032159863}}}}</ref> Work was delayed for three weeks in July during a labor strike.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 19, 1938 |title=Strike at World's Fair Settled; Men Will Return to Jobs Today |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1244413859}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 19, 1938 |title=Strike Settled at World's Fair; 6,000 Men in Electrical and Construction Unions to Return to Jobs Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/19/archives/strike-settled-at-worlds-fair-6000-men-in-electrical-and.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the delivery of materials was delayed that September during the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1938 |title=Truckmen Return Under Truce Today; Strikers Give Four Days to Settle Row, But Threaten General Tie-Up |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/22/archives/truckmen-return-under-truce-today-strikers-give-four-days-to-settle.html |access-date=July 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC continued to issue concessions for eateries and amusement rides.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=August 27, 1938 |title=Fairs-Expositions: Much Midway Space Is Taken At World's Fair |magazine=The Billboard |pages=46, 48 |volume=50 |issue=35 |id={{ProQuest|1032161767}}}}</ref> By late 1938, workers were painting murals on buildings, and the subway stations serving the fairground were being completed.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 11, 1938 |title=World's Fair Building Progress From Blueprints to All Colors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A3 |id={{ProQuest|1243091894}}}}</ref> That October, the Heinz Dome became the first commercial exhibit to be completed,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 1938 |title=First Display Unit Completed at Fair; H. J. Heinz Company Hails Construction of 150-Foot Dome in Flushing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/10/16/archives/first-display-unit-completed-at-fair-h-j-heinz-company-hails.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and 80% of the fairground's {{Convert|3|e6ft2}} of exhibit space had been leased.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1938 |title=World Fair Space Nearly All Sold; Only 600,000 of Its 3,000,000 Square Feet for Exhibits Remain, Whalen Says Byrd to Reproduce Camp |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/10/09/archives/world-fair-space-nearly-all-sold-only-600000-of-its-3000000-square.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref name="p1032170337" /> Leasing lagged in the amusement zone; by that December, only two-thirds of the ride concessions had been leased.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 3, 1938 |title=Fairs-Expositions: New York World's Fair May Be Busy Holiday for P. A.'s |magazine=The Billboard |pages=35, 39 |volume=50 |issue=49 |id={{ProQuest|1032169240}}}}</ref> | |||
Whalen announced in January 1939 that the fairground was more than 90% complete,<ref name="Whalen p. 28" /><ref name="p1243107723" /> but although 95% of the buildings were under construction, work on one-third of the amusement concessions had not started.<ref name="p1243107723">{{cite news |date=January 15, 1939 |title=Whalen Says World's Fair Is 90% Ready: To Open 15 Weeks From Today; Exhibit Area Is Just About Complete |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1243107723}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 15, 1939 |title=N. Y. World's Fair is 90% Completed: All Space in Main Exhibit Area is Allocated, Grover Whalen Reports Costs of Construction Cut 20% Under Original Estimates, He Says |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|543092013}}}}</ref> The fair had attracted 1,300 industrial exhibitors and 70 concessionaires.<ref name="Whalen p. 28" /> In addition, 62 nations and 35 U.S. states or territories had leased space at the fair;<ref name="Whalen p. 28" /> their flags were flown atop a hill on the fairground.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1938 |title=62 Foreign Flags Flown At Site of World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/01/archives/62-foreign-flags-flown-at-site-of-worlds-fair.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In March 1939, a month and a half before the fair's official opening, Whalen announced plans to spend $1 million on shows and miniature villages in the Amusement Area.<ref name="p1257476186">{{cite news |last=Compere |first=Thomas |date=March 12, 1939 |title=Fair Will Pep Up Its Amusements With $1,000,000: Adopts More Liberal Policy Plans Foreign Villages |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|1257476186}}}}</ref> The lights on the fairground were first turned on that April, three weeks before the fair's scheduled opening.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 1939 |title=Lights Gleaming in Mist Test Enchantment of Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|514924806}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=April 11, 1939 |title=World's Fair Lights Turned On, Make Site a Dreamland of Color: New Systems of Many-Hued Fluorescent Tubes, Especially Developed to Carry Out Effects of Exposition, Have First Large-Seale Try-Out Fountain of Flame in World's Fair Lagoon of Nations |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1244864830}}}}</ref> In addition, La Guardia issued a ] declaring April 1939 as "Dress Up and Paint Up Month" in New York City.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 9, 1939 |title=World's Fair at Hand, Mayor Warns, Calling City to Spruce Up: April Set Aside As 'Dress Up, Paint Up Month LaGuardia's Proclamation Urges Public Particularly to Clear Vacant Lots |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=24 |id={{ProQuest|1243015920}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 6, 1939 |title=Ford Off for Home After Fair Rites |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-ford-off-for-home-after-f/154230498/ |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |pages=9}}</ref> Sixteen thousand workers were putting final touches on the site by mid-April,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 18, 1939 |title=16,000 at Work on World's Fair, Pay Roll Now $900,000 a Week: Concessions Rise Almost Like a Traveling Circus |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1247822956}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 18, 1939 |title=16,000 Workers Rush Job on World's Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star-16000-workers-rush-jo/154231287/ |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The Standard-Star |pages=13}}</ref> and foreign nations were delivering $100 million worth of exhibits to the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1939 |title=Treasures Arrive for World's Fair; Most of the Foreign Exhibits, Worth $100,000,000, Are Already at Scene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/20/archives/treasures-arrive-for-worlds-fair-most-of-the-foreign-exhibits-worth.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Thousands of additional workers were employed toward the end of April.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 28, 1939 |title=Rush Final Touches To World's Fair: Thousands Of Extra Workers Prepare Plenty To See, In Addition To Sunday's Gala Spectacle |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=1, 6 |volume=58 |issue=83 |id={{ProQuest|1728692619}}}}</ref> | |||
==Operation== | |||
The fairground ultimately cost {{US$|156,000,000|1939|round=-6|long=no}}, and Whalen anticipated that 60 million people would visit.<ref name="p1796267678">{{cite magazine |date=May 1, 1939 |title=$156,000,000 Show: Eleven Gates Ready to Swing at the N. Y. World's Fair: Spectacle |magazine=Newsweek |pages=46, 49 |volume=13 |issue=18 |id={{ProQuest|1796267678}}}}</ref> Five major ] companies were hired to provide newsreel coverage,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 7, 1937 |title=Pictures: Newsreels to Bally N.Y.'s '39 World Fair |magazine=Variety |page=4 |volume=127 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|1505646066}}}}</ref> and the ] and ] both had radio broadcasting studios there.<ref name="p1014928343">{{Cite magazine |last=Robertson |first=Bruce |date=May 1, 1939 |title=Television Motif Marks New York Fair |magazine=Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising |pages=20–21 |volume=16 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1014928343}}}}</ref> The WFC hired Exposition Publications to print a guidebook, souvenir book, and daily programs,<ref>{{cite news |date=December 12, 1938 |title=Contract Let For Three Fair Publications: New York Company to Put Out Official Guide, Daily Program and a Souvenir for Exposition Visitors Parachute Jumps to Thrill Visitors to Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1260673578}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 12, 1938 |title=Contracts Signed for Fair's Books; Exposition Publications Is to Put Out Guide, a Souvenir Volume and Daily Program |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/12/12/archives/contracts-signed-for-fairs-books-exposition-publications-is-to-put.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and it promoted 17 other publications about the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 24, 1938 |title=World's Fair Lists 17 Publications on Aspects of Exhibit: Whalen Announces Works of Educational and Scientific Type |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1258613666}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 25, 1938 |title=17 New Books Win Approval of Fair; List Includes Official GuideBook, Study of New York in Time of Washington Sponsored Volumes Listed Educational Features Discussed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/12/25/archives/17-new-books-win-approval-of-fair-list-includes-official-guidebook.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The ] (BIE) retroactively recognized the 1939 World's Fair as an official World Expo, even though the BIE's rules permitted official Expos to run for only one year.{{sfn|Caro|1974|page=1092}} | |||
Whalen agreed to hire only ] laborers to install exhibits on the fairground; in exchange, several trade unions agreed to buy the WFC's bonds.<ref name="p1796831853">{{Cite magazine |date=June 19, 1939 |title=Unfair at Fair?: New York Unions Are Accused of Shaking Down Exhibitors |magazine=Newsweek |pages=21–22 |volume=13 |issue=25 |id={{ProQuest|1796831853}}}}</ref> Free emergency services were provided on site by dozens of doctors and nurses,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 20, 1938 |title=Fair to Provide Free First Aid Medical Care: Intoxicated visitors to Get Hangover-less Remedy 6 Stations Will Be Ready for Emergency Cases |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=42 |id={{ProQuest|1256797402}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 20, 1938 |title=Long Island Plans 10c Ride to Fair; Facilities to Be Taxed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/10/20/archives/long-island-plans-10c-ride-to-fair-facilities-to-be-taxed.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and there were six first-aid stations, a mobile X-ray machine, and five ambulances.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=6 First-aid Units on Guard at Fair; Free Treatment Is Ready for Victims of Accidents—Five Ambulances on Duty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/30/archives/6-firstaid-units-on-guard-at-fair-free-treatment-is-ready-for.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The fairground was covered by a temporary ] (NYPD) precinct<ref>{{cite news |date=April 13, 1939 |title=Valentine Sets Up New Police Precinct for Fair Area: Detail Reports Saturday for Duty in Corona Quarters in Schoolhouse; Exposition's Own Force to Onerate on Grounds |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1263346746}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 13, 1939 |title=Police-precinct Set Up for Fair; To Be Known as 110-A, It Will Occupy Former Corona School --Opening Set for Saturday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/13/archives/policeprecinct-set-up-for-fair-to-be-known-as-110a-it-will-occupy.html |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and a temporary ] (FDNY) battalion with 118 firefighters.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 2, 1938 |title=Mayor Sets Up Special Body of Fair Firemen |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1244525037}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 2, 1938 |title=Fire Unit to Serve Fair Grounds Only; Battalion of Four Companies Will Have 20 Officers and 98 City Firemen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/02/archives/fire-unit-to-serve-fair-grounds-only-battalion-of-four-companies.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, the Queens County Court was temporarily expanded to hear additional criminal cases relating to the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 15, 1939 |title=Queens Court to Expand For World's Fair Cases: Out-of-Town Judges Invited to Sit in Extra Session |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1257058837}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 15, 1939 |title=Wheels of Justice to Whirl for Fair; Special Bureau Will Assure Swift Trials for Visitors, Queens Prosecutor Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/02/15/archives/wheels-of-justice-to-whirl-for-fair-special-bureau-will-assure.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
=== 1939 season === | |||
==== Preparations and opening ==== | |||
] and Queen ] of the United Kingdom visited the fair in 1939.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 11, 1939 |title=Lack of Time Couses Drastic Curtailment of Reception at the World's Fair |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/11/archives/lack-of-time-couses-drastic-curtailment-of-reception-at-the-worlds.html |access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>|alt=King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, who are photographed waving during a visit to the fair]] | |||
For the 1939 season, the WFC charged 75 cents per adult and 25 cents per child; the agency also sold season tickets, multi-visit tickets, and souvenir ticket books.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 16, 1939 |title=75 Cents Admission to the Fair For Adults; Children 25 Cents |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1247094172}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 16, 1939 |title=Admission to Fair Fixed at 75 Cents; Cost to Children Will Be 25 Cents, With One Day a Week Set Aside at a Dime |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/02/16/archives/admission-to-fair-fixed-at-75-cents-cost-to-children-will-be-25.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Manhattan borough president ] had wanted the WFC to give students free admission, but Moses opposed the proposal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1938 |title=Free Tickets to Fair for Pupils Opposed; Proposal by Isaacs Draws Fire of Moses and Lyons |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/06/17/archives/free-tickets-to-fair-for-pupils-opposed-proposal-by-isaacs-draws.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Whalen began selling discounted advance tickets in February 1939;<ref name="p1247544481">{{cite news |date=February 24, 1939 |title=No Fair Passes, Mayor Says as He Buys Ticket: Even Officials of Exposition and City Will Have to Pay; Advance Sale On Today |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1247544481}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 25, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair Bans Free Tickets |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|515014104}}}}</ref> the corporation wanted to sell at least $3 million in advance tickets.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 1939 |title=Advance Ticket Goal of Fair Set At $3,000,000: Reporting Wide Interest, Whalen Plans to Extend Sale Outside of New York |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1244701126}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 17, 1939 |title=$3,000,000 'Advance' is Expected by Fair; Whalen Sets That as Goal for Special Type Tickets at Bargain Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/02/17/archives/3000000-advance-is-expected-by-fair-whalen-sets-that-as-goal-for.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> A thousand retailers in the New York metropolitan area sold advance tickets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1939 |title=1,000 Stores Offer Tickets for Fair; Advance Sale Extended to Retail Outlets Throughout Metropolitan Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/04/archives/1000-stores-offer-tickets-for-fair-advance-sale-extended-to-retail.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The fair initially did not distribute free tickets to anyone, although journalists could visit the fairground free of charge.<ref name="p1247544481" /> Advance ticket sales were supposed to have ended on April 23, 1939, but the WFC had to print additional souvenir books due to high demand.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 22, 1939 |title=Advance Sale of Fair Tickets Ends Today Except $15 Ones |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|1255482888}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 23, 1939 |title=Advance Sale Extended On World Fair Tickets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/23/archives/advance-sale-extended-on-world-fair-tickets.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Though there was an ] fee for some of the exhibits and attractions, three-fourths of the original attractions did not charge any extra fees.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 3, 1939 |title=Sightseer at World's Fair Can Pass a Week Covering Only Free Attractions: Entertainment On a Vast Scale Open to Guests |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1255013146}}}}</ref> | |||
On April 30, 1939, exactly 150 years after Washington's first inauguration,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1936 |title=Washington Gave Slogan for Fair; Inaugural Speech in 1789 Spoke of 'Pursuit of Public Good,' Chosen as Theme. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/09/archives/washington-gave-slogan-for-fair-inaugural-speech-in-1789-spoke-of.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the fair formally opened with a speech by President Roosevelt.<ref name="n154235089">{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1939 |title=Gay Throng of 600,000 Jams World's Fair for Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-gay-throng-of-600000-j/154235089/ |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The Buffalo News |pages=10 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 1, 1939 |title=Address Opens World's Fair: 600,000 Attendance Is Disappointing Exposition Theme Hailed in Talk |work=Daily Boston Globe |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|817042199}}}}</ref><ref name="p1247102690">{{cite news |date=May 1, 1939 |title=Half Million See World's Fair on Opening Day; Roosevelt Calls It Symbol of the Will to Peace |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1247102690}}}}</ref> Twenty-eight United States Navy ] arrived in New York City for the fair's opening,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=Roosevelt Opens World Fair Today, Arrival of Fleet Stirs Up Excitement |work=The Hartford Courant |page=B7 |id={{ProQuest|559157754}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=Pride of Navy Here; 28 Men-of-War Steam Into Harbor at Dawn—Mayor Greets Them |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/30/archives/pride-of-navy-here-28-menofwar-steam-into-harbor-at-dawnmayor.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and 20,000 people participated in a parade celebrating the opening.<ref name="p1247102690" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1939 |title=20,000 Take Part in Gay Pageant; on the March in Colorful Parade at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/01/archives/24000-take-part-in-gay-pageant-on-the-march-in-colorful-parade-at.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The fair received 600,000 visitors on its first day, far short of the 1 million visitors that the WFC had predicted.<ref name="n154235089" /><ref name="p1247102690" /> At the time, many major attractions in the Amusement Area were incomplete,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 1, 1939 |title=Play Area's Gala Opening Put Off For Two Weeks: Whalen Decides on Second Try After Tour Reveals It Still Far From Complete |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1247103281}}}}</ref><ref name="p1505713328">{{cite magazine |last=Schoenfeld |first=Joe |date=April 26, 1939 |title=Outdoors: Analysis of the Midway Slows That Phase of N. Y. Fair Furthest Behind |magazine=Variety |page=47 |volume=134 |issue=7 |id={{ProQuest|1505713328}}}}</ref> and only 80% of the structures were ready.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=Alice |date=April 30, 1939 |title=A Woman's New York: The World's Fair Is 80 Per Cent Ready . . . And That's Considered a High Figure |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=S10 |id={{ProQuest|151210445}}}}</ref> The fair accommodated one million visitors in its first four days.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 5, 1939 |title=Bride Honored at Fair As Its Millionth Visitor: Dutch and Finnish Pavilions Formally Opened |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1244879624}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 5, 1939 |title=One Millionth Visitor Hailed at World Fair: Bride of 20, on Honeymoon, Welcomed by Whalen at Show Pavilions of the Netherlands and Finland Are Dedicated |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|543083512}}}}</ref> By mid-May, the fair was 90% finished, but many of the amusement attractions were still incomplete.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 8, 1939 |title=Whalen's Marvel: President Pulls the Curtain on Mammoth N. Y. World's Fair |magazine=Newsweek |pages=15 |volume=13 |issue=19 |id={{ProQuest|1797082869}}}}</ref> The WFC's operations department oversaw the remainder of the construction.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 20, 1939 |title=World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Operations Dept. Assumes Duties of Construction |magazine=The Billboard |pages=30 |volume=51 |issue=20 |id={{ProQuest|1032193160}}}}</ref> | |||
==== May to October ==== | |||
In early May, the WFC began selling 10-cent children's tickets once a week,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 4, 1939 |title=Poland Opens Pavilion at Fair First School Class Goes In Free: Attendance Holds Up Despite Cool Weather Initial Dime Day for Children Will Be Held Tomorrow; Finland and Netherlands on Parade Today |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1244875120}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=May 4, 1939 |title=Poland's Pavilion at the Fair Dedicated by Count Potocki |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/04/archives/polands-pavilion-at-the-fair-dedicated-by-count-potocki-envoy.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> which helped increase children's attendance significantly.<ref name="NYT 1939 e020">{{cite web |date=June 19, 1939 |title=Fair 'Over the Top,' Whalen Holds, Predicting Unparalleled Success; Reply to Critics Is Seen in Report It Is 'Firing on All Cylinders'--Attendance Said to Run Within 1 Per Cent of Estimates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/19/archives/fair-over-the-top-whalen-holds-predicting-unparalleled-success.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 Aug 1939 |title=World's Fair Visited By 1,806,237 Children: 399,049 Came for 10 Cents; More 'Bargains' Urged |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1319988075}}}}</ref> At La Guardia's behest,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 25, 1939 |title=Fair to Admit School Pupils Of City Free |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1255498158}}}}</ref> the ] operated guided tours in which school classes could visit the fair for free.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=June 29, 1939 |title=Jersey Dedicates Fair Exhibit Recalling Revolution Role |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/29/archives/jersey-dedicates-fair-exhibit-recalling-revolution-role-new-jersey.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Concessionaires in the Amusement Area asked the WFC to consider offering reduced-price tickets after 9 p.m.,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 8, 1939 |title=222,423 Swarm Into Fair On Second Largest Day: Festive Spirit Rides, and Family Groups Turn Out; Breezes Temper the Hottest Day of the Year; 50c Admission After 9 P. M. Considered |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1260932607}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 9, 1939 |title=Show Men to Press Fight for Price Cut; Ask 50-Cent Fee for Admission After 9 P.M.--Meet Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/09/archives/show-men-to-press-fight-for-price-cut-ask-50cent-fee-for-admission.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the WFC opened more restaurants late that May.<ref name="nyt-1939-05-18">{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=May 18, 1939 |title=Russian Envoy Open Nation's Pavilion at Fair as a 'Good Neighbor' of U.S. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/18/archives/russian-envoy-open-nations-pavilion-at-fair-as-a-good-neighbor-of.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Within a month of the fair's opening, several exhibitors had alleged that labor unions had charged exorbitant prices for labor at the fair,<ref name="p1796831853" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Essary |first=J. Fred |date=7 Jun 1939 |title=Union Demands Beset Foreign Shows at Fair: Some Exhibitors Submit Lest Outcries Strain U. S. Relations Protest by New York Judge Against Actions Unavailing |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|543079936}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=May 24, 1939 |title=Fair Is Seeking To Cut Costs to Mollify Nevada: New Construction Bids Will Be Asked; Connecticut Joins Protest on Strikes |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1263426317}}}}</ref> and the ] canceled their exhibit due to high labor-union costs.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 9, 1939 |title=Nevada Drops Out of Fair Over Union Trouble: Official Says Electricians Demanded Rewiring Here of Work Done in West |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1247101731}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 6, 1939 |title=Nevada Cancels Exhibit; High Cost Is the Reason |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/06/archives/nevada-cancels-exhibit-high-cost-is-the-reason.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Due to concerns over sexually explicit content, several of the fair's shows were raided as well.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 30, 1939 |title=Censor Descends Upon 'Sexy' Shows; Fair Official Orders Five to Erase 'Vulgarity' and Tone Down Various Scenes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/30/archives/censor-descends-upon-sexy-shows-fair-official-orders-five-to-erase.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> That June, to accommodate high demand, the WFC rescheduled the fair's nightly fountain performances at the Lagoon of Nations,<ref>{{cite news |date=5 June 1939 |title=World's Fair Changing Fountain Display Hour to 9.30 P. M: Morning Rain Freshens Area For Big Crowds Roses Perk Up, Air Grows Invigorating; Mayor Helps Dedicate Greek Pavilion |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|1251885537}}}}</ref> which attracted up to 60,000 observers a night.<ref name="NYT 1939 e020" /> The same month, the WFC established a committee to oversee the amusement area,<ref>{{cite news |date=28 June 1939 |title=World's Fair Picks Comdr. Lammers to Head Committee Controlling Amusements: Move Climaxes Tightening Up On Play Center Shows Will Be Supervised Closely, and Broadway Standard Will Prevail |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1252002256}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=June 28, 1939 |title=New Head Named for Amusements; Commander H.N. Lammers Is Expected to Maintain Same Standards as Broadway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/28/archives/new-head-named-for-amusements-commander-hn-lammers-is-expected-to.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and amusement concessionaires agreed to offer discounted ride tickets once a week.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 20, 1939 |title=World's Fair Announces '5 and 10 Cent Days' for Children, Beginning Tomorrow |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1247836545}}}}</ref> The WFC also sold discounted 50-cent tickets to organizations and businesses who bought at least 500 tickets.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |date=August 12, 1939 |title=Railroads Offer 50c Fair Gate Fee; Out-of-Town Guests May Buy Excursion Tickets Reducing Fare and Admission Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/12/archives/railroads-offer-50c-fair-gate-fee-outoftown-guests-may-buy.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="p1322112646">{{cite news |date=12 Aug 1939 |title=World's Fair Reduces Admission to 50 Cents for Rail Excursions of 500 or More: Roads Will Sell Tickets to Help Weekday Gate Exposition Prepares More Free Shows for Second of 50-Cent Week Ends |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=26 |id={{ProQuest|1322112646}}}}</ref> | |||
Lower-than-expected attendance prompted Whalen to fire hundreds of employees in July 1939,<ref>{{cite news |date=20 July 1939 |title=New York World's Fair Slashes Pay of All Executives 10% |work=Chicago Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|175589676}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=19 July 1939 |title=Fair Cuts Staff in Economy Move: Information Service Curtailed—Dismissed Guides Hold Celebration Tear Gold Braid, Badge From Uniforms and Wade in Pool |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|543079427}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 19, 1939 |title=Fair Drops Hundreds of Workers; Cadets Leap Into Pool as Protest |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/19/archives/fair-drops-hundreds-of-workers-cadets-leap-into-pool-as-protest-all.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and there were also proposals to reduce performers' salaries.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Jul 19, 1939 |title=Legitimate: Equity Now Likely to Scale Down Minimum Salaries at World's Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=40 |volume=135 |issue=6 |id={{ProQuest|1475961216}}}}</ref> The same month, the WFC began selling discounted "combination tickets" with snacks and admission to multiple attractions,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 18, 1939 |title=Fair Offers $1 Bargain Ticket, Worth $2.25 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1252147099}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Frank S. |date=July 18, 1939 |title=$1 Bargain Ticket is Offered by Fair; Has $2.25 Week-End Value in Gate Fee, Food, Concessions --Plan on Trial This Week |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/18/archives/1-bargain-ticket-is-offered-by-fair-has-225-weekend-value-in-gate.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> as well as "bargain books" with food vouchers and admission tickets.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 25, 1939 |title=Whalen Reports Satisfaction at Result of Plan |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|1321995346}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Frank S. |date=July 25, 1939 |title=Utah at Fair Hails Mormon Pioneers; Observing Utah's Day at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/25/archives/utah-at-fair-hails-mormon-pioneers-observing-utahs-day-at-the.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> At the request of amusement-ride operators,<ref>{{cite news |date=17 July 1939 |title=Whalen May Cut Admission To N.Y. World Fair to 50 Cents |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|515262894}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=July 16, 1939 |title=Fair's Exhibitors Ask 50c Gate Fee; Attendance Rises; Committee Joins Play Zone in Urging Reduction to Serve as Inducement to Crowds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/16/archives/fairs-exhibitors-ask-50c-gate-fee-attendance-rises-committee-joins.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> the WFC also considered reducing admission prices.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 29, 1939 |title=World's Fair to Decide Monday on Cutting Admission Price to 50 Cents: Slash Favored By Concessions And Exhibitors Attendance, Despite Bargain Tickets, Is Disappointing; Maryland Has Its Day |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|1324019681}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=July 29, 1939 |title=Action Expected Monday on Cut in Fair's Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/29/archives/action-expected-monday-on-cut-in-fairs-rates-decision-seen-near-on.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> At the beginning of August, admission was reduced to 50 cents during weekends,<ref>{{cite news |date=7 Aug 1939 |title=Fair's 2-Day Paid Gate 400,473 On Its First 50-Cent Week End: Carnival Crowds Enjoy Pleasant Sunday Weather, Hear Swing Music All Over Grounds; Committee to Study Figures, Discuss All-Week Cut |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1324999284}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=August 7, 1939 |title=Week-end Throngs Exceed Fair's Goal; Lower Fee Draws Crowd-- Long Lines Wait Before Popular Concessions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/07/archives/weekend-throngs-exceed-fairs-goal-lower-fee-draws-crowd-long-lines.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="p1032198816">{{cite magazine |date=Aug 12, 1939 |title=World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Hope Fading for Full-week 50-cent Gate |magazine=The Billboard |page=28 |volume=51 |issue=32 |id={{ProQuest|1032198816}}}}</ref> and the WFC started selling discounted 40-cent tickets at night.<ref name="p1032198816" /><ref name="p1322112646" /> The WFC also began allowing railroads to sell 50-cent tickets to groups of 500 or more passengers.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="p1322112646" /> With daily attendance averaging 129,000—less than half the original estimate of 270,000—the WFC was unsure if the fair would run for another season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 Aug 1939 |title=Attendance Slim at World's Fair: Drawing Power Only Hull of What Promoters Predicted Daily Average 141,000 Below Estimate—Second-year Run Uncertain |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|538578766}}}}</ref> The fair's financial standing was so bad that, by mid-August the WFC was asking bondholders to lend it more money,<ref>{{cite news |date=16 Aug 1939 |title=World's Fair Asks To Use Funds Held For Debentures: Also Proposes That Holders Waive Next $2,800,000 Accruing Under Indenture Contractors' Bills Overdue |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|131214072}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=August 16, 1939 |title=Fair Bonds Slump Sharply in Market; Break Follows News That Show Needs Cash for Debts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/16/archives/fair-bonds-slump-sharply-in-market-break-follows-news-that-show.html |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the bondholders agreed to forgo their right to collect a portion of the fair's admission revenue.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 Aug 1939 |title=World's Fair Debenture Holders Agree to Waive Payments Under New Fiscal Plan |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1319968323}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=August 30, 1939 |title=Bondholders Back Fair's Fiscal Plan; 54% Waive Rights to Profits, and Proposal Goes Into Effect Immediately |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/30/archives/bondholders-back-fairs-fiscal-plan-54-waive-rights-to-profits-and.html |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> A writer for ''Variety'' magazine said local residents tended to avoid the fair's restaurants and that the amusement area deterred visitors with more refined tastes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Green |first=Abel |date=Aug 23, 1939 |title=Restaurateurs' Private Probe on Why Class Spenders Shun N.Y. World's Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=1, 40 |volume=135 |issue=11 |id={{ProQuest|1475948859}}}}</ref> | |||
In September 1939, the WFC began inviting foreign exhibitors to return for a second season.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 Sep 1939 |title=Fair To Continue Year If Foreign Exhibits Remain |work=The Hartford Courant |page=C8 |id={{ProQuest|559228261}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 3, 1939 |title=Fair in 1940 Revealed as a Certainty in Spite of the War Situation Abroad |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/03/archives/fair-in-1940-revealed-as-a-certainty-in-spite-of-the-war-situation.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> At the time, Harvey D. Gibson, who led the WFC's board of directors, did not anticipate that the WFC would encounter any financial issues between the two seasons.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 Sep 1939 |title=World's Fair to End the Year in Strong Financial Position, Gibson Says: Chairman Feels War Has Little Bearing on '40 Whalen, in Capital, Consults Berle About Expediting Other Nations' Invitations |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1252385722}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 7, 1939 |title=Gibson Confident Fair Will Go on; Show Is in Good Financial Shape to Reopen in 1940, Chairman Asserts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/07/archives/gibson-confident-fair-will-go-on-show-is-in-good-financial-shape-to.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The same month, the ] was the first industrial exhibitor to renew its lease.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 11, 1939 |title=World's Fair Crowds Reflect War Influence by Flocking to Foreign Ceremonies: First Exhibitor Renews Space For Next Year |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1324138965}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=September 11, 1939 |title=1940 Fair Receives Its First Renewal From Trade Area; Delighted by Increased Sales, Carrier Corporation Plans to Expand Its Display |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/11/archives/1940-fair-receives-its-first-renewal-from-trade-area-delighted-by.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 Sep 1939 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Officials Plan Second Year Program |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|515319659}}}}</ref> Southern Rhodesia was the first exhibitor to shutter its pavilion entirely,<ref name="p1325006175" /> and other exhibitors curtailed their operations.<ref name="p1325006175">{{cite news |date=September 12, 1939 |title=Rhodesia Shuts Fair Exhibit as Result of War: France Curtails Operation of Her Pavilion 3 Hours Daily in Economy Move |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1325006175}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=September 12, 1939 |title=Southern Rhodesia Quits World's Fair; Pavilion Is Closed on Orders From Government as the First 'War Casualty' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/12/archives/southern-rhodesia-quits-worlds-fair-pavilion-is-closed-on-orders.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref name="p1032201266">{{cite magazine |date=Sep 30, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair: 1940 Session Talk Continues, With 50c Gate Indicated |magazine=The Billboard |page=26 |volume=51 |issue=39 |id={{ProQuest|1032201266}}}}</ref> Whalen also traveled to Europe, asking exhibitors to return in 1940.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 Sep 1939 |title=Whalen Sails for Europe to Enlist Nations' Participation in World's Fair Next Year: Mayor at Dock, Asserts He May Make Tour, Too Trip to South America Not 'Definite'; Fine Weather Brings Big Attendance |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=32 |id={{ProQuest|1259752892}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=Sep 23, 1939 |title=World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Paid Attendance |magazine=The Billboard |page=28 |volume=51 |issue=38 |id={{ProQuest|1032210657}}}}</ref><ref name="NYT 1939 m181">{{cite web |date=September 17, 1939 |title=Fair Lures Crowds From Hinterlands; Out-of-Town Visitors Increase as Exhibition Enters Its Final Six Weeks of 1939 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/17/archives/fair-lures-crowds-from-hinterlands-outoftown-visitors-increase-as.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> At the end of September, the WFC notified the city government that it intended to lease the land for a second season,<ref>{{cite news |date=26 Sep 1939 |title=Fair Will Start '40 Machinery Rolling Today: Will Tell Moses It Intends to Renew Lease and Move to Sign Up Exhibitors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1258221519}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 26, 1939 |title=Fair Will Take Up 1940 Option on Site; Board Meets Today to Renew Rights to Grounds—Formal Notice Deadline Is Oct. 1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/26/archives/fair-will-take-up-1940-option-on-site-board-meets-today-to-renew.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the WFC reduced admission fees to 50 cents for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 Sep 1939 |title=1940 Approved By Industrial Fair Exhibitors: 50-Cent Admission at All Times, Smaller Fun Zone Suggested for Operation |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1321997704}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 27, 1939 |title=Fair Cuts Its Rate to Flat 50 Cents for All October; Bargain Price to Apply Every Day From Sunday Until Close, Gibson Reveals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/27/archives/fair-cuts-its-rate-to-flat-50-cents-for-all-october-bargain-price.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In the final weeks of the 1939 season, visitors increasingly came from outside the New York City area.<ref name="NYT 1939 m181" /> The final week was celebrated with a ]–themed festival.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 Oct 1939 |title=World's Fair Begins Colorful Grand Finale With a Mardi Gras Week: Merry Parade For Children Sets the Tempo Torchlight Procession and Strolling Clowns Provide Atmosphere of Carnival |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1254172469}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=23 Oct 1939 |title=Week of Mardi Gras To Close New York Fair: League Plans for 1940 24,382,436 Admissions |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514987136}}}}</ref> | |||
When the first season ended on October 31, 1939,<ref>{{cite news |date=November 1, 1939 |title=Fair Closes, 79,482 in Rain Say Au Revoir: Last Hardy Sightseers and Bargain Hunters TurnOut at Quiet Finale |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1267842853}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=November 1, 1939 |title=1939 Fair Closes; Seen by 26,000,000; Plans Laid for '40; Last Day is Quiet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/11/01/archives/1939-fair-closes-seen-by-26000000-plans-laid-for-40-last-day-is.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the WFC had recorded 25,817,265 paying guests.<ref name="p13200805912">{{cite news |date=October 28, 1940 |title=Paid Total Exceeds 45.000,000: Season's Admissions Pass 19,000,000; Fun Zone Has 54-Minnle Blackout, Willi Parachutes Stalled 5 Minutes; Last-Day Crowds Gay |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1320080591}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Traube |first=Leonard |date=Jan 4, 1941 |title=Fairs-Expositions: New York World's Fair |magazine=The Billboard |pages=44, 50 |volume=53 |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|1032246303}}}}</ref> Attendance had exceeded 100,000 on 114 days, or about 62% of the season.<ref name="p1032227139">{{cite magazine |date=9 Nov 1940 |title=New York World's Fair |magazine=The Billboard |page=31 |volume=52 |issue=45 |id={{ProQuest|1032227139}}}}</ref> At the peak of the first season, the WFC had directly employed about 8,500 people, and exhibitors had employed another 16,500.<ref name="Shalett f326">{{cite web |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=October 29, 1939 |title=Fair Prepares to Hibernate; As Its First Year Draws to a Close, New York's Exposition Faces Many Tasks Before Reopening on May 25, 1940 Schedule Mapped Keeping Roads Open Storing the Exhibits From Foreign Countries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/10/29/archives/fair-prepares-to-hibernate-as-its-first-year-draws-to-a-close-new.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Including workers on temporary permits, the fair had recorded 32.79 million visitors.<ref name="n155152087">{{Cite news |date=1939-11-16 |title=Fair Used Plenty of Water—Over 547,321,500 Gallons |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-fair-used-plenty-of-water/155152087/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=Brooklyn Eagle |pages=3}}</ref> At the end of the first season, the WFC owed bondholders $23.5 million, and it had $1.13 million on hand.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 Nov 1939 |title=World's Fair Cash On October 29 Totals $1,328,000, Says Gibson: Expects No Financial Problem to Interfere With 1940 Opening New Plans Underway |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|130481799}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=1 Nov 1939 |title='World of Tomorrow' Owes $23,000,000 but Is Success |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|515465669}}}}</ref> In addition, the fair had handled 8.52 million phone calls and 3.3 million pieces of mail.<ref name="n155152087" /> Around 150 fairgoers had been arrested during the first season,{{Efn|Sources variously cite the fair as having recorded 146,<ref>{{cite web |date=November 6, 1939 |title=Mayor is Gratified by 'Crimeless Fair; Praises Police and Exposition for Low Number of Arrests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/11/06/archives/mayor-is-gratified-by-crimeless-fair-praises-police-and-exposition.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> 147,<ref name="n155152087" /> or 158 arrests in 1939.<ref name="NYT 1940 w933" />}} only one of whom was charged with a felony.<ref name="NYT 1939 p459">{{cite web |date=November 4, 1939 |title=Only One Felony Reported at Fair; Queens Grand Jury Is Discharged |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/11/04/archives/only-one-felony-reported-at-fair-queens-grand-jury-is-discharged.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=Alice |date=15 Nov 1939 |title=A Woman's New York: World's Fair Has Record of Only One Felony |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|151106961}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=1939-11-04 |title=Only 1 'Bad Egg' in Fair's 32 Million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-only-1-bad-egg-in-fair/155151942/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=Brooklyn Eagle |pages=7}}</ref> | |||
=== Off-season === | |||
] | |||
After the 1939 season ended, many exhibits were removed for safekeeping, and the fairground's utilities were turned off.<ref name="Shalett f326" /><ref name="p1243147272">{{cite news |last=Compere |first=Thomas |date=5 Nov 1939 |title=World's Fair Quickly Folds Up Its Exhibits, Puts Them Away In Wait for the 1940 Season: Shows Operating Profit, Despite $24, 000, 000 Obligation |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A4 |id={{ProQuest|1243147272}}}}</ref> Most of the fair's 2,800 employees were reassigned to other positions,<ref name="NYT 1939 p459" /> though the WFC hired a ] and allocated $3.3 million to maintain the fairground during the off-season.<ref name="Shalett f326" /><ref name="p1243147272" /> The FDNY and NYPD watched over the fairground, and many exhibitors also hired their own security guards.<ref name="Shalett f326" /><ref>{{cite news |date=27 Oct 1939 |title=Fair's $75,000,000 Property To Have Strong Winter Guard |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=22 |id={{ProQuest|1252696086}}}}</ref> Because of lower-than-expected attendance,<ref name="p964511165">{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=Peter |date=15 June 1980 |title=Dawn of a New Day,' exhibition of hove |work=Newsday |page=B19 |id={{ProQuest|964511165}}}}</ref> the WFC agreed to reduce adult admission prices to 50 cents.<ref name="p1032201266" /><ref>{{cite news |date=November 2, 1939 |title=World's Fair to Charge 50 Cents When It Reopens for '40 Season |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1319988416}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=November 2, 1939 |title=50-cent Fair Rate is Fixed for 1940; Brazil to Return; Gibson Formally Announces Plan After a Conference With Concessionnaires |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/11/02/archives/50cent-fair-rate-is-fixed-for-1940-brazil-to-return-gibson-formally.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC agreed to redesign the Amusement Area to emphasize the rides there.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 Oct 1939 |title=Fair Plans More Free Entertainment and Lower Prices for 1940 Amusement Area: Gibson Asserts Play Zone Will Be Made Gayer Sim Valley to Raise Scaling Capacity to 8,000; Town of Tomorrow to Return |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |id={{ProQuest|1319980584}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 21, 1939 |title=World's Fair Aspires to the Title of 'People's Playground' Next Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/10/21/archives/worlds-fair-aspires-to-the-title-of-peoples-playground-next-year.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=Nov 4, 1939 |title=World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Fun Area Will Be Re-designed; New Head for Acc Soon |magazine=The Billboard |page=30 |volume=51 |issue=44 |id={{ProQuest|1032207444}}}}</ref> The corporation also tried to attract visitors within an overnight drive from New York City, rather than guests from further afield.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Dec 26, 1939 |title=World's Fair Busily Engaged In Preparations For 1940: Appeal Believed Likely To Be Concentrated On Drawing Patronage From Nearby Areas—To Facilitate Merchandise Tie-Ups. |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=32 |volume=59 |issue=123 |id={{ProQuest|1653739369}}}}</ref> | |||
At the requests of several U.S. state exhibitors,<ref>{{cite news |date=3 Oct 1939 |title=Fair Exhibitors Seek Rent Cut |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|515321882}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=6 Oct 1939 |title=Fair Gets Plea By Exhibitors to Cut Rents in '40: Lack of Executive Committee Quorum Delays Action on Request by the States |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1257983497}}}}</ref> the WFC halved rent rates for U.S. state pavilions during the second season.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 10, 1939 |title=World's Fair Cuts Rentals for State Exhibits by Half for 1940 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1254042233}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=October 10, 1939 |title=Fair Rent Cut 50% for States in 1940; Exhibitors' Association Wins Demand—Move Is Held a Sign of Other Slashes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/10/10/archives/fair-rent-cut-50-for-states-in-1940-exhibitors-association-wins.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Despite the uncertainty caused by the ongoing war, many European countries expressed interest in returning.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 Dec 1939 |title=Europe in the 1940 N.Y. Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|515557035}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite magazine |date=Dec 29, 1939 |title=Whalen Finds General Support In Europe For N. Y. World Fair |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=6 |volume=59 |issue=126 |id={{ProQuest|1677144592}}}}</ref> In January 1940, Finland became the first country to agree to reopen its pavilion,<ref>{{cite news |date=January 31, 1940 |title=Finland Renews Fair Contract, First Nation to Sign Up for '40 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1243020377}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 31, 1940 |title=Finland Joins the Fair, First From Abroad; Dec. 19 Agreement Withheld Because of War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/31/archives/finland-joins-the-fair-first-from-abroad-dec-19-agreement-withheld.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> while West Virginia was the first U.S. state to lease additional space.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 24, 1940 |title=West Virginia Renews Lease on Fair Pavilion: Enlargement to Care for 12 Additional Exhibits |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1242942722}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 24, 1940 |title=West Virginia Signs 1940 Fair Contract; First State to Take Advantage of 50 Per Cent Rent Cut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/24/archives/west-virginia-signs-1940-fair-contract-first-state-to-take.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> More than thirty nations had agreed to return to the fair by the end of the next month.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 Feb 1940 |title=Fair Expecting 46 Nations in Foreign Section: 32 Already Signed, Success Is Assured, Says Whalen Finns and Poles to Show |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1267892570}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=February 27, 1940 |title=Big Foreign Area Assured for Fair; 49 Exhibitors Due; 33 of Governments That Took Part in 1939 Have Accepted Bids, Whalen Discloses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/27/archives/big-foreign-area-assured-for-fair-49-exhibitors-due-33-of.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 25, 1940 |title=31 Nations Accept World's Fair Bid |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|515525230}}}}</ref> Several exhibits were also added, including a China pavilion<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1940 |title=Venezuela, Cuba Lost to 1940 Fair; Caracas Government Reverses Decision to Stay—Pavilion May Be Shipped Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/04/archives/venezuela-cuba-lost-to-1940-fair-caracas-government-reverses.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and a European center.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bracker |first=Milton |date=July 11, 1940 |title=European Center New Fair Feature; International Unit, Largest Bazaar on Grounds, to Be Opened Saturday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/11/archives/european-center-new-fair-feature-international-unit-largest-bazaar.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Conversely, 11 nations—several of which had been invaded during World War II—did not return,<ref name="p1264087284">{{cite news |date=May 2, 1940 |title=Fair Will Have 45 Exhibitors In Foreign Area: League and Pan American Union Included Europe Is Sending War Displays |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1264087284}}}}</ref> and nine U.S. states also withdrew.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 May 1940 |title=Many Changes Greet Visitors to Court of States: 9 of 1939 Exhibits Gone, but Throngs Return to 12 Remaining in Area |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=32 |id={{ProQuest|1242959026}}}}</ref> Most commercial exhibitors agreed to reopen their exhibits, and some planned to enlarge or modify their exhibits.<ref name="p1243147272" /><ref>{{cite news |date=14 Nov 1939 |title=New York Fair Of '40 Assured Of Big Displays |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|515586776}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 14, 1939 |title=15 Big Exhibitors Sign for 1940 Fair; the World's Fair Gets Off to a Flying Start for the 1940 Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/11/14/archives/15-big-exhibitors-sign-for-1940-fair-the-worlds-fair-gets-off-to-a.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Almost all major exhibitors with their own pavilions renewed their leases for the 1940 season, while most of the exhibitors who had withdrawn were more likely to be renting space from the WFC.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 13, 1940 |title=Fair Confident Big Exhibitors Will All Return: 95% of Those Having Own Buildings Already Signed; New Play Area Planned |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1242911542}}}}</ref> The commission also signed agreements with several trade unions to avert strikes and disputes;<ref>{{cite news |date=10 Feb 1940 |title=Fair Signs Pact To Bar Strikes Of Electricians: Agreement Provides Board of Arbitration to Settle Disputes With Local 3 Signing Pact to Avert Strikes at the Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1242989044}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=February 10, 1940 |title=Fair Electricians Rule Out Strikes; 'Labor Peace' Program Yields Pact With Union Pledging Arbitration of Disputes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/10/archives/fair-electricians-rule-out-strikes-labor-peace-program-yields-pact.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> there was a brief strike in April 1940, while the fairground was preparing to reopen.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 Apr 1940 |title=Trucking Strike At Fair Settled In Compromise: Union Permitted to Organize Chauffeurs, Won't Oppose City Garbage Collections |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1320021861}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 27, 1940 |title=Strike at Fair Off; Deliveries Resume; Mayor Effects a Compromise With Teamsters—City to Limit Its Truck Period |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/27/archives/strike-at-fairoff-deliveries-resume-mayor-effects-a-compromise-with.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
The fair was rebranded as the ''World's Fair 1940 in New York'' for its second season.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |date=9 Mar 1940 |title=Now It's World's Fair 1940 in New York |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1335119437}}}}</ref> The WFC decided to focus more heavily on amusement attractions,<ref name="p280741436">{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Jerry |date=April 23, 1989 |title=N.Y.'s 1939 World's Fair: A Look Then at World We're Living in Now |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=2 |id={{ProQuest|280741436}}}}</ref> and it added theaters and free shows.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 Feb 1940 |title=Fair Planning Three Arenas For Jitterbugs: Merrie England to Go Collegiate, Old New York to Become Old New Orleans |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1243086631}}}}</ref><ref name="p515558146" /> The Amusement Area was reduced in size<ref>{{cite news |date=8 Dec 1939 |title=Fair Planning Fun Center No One Can Miss: Midway Theme Scrapped; Smaller but Brighter Is Motif;' Chute Jump to Move |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|1320022702}}}}</ref> and rebranded as the "]", a reference to ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=March 9, 1940 |title='Great White Way' New Fair Feature; Center of Fun in Amusement Zone to Be Brighter, More Colorful, Gibson Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/09/archives/great-white-way-new-fair-feature-center-of-fun-in-amusement-zone-to.html |access-date=August 16, 2022 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref name="p1335119347">{{cite news |date=March 9, 1940 |title=Flanigan Says Exhibits at Fair Will Surpass '39: Announces New Attractions and Improvements Upon Displays and Buildings |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13A |id={{ProQuest|1335119347}}}}</ref> The transportation zone was renovated for more than $2 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Compere |first=Thomas |date=5 May 1940 |title=Transportation Area at the Fair Gets $2,000,000 'Face Lifting' |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A1 |id={{ProQuest|1243155648}}}}</ref> Several exhibits were added or expanded,<ref name="p1335119347" /><ref>{{cite news |date=13 May 1940 |title=Major Industrial Exhibitors of 1939 Back This Year With Added Features: Their Shows Brought Up to Date in Line With Rapid Scientific Developments |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|131255344}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Britten |first=Dudley |date=March 3, 1940 |title=World's Fair Yawn's and Stirs; Shrouded Flushing Meadows, Preparing for Opening on May 11, Is Alive With Odd Rumors, Mysteries and Some Workmen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/03/archives/worlds-fair-yawns-and-stirs-shrouded-flushing-meadows-preparing-for.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and some pavilions were repaired due to deterioration.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 1940 |title=Boy Scouts to Aid at the Fair Again; Will Maintain Own Service Camp on Two-Acre Plot at the Exposition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/13/archives/boy-scouts-to-aid-at-the-fair-again-will-maintain-own-service-camp.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Twenty thousand hotel rooms were added in New York City prior to the 1940 season,<ref name="p515558146" /> and La Guardia promoted low-cost hotel rooms to fairgoers.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 Mar 1940 |title=Mayor Assures Fair Visitors of $1–$1.50 Rooms: Promises Accommodations for 600,000 Daily, 'Just as Cheaply as al Home' |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1320056262}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=March 16, 1940 |title=Bargain Rates for Fair Pledged; La Guardia and Hotel Men Promise That Visitors Will Be Housed Cheaply |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/16/archives/bargain-rates-for-fair-pledged-la-guardia-and-hotel-men-promise.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Low-cost eateries were also added.<ref name="p515558146">{{cite news |last=Le Tour |first=M. |date=April 19, 1940 |title=New York World's Fair Soon to Reopen: Greenery in 'The World of Tomorrow' |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|515558146}}}}</ref><ref name="NYT 1940 x765">{{cite web |date=March 1, 1940 |title=1940 Fair Stresses Low-cost Menus; 80 Restaurants, Cafeterias, Snack Bars to Serve Meals 'for Every Pocketbook' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/01/archives/1940-fair-stresses-lowcost-menus-80-restaurants-cafeterias-snack.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The fair's construction superintendent estimated that the upgrades would cost $8 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 Mar 1940 |title=$8,000,000 Being Spent on Fair; 3,000 Work on Improvements: Exposition Allots $3,000,000 to Construction and Alteration, Exhibitors $5,000,000; Lighting in Amusement Area To Be 'Ten Times' Brighter |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1259052517}}}}</ref> The WFC began selling one million souvenir ticket books on April 11, 1940,<ref>{{cite news |date=11 Apr 1940 |title=Mayor Will Buy First Tickets For Fair Today: Advance Sale of Family Books for $2.50 Beginning Throughout Country |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=25 |id={{ProQuest|1243058843}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 11, 1940 |title=U.S. Exhibit at Fair to Stress Housing; Separate New Display in Home Center Building to Be Ready for Opening May 11 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/11/archives/us-exhibit-at-fair-to-stress-housing-separate-new-display-in-home.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the next week, it began selling discounted tickets to students across the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 Apr 1940 |title=School Tickets To Fair Go on Sale Thursday: Ten-Admission Book To Be Sold to Children for $1, Junior Season Pass$3.50 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1258265560}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 18, 1940 |title=Nation's Students Get Fair Bargain; Country-Wide Sale Announced --Reduced-Rate Tickets to Be Available Here Tuesday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/18/archives/nations-students-get-fair-bargain-countrywide-sale-announced.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> By the end of April, all of the attractions in the Amusement Area had been leased,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 1940 |title=Fair Amusement Zone Sold Out, 90 Concessions on Its New List: Director Reports All Space Taken; Area Will Offer 3 Major Shows, 18 Smaller Ones and 15 Rides Among Other Attractions |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1266874326}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 29, 1940 |title=Play Zone at Fair is '100% Sold Out'; Revitalized Great White Way Offers Livelier and Gayer Section Than Last Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/29/archives/play-zone-at-fair-is-100-sold-out-revitalized-great-white-way.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and half a million advance tickets had been sold or ordered.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 Apr 1940 |title=Advance Sales Of Fair Tickets Ahead of 1939: Million Family Books Are Half Sold; Out-of-Town Orders Increased 15% |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1254975041}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 30, 1940 |title=Lively Ticket Sale Heartens the Fair; Advance Buying Far Ahead of 1939—New Plumbing Pact Expected to End Trouble |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/30/archives/lively-ticket-sale-heartens-the-fair-advance-buying-far-ahead-of.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
=== 1940 season === | |||
Originally, the second season was supposed to open on May 25, 1940, and be one month shorter than the first season.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 Oct 1939 |title=World Fair '40, Month Shorter, To Open May 25: Mardi Gras Next Week Will Climax '39 Season With 'Big Blaze,' Gibson Says |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1252349608}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 18, 1939 |title=Fair to Shorten Its Season in 1940; Will Open on May 25 and Close on Oct. 27, or 29 Fewer Days Than This Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/10/18/archives/fair-to-shorten-its-season-in-1940-will-open-on-may-25-and-close-on.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> WFC officials claimed that the late opening date would coincide with warmer weather and the end of the school year. Following requests from organizations, the WFC agreed to open the fair two weeks earlier.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 Dec 1939 |title=Fair Advances 1940 Opening Date to May 11: Gibson Announces Change From May 25 to Favor Delegates to Conventions World's Fair Welcomes 1940 a Few Weeks in Advance |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=18A |id={{ProQuest|1258409544}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=December 7, 1939 |title=World Fair Opening Date Is Advanced to May 11 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/12/07/archives/world-fair-opening-date-is-advanced-to-may-11.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The fair's police force was downsized for the 1940 season due to low crime rates,<ref>{{cite news |date=30 Apr 1940 |title=Fair Will Have Police Force of 300 This Year: Decrease of 200 Laid to Record of Few Crimes and Accidents in 1939 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1254967669}}}}</ref> and the overall number of staff was reduced to 5,500.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 May 1940 |title=Fair Will Place 2,500 at Work Before May 11: All Jobs Are Now Filled; Stall for Opening Set at 5,500, Majority Rehired |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|1255390776}}}}</ref> According to Gibson, at least 40 million visitors needed to attend during 1940 for the WFC to break even.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 Apr 1940 |title=World's Fair Bonds |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=8 |id={{ProQuest|131265797}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 30, 1940 |title=40,000,000 Attendance at 1940 Fair Needed To Pay Bondholders in Full, Gibson Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/30/archives/40000000-attendance-at-1940-fair-needed-to-pay-bondholders-in-full.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="p515258672">{{cite news |last=Nichols |first=Herbert B. |date=10 May 1940 |title=New York Fair Goes 'Folksy' in Second Year Bid for Popular Acclaim |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=8 |id={{ProQuest|515258672}}}}</ref> In contrast to the more formal atmosphere that had characterized the first season, the second season had a more informal, "folksy" atmosphere.<ref name="p515258672" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=May 19, 1940 |title=Folksy World's Fair Off to a Good Start; 1940 Edition Shows Many Contrasts, With 1939 Formality Abandoned, But Old Favorites Carry On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/19/archives/folksy-worlds-fair-off-to-a-good-start-1940-edition-shows-many.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Additionally, the international area included exhibits from 43 countries, plus the ] and ].<ref name="p1264087284" /> Adults paid 50 cents, while children paid 25 cents;<ref name="p515558146" /><ref name="p1253151121">{{cite news |date=10 May 1940 |title=Facts About the World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1253151121}}}}</ref> children's admission was reduced to 10 cents on "Children's Days".<ref name="p515558146" /> To entice people to attend the fair, several local business groups and hotels randomly gave 170 automobiles to visitors.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 27, 1940 |title=Auto Is Offered As Daily Prize To Fair Visitors: N. Y. Hotels and Business Organizations Sponsors of 'Golden Key' Contest |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9A |id={{ProQuest|1320021240}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 27, 1940 |title=Fair to Give Away 170 Cars, One Daily; Biggest Crowd-Luring Device So Far to Use Millions of Keys as Prize 'Tickets' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/27/archives/fair-to-give-away-170-cars-one-daily-biggest-crowdluring-device-so.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
The World's Fair reopened on May 11<ref>{{cite news |date=May 12, 1940 |title=Rush to the Fair Taxes All City's Traffic Systems: Subways and L. I. Road Tag 5,175 Through in 1st 10 Minutes Parking Lots Busy Snip and the World's Fair of 40 Is Officially Open |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=31 |id={{ProQuest|1242959008}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=May 12, 1940 |title='40 Fair Gets Off to Lively Start; 191,196 on Hand; The World's Fair of 1940 Opens, Dedicated to Peace and Freedom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/12/archives/40-fair-gets-off-to-lively-start-191196-on-hand-the-worlds-fair-of.html |access-date=July 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and recorded 191,196 visitors on that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rice |first1=William |last2=Cornish |first2=Dick |date=1940-05-19 |title=Fair Throng Hears Ickes Draft F.D.R. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fair-throng-hears-ickes-draft/156012167/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |work=Daily News |pages=306 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Russell B. |date=May 12, 1940 |title='40 Fair Gets Off to Lively Start; 191,196 on Hand; The World's Fair of 1940 Opens, Dedicated to Peace and Freedom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/12/archives/40-fair-gets-off-to-lively-start-191196-on-hand-the-worlds-fair-of.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The reopening ceremonies were broadcast on radio stations across the U.S.,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 15, 1940 |title=Opening of World's Fair In New York on May 11 Widely Covered by Radio |magazine=Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising |page=56 |volume=18 |issue=10 |id={{ProQuest|1014938182}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=May 5, 1940 |title=Radio Will Carry Opening Ceremony; Saturday's Events at the Fair Also Will Be Televised |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/05/archives/radio-will-carry-opening-ceremony-saturdays-events-at-the-fair-also.html |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and La Guardia sponsored a citywide celebration for the fair's reopening.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 29, 1940 |title=City Celebration Will Usher in Fair; Mayor Calls on 300 Business Leaders to Help Plan Event --Dress-Up Drive Mapped |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/29/archives/city-celebration-will-usher-in-fair-mayor-calls-on-300-business.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In the first few weeks of the 1940 season, the WFC sold off most of its outstanding debt from the previous season.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 May 1940 |title=New York World's Fair 16-Days' Loss $10,631: Gibson Say's Results Satisfactory Considering Weather $650,000 of1939 Bills Liquidated |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|131254649}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=29 May 1940 |title=Gibson Reveals Fair's Healthy Fiscal Position: $800,000 in Bank, Loss in Period of Bad Weather $10,163 Best Days Ahead |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|131254649}}}}</ref> By the end of June, the WFC wished to reorganize itself and pare its workforce due to lower-than-expected revenue;<ref>{{cite web |last=Bird |first=Robert S. |date=June 29, 1940 |title=Shake-up of Staff is Planned by Fair; Reduction in Personnel Not 'Wave of Economy,' Only Good Business, Gibson Asserts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/29/archives/shakeup-of-staff-is-planned-by-fair-reduction-in-personnel-not-wave.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> as such, 500 employees were dismissed.<ref name="n156015638">{{Cite news |date=1940-07-04 |title=Fair Drops 200, to Ease Strain of Slow Gate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fair-drops-200-to-ease-strai/156015638/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |work=Daily News |pages=20 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Bracker |first=Milton |date=July 4, 1940 |title=Turnstiles at Fair Click Record Tune; 'Supergirl and Superboy' at the Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/04/archives/turnstiles-at-fair-click-record-tune-supergirl-and-superboy-at-the.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, due to an increase in federal tax rates, amusement concessionaires increased the ticket prices for their rides.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bracker |first=Milton |date=July 1, 1940 |title=Tax Rise Affects Fair's Play Zone; Levy Will Not Be Retroactive on Advance Sale of Tickets With Concession Rights |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/01/archives/tax-rise-affects-fairs-play-zone-levy-will-not-be-retroactive-on.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The fair's restaurateurs generally absorbed the losses from the higher taxes instead of raising food prices.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 2, 1940 |title=Most Bars at Fair to Absorb Tax Rise; Increase Generally Considered Too Small to Pass On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/02/archives/most-bars-at-fair-to-absorb-tax-rise-increase-generally-considered.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> On July 4, 1940, two NYPD officers investigating a time bomb at the British Pavilion died when the bomb detonated;<ref>{{cite news |date=5 July 1940 |title=Bomb At World's Fair Kills Two, Five Hurt: Policemen Slain Removing Device |work=The Hartford Courant |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|559343541}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=July 5, 1940 |title=Police Die in Blast – Timed Device Explodes After It Is Taken Out of Pavilion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/05/archives/police-die-in-blast-timed-device-explodes-after-it-is-taken-out-of.html |access-date=September 6, 2020 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the bombing was never solved,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pollak |first=Michael |date=August 3, 2008 |title=Death at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/nyregion/thecity/03fyi.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and visitors were largely unaware that it had even occurred.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 5, 1940 |title=Crowd Unaware of Bomb Tragedy; Noise of the Explosion Taken as More of Fireworks That Had Been Heard All Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/05/archives/crowd-unaware-of-bomb-tragedy-noise-of-the-explosion-taken-as-more.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Following the bombing, security outside European countries' pavilions was increased.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bird |first=Robert S. |date=July 6, 1940 |title=Guarded Pavilions Visited by Crowds; 260 Police at Fair Begin Strict Vigil at Centers of Britain, France and Italy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/07/06/archives/guarded-pavilions-visited-by-crowds-260-police-at-fair-begin-strict.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Later the same month, the WFC began surveying the fair's buildings, with plans to demolish them.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 Jul 1940 |title=Officials at Fair Begin a Survey For Demolition: Urge Exhibitors to Speed Contracts for Removal; Find Many Are Signed |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |id={{ProQuest|1255129646}}}}</ref> | |||
At the midpoint of the season, in August 1940, the WFC had to postpone paying a ] to its bondholders.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 Aug 1940 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Not Able to Pay Proposed Dividend |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|515339383}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=31 Jul 1940 |title=Fair in 21 Days Nets $259,834 In Spite of Heat: 2,495,036 Fewer Visitors hut Profits Still Rise; Bond Payment Deferred New Jersey's Governor Takes Part in Fair Program Honoring His State |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1257837212}}}}</ref> In large part due to inclement weather, some concessionaires considered closing their attractions,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bird |first=Robert S. |date=August 10, 1940 |title=Boom in Play Zone Heartens the Fair; Concessionnaires Hope to Do Better in Closing Months Than in All 1939 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/10/archives/boom-in-play-zone-heartens-the-fair-concessionnaires-hope-to-do.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the fair had recorded nearly 3 million fewer visitors during the 1940 season compared with the equivalent time period in 1939.<ref name="Bird z428">{{cite web |last=Bird |first=Robert S. |date=August 3, 1940 |title=Fair Starts Drive at Half-way Mark; Middle of Final Season Will Be Reached Tomorrow—Huge Poster Campaign Under Way |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/03/archives/fair-starts-drive-at-halfway-mark-middle-of-final-season-will-be.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The WFC planned to distribute posters advertising the fair,<ref name="Bird z428" /><ref>{{cite news |date=27 Jul 1940 |title=Fair Campaign For Attendance Begins Tonight: 20,000 Promotion Posters Will Be Put on Display on Transportation Lines Herald Tribune Map-Guide to the World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=26 |id={{ProQuest|1259581273}}}}</ref> and bondholders agreed to waive $14.5 million of the WFC's debt.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 30, 1939 |title=World's Fair Debenture Holders Agree to Waive Payments Under New Fiscal Plan |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1319968323}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 30, 1939 |title=Bondholders Back Fair's Fiscal Plan; 54% Waive Rights to Profits, and Proposal Goes Into Effect Immediately |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/30/archives/bondholders-back-fairs-fiscal-plan-54-waive-rights-to-profits-and.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC also began selling off materials and memorabilia from the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bracker |first=Milton |date=August 1, 1940 |title=Fair's Equipment Put on Sales Block; Wealth of Unusual Material Cost $2,000,000 and Took 4 Years to Assemble |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/01/archives/fairs-equipment-put-on-sales-block-wealth-of-unusual-material-cost.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Daily attendance increased gradually, and the fair recorded the ten-millionth visitor of the season at the end of August.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 26, 1940 |title=1940 Fair Exceeds Ten Million Mark; Cool Day Draws Third Biggest Throng for a Sunday This Year Despite Clouds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/26/archives/1940-fair-exceeds-ten-million-mark-cool-day-draws-third-biggest.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> By then, Gibson said the fair had made over $2.5 million in profit, despite Moses's claim that the fair was about to go bankrupt.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 7, 1940 |title=$2,565,665 Profit Reported by Fair; Gibson Cites Figure to Refute Charge of Moses, Who Still Contends It Is 'Busted' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/09/07/archives/2565665-profit-reported-by-fair-gibson-cites-figure-to-refute.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The WFC had drawn up detailed plans for clearing the site by the beginning of October,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1940 |title=Mall at the Fair to Remain in Park; Esplanade From Theme Center to the Court of Peace Will Not Be Demolished |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/04/archives/mall-at-the-fair-to-remain-in-park-esplanade-from-theme-center-to.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the corporation's executive leadership agreed to oversee the site-clearing process.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Sep 14, 1940 |title=World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Exec Branch in Charge of Teardown Job |magazine=The Billboard |pages=31, 61 |volume=52 |issue=37 |id={{ProQuest|1032238544}}}}</ref> | |||
To promote the fair, hundreds of American newspapers printed discounted tickets that could be redeemed on October 6;<ref>{{cite news |date=4 Oct 1940 |title=Fair's Newspaper Day To Offer Ticket Bargain: Clippings to Entitle Holder to $1.50 Value Sunday |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1260785193}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 5, 1940 |title=Bargain Ticket Offered; Special Program for Newspaper Day at Fair Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/05/archives/bargain-ticket-offered-special-program-for-newspaper-day-at-fair.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> the promotion attracted nearly 350,000 visitors on that day.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 7, 1940 |title=Cut-rate Tickets Jump Fair Crowds; a Sellout at a World's Fair Parking Lot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/07/archives/cutrate-tickets-jump-fair-crowds-a-sellout-at-a-worlds-fair-parking.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The city government also provided free tickets to adults who were receiving welfare payments through the ] program.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 Oct 1940 |title=Adults on Relief To Ride Free to Fair, Get In Free: Subway and Gale Tickets Will Go to 246,500 on City Rolls Next Week |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1320026228}}}}</ref> By the middle of that month, the fair's second season had recorded a $4.15 million net profit.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 Oct 1940 |title=Fair Has Profit Of $4,150,792 On Operations: Sets Aside SI, 635, 651 To Be Paid to Bondholders After Exposition Closes |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=27 |id={{ProQuest|1261249892}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 9, 1940 |title=Fair is Operating at $4,150,792 Gain; Gibson Says Trustees Hold Additional $1,635,651 to Retire Debentures |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/09/archives/fair-is-operating-at-4150792-gain-gibson-says-trustees-hold.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In the fair's last week, the WFC hosted extravagant shows such as fireworks displays.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 Oct 1940 |title=Fair Will Shut Gates Forever Next Sunday: Arranges 'Blaze of Old Glory Week to Crown World's Greatest Show Will Offer Biggest Fireworks Exhibit Trims Admission Costs; Razing Begins Oct. 28; Financial Picture Dark |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A1 |id={{ProQuest|1247314716}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 19, 1940 |title=Fair is Preparing a 'Week of Glory'; Series of Dazzling Events to Mark Its Final Days, With All Boroughs Taking Part |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/19/archives/fair-is-preparing-a-week-of-glory-series-of-dazzling-events-to-mark.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The fair had 537,952 visitors on its final day, October 27, 1940.<ref name="p1320064105">{{cite news |date=October 28, 1940 |title=New York Fair Ends in Glory: Record Attendance of 537,952 Reported During Closing Day |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=A |id={{ProQuest|165220065}}}}; {{Cite news |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=October 28, 1940 |title=Rush as Fair Ends Brings Out 537,952, Its Biggest Crowd; Farewell to the Fair: Closing Scenes at the End of a Two-Year Run |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/28/archives/rush-as-fair-ends-brings-out-537952-its-biggest-crowd-farewell-to.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The day afterward, passersby were allowed to tour the grounds for $2.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 Oct 1940 |title=Fair Closing Tonight; Best Saturday Ever |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1243057250}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=October 27, 1940 |title=Fair Closes Today on Festival Note; Grounds to Be Open Tomorrow to Visitors for $2 Fee—Big Throng Hears Willkie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/27/archives/fair-closes-today-on-festival-note-grounds-to-be-open-tomorrow-to.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In total, the fair had recorded 19,115,713 million visitors during 1940; even accounting for the second season's shorter duration, it had fewer daily visitors on average than in 1939.<ref name="p13200805912" /><ref name="p1032227139" /> During the 1940 season, attendance had exceeded 100,000 on only 59 days.<ref name="p1032227139" /> The fair had attracted just over 45 million visitors across both seasons.<ref name="p1320064105" />{{sfn|Wood|2004|page=8}} The 1940 season also recorded little crime, with 96 arrests and one violent crime (the July 4 bombing).<ref name="NYT 1940 w933">{{cite web |date=October 28, 1940 |title=High Standard Shown in Fair Police Record; No Discourtesy Charges Ever Made by Exhibit Visitors |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/28/archives/high-standard-shown-in-fair-police-record-no-discourtesy-charges.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" caption="1939 World's Fair ephemera"> | |||
File:1939-40 World's Fair, New York ticket (front).jpg|This 1940 general admission ticket also included visits to "5 concessions" (listed on backside) | |||
File:Back of 1940 New York Worlds Fair Ticket.jpg|Ticket backside | |||
File:US 853.jpg|Trylon and Perisphere on 1939 US stamp | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Fairground== | |||
] | |||
The fairground was divided into seven geographic or thematic zones, five of which had "focal exhibits", and there were two focal exhibits housed in their own buildings.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=46–47}}<ref name="p1247102690" /> The plan called for wide tree-lined pathways converging on the ], the fair's symbol and primary theme center.<ref name="NYTimes-QnsPkRising-1936" /><ref name="Stern (1987) p. 730" /> The Trylon and Perisphere were the only structures on the fairground that were painted completely white;<ref name="nyt-1938-07-10">{{Cite news |last=Conklin |first=William R. |date=July 10, 1938 |title=New Sights at Fair; Visitors Now See, in Rising Structures, the Suggestions of Beauty That Is to Be Color Effects Police Are Guides Exhibition Buildings The Theme Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/10/archives/new-sights-at-fair-visitors-now-see-in-rising-structures-the.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the buildings in the surrounding zones were ].<ref name="nyt-1938-05-01" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Bletter |first=Rosemarie Haag |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xpvSQ4w78IUC |title=Remembering the Future: The New York World's Fair from 1939–1964 |author2=Queens Museum |publisher=Rizzoli |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-8478-1122-9 |page=2}}</ref> The fairground had {{Convert|34|mi}} of sidewalks and {{Convert|17|mi}} of roads, in addition to dozens of miles of sewers, water mains, gas mains, and electrical ducts.<ref name="nyt-1938-07-10" /> About 850 phone booths were scattered across the fairground.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 7, 1940 |title=Fair's Phone Booth Fans, Too Popular in '39, Gone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/07/archives/fairs-phone-booth-fans-too-popular-in-39-gone.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> There were 11 entrances to the grounds during the 1939 season<ref name="p1796267678" /><ref name="p1247102690" /> and 13 entrances during the 1940 season.<ref name="p1253151121" /> | |||
=== Landscape features === | |||
From the start, Moses wanted to convert the site into a park after the fair,<ref>{{cite web |date=May 15, 1939 |title=Moses Visualizes Park After Fair; How World's Fair Site Will Look After It is Turned Into Huge Public Park |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/15/archives/moses-visualizes-park-after-fair-how-worlds-fair-site-will-look.html |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the fairground's landscape architect, ], had designed the fairground with this expectation in mind.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 730">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|page=730}}</ref> The central portion of the old Flushing ash dumps became the main fairground, while the southern section of the dumps became the narrow Amusement Area, located on the shore of Meadow (Fountain) Lake.<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 730" /> The fairground used up to {{convert|400000|yd3}} of ] from the New York City area, as well as salty, acidic soil dredged from the bottom of Flushing Meadows Park's lagoons.<ref name="Patterson p. 87" /> The fairground included {{Convert|250|acre}} of lawns and a wide range of ] and ] trees.<ref>{{harvnb|Patterson|1939|ps=.|pages=87–88}}</ref> Around 10,000 trees were transplanted to the fairground,<ref name="Patterson p. 87" /><ref>{{cite news |date=February 25, 1937 |title=500 Large Trees Due This Spring On Site of Fair: Corporation Opens Bids for Moving, Replanting Job to Cost $100,000 55-Foot Elms on List Specimens Within 100 Miles Are Catalogued for Site |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=12 |id={{ProQuest|1222252601}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 25, 1937 |title=10,000 Live Trees Sought for Fair; Vast Forest to Be Transported to Barren Flushing Site Within Next 2 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/02/25/archives/10000-live-trees-sought-for-fair-vast-forest-to-be-transported-to.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> of which more than 97 percent survived the 1939 season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=J. W. |date=October 20, 1939 |title=World's Fair Already at Work On Its Floral Displays for 1940 |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1258523692}}}}</ref> There were no ] trees because it was not open during the winter, and the site also did not have rare plants.<ref>{{harvnb|Patterson|1939|ps=.|page=88}}</ref> | |||
The fairground contained 1 million plants, 1 million bulbs, 250,000 shrubs, and 10,000 trees.<ref name="p1247102690" /> The site had 7,000 American ]s, 48,000 ]s, and 50,000 ], and there were several formal gardens as well, with roses, yew, and other plants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=John W. |date=March 27, 1938 |title=Flowers at World's Fair; Although Opening Date Is Far Off, Trees, Shrubs and Bulbs Are Being Planted Gift From the Netherlands To Accent Building Colors Material for Formal Gardens |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/27/archives/flowers-at-worlds-fair-although-opening-date-is-far-off-trees.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, the Netherlands donated a million tulip bulbs to the fair,<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=J. W. |date=May 14, 1939 |title=Million Tulips in Fair Rainbow |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A18 |id={{ProQuest|1243152807}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 25, 1939 |title=Tulips in Fair Gardens Burst Into Bloom in Time |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/25/archives/tulips-in-fair-gardens-burst-into-bloom-in-time.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref name="p151216843">{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=Alice |date=March 26, 1939 |title=A Woman's New York: Gardens and Flowers Abound at World's Fair Landscaping Expenditures Amount to $150,000 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|151216843}}}}</ref> though the tulips were destroyed and replaced with other plantings the month after the 1939 season opened.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1939 |title=Holland Tulip Bulbs at Fair Being Burned; As Plants Are Taken Up They Are Replaced by Other Plants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/26/archives/holland-tulip-bulbs-at-fair-being-burned-as-plants-are-taken-up.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' estimated that the WFC spent some {{US$|150000|1939|round=-3|long=no}} on plants at the fair.<ref name="p151216843" /> There were also around 50 landscaped gardens.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Kathleen |date=May 3, 1939 |title=50 Gardens Lure Throngs at Fair; Gardens on Parade in the Horticultural Exhibition at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/03/archives/50-gardens-lure-throngs-at-fair-gardens-on-parade-in-the.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Some of these fountains included water features such as fountains, pools, and brooks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Greeves-Carpenter |first=C.F. |date=July 30, 1939 |title=Use of Water at World's Fair Holds Hints for Gardeners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/30/archives/use-of-water-at-worlds-fair-holds-hints-for-gardeners-design-for.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> For the 1940 season, ] and trees were added instead of the tulips,<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=J. W. |date=20 Oct 1939 |title=World's Fair Already at Work On Its Floral Displays for 1940: Tulips, Ruled Out by Later Opening Date, Will Be Replaced by Other Types; Trees to Remain, a Monument to Transplanting Record |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1258523692}}}}</ref> and a woodland garden was added.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dustan |first=Alice L. |date=May 26, 1940 |title=A Restful Woodland Garden Created for the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/26/archives/a-restful-woodland-garden-created-for-the-worlds-fair-a-wildwood.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
Despite the fair's futuristic theme, the fairground's layout—with streets radiating from the theme center—was heavily inspired by ].<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 730" /> Some streets in the fairground were named after notable Manhattan thoroughfares or American historical figures, while others were named based on their function.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 21, 1938 |title=World's Fair Uses Manhattan Street Names: But There Will Re a Main as Well as Broadway and Times Square; Also Plaza of Light and Peace Court |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=12 |id={{ProQuest|1244331675}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 21, 1938 |title=Fair Adopts Names of Noted Streets; Broadway and Petticoat Lane Among Those Representative of Old New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/06/21/archives/fair-adopts-names-of-noted-streets-broadway-and-petticoat-lane.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> A central ] called Constitution Mall was planned as part of the fairground,<ref name="p514938936">{{cite news |last=Deschin |first=Jacob |date=October 12, 1938 |title=It Won't Be Long Now: Today's Vision of Tomorrow, as Depicted in New York's World's Fair Promises Heaping Measure of Enlightenment and Diversion |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=WM8 |id={{ProQuest|514938936}}}}</ref> running between the Grand Central Parkway to the west and Lawrence Street in Flushing to the east.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1937 |title=Mile-long Mall Feature of Fair; $60,000,000 Central Walk in Flushing to Pass Lagoons, Statuary and Flower Beds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/12/archives/milelong-mall-feature-of-fair-60000000-central-walk-in-flushing-to.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> A curving road named Rainbow Avenue connected the color-coded zones, linking the paths that radiated from the theme center.<ref name="p1247102690" /><ref name="p514938936" /> At the eastern end of the mall was the Central Mall Lagoon, an {{convert|800|ft|m|-long|adj=mid}} elliptical lake with fountains.<ref name="nyt-1938-07-10" /><ref name="p514938936" /> In the southern half of the fairground, the ] was dredged to create Meadow and Willow lakes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Sarah |date=2006 |title=Flushing the Meadows – relaxing a post-World's Fair urban landscape |url=http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://iflaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IFLA_2006_Winners.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |publisher=] |page=3}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1938-07-10" /> Several of the fair's fountains had water jets with gas burners, which were illuminated by colored lights.<ref>{{harvnb|Whalen|1939|ps=.|page=27}}</ref> Nightly light shows, with music, took place at the Lagoon of Nations as well.<ref name="p515258672" /> | |||
===Pavilions and attractions{{Anchor|Attractions|Pavilions}}=== | |||
{{Main|1939 New York World's Fair pavilions and attractions}} | |||
Pavilions and attractions generally fell into one of three categories: exhibits sponsored by the WFC or private companies; government exhibits; and amusement attractions.<ref name="p514938936" /> The WFC subleased the land to exhibitors, charging different rates based on the sites' proximity to major paths.<ref name="p1240320660" /> There were 1,500 exhibitors on the fair's opening day, representing about 40 industries.<ref name="p1247102690" /> Because the fairground was built atop swampy land, many of the largest buildings had to be placed on steel-and-concrete decks, ], or ].<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 1936 |title=70 Feet of Mud Found Beneath World Fair Site: Floating Steel 'Saucers' Planned to Support Some of Projected Structures Huge Caissons Proposed Important Buildings Due to Rest on 'Bridge' Piers |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1222131162}}}}</ref><ref name="Whalen p. 29">{{harvnb|Whalen|1939|ps=.|page=29}}</ref> Thousands of ] timbers were driven into the ground to act as ] for the fair structures.<ref name="Whalen p. 29" />{{sfn|Steinberg|2015|p=219}} In addition to the pavilions and amusement rides, the fairground had a marina, as well as hundreds of fountains, toilets, and benches.<ref name="nyt-1938-05-01" /> | |||
The fair had about 375 buildings,{{Efn|Other sources give figures as low as 150<ref name="p1247324294" /> or 200 buildings.<ref name="p280741436" />}} of which 100 were developed by the WFC;<ref>{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|ps=.|page=731}}</ref> the commission reserved about {{Convert|500,000|ft2}} for its own structures.<ref name="p1032170337" /> The buildings included design features such as domes, spirals, buttresses, porticos, rotundas, tall pylons, and corkscrew-shaped ramps.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1938 |title=Bold and Streamlined Beauty for the Fair; The Buildings Reveal Strange, New Designs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/08/14/archives/bold-and-streamlined-beauty-for-the-fair-the-buildings-reveal.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref name="Hamlin p. 675">{{harvnb|Hamlin|1938|ps=.|page=675}}</ref> Many buildings' steel frames were bolted together so they could be easily disassembled.<ref name="nyt-1938-05-01" /><ref name="p1247324294">{{cite news |last=MacGregor |first=Donald |date=20 Oct 1940 |title=Taking the World's Fair Apart: the Last Visitor Walks Out. The Wreckers Stalk in-- to Turn a World of Fantasy Into a Playground for All Time |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=SM8 |id={{ProQuest|1247324294}}}}</ref> Most of the attractions were in the central exhibit area, covering {{Convert|390|acre}}.<ref name="p514781950" /><ref name="p1247102690" /> The pavilions were mostly illuminated by artificial light;<ref name="Hamlin p. 675" /><ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 3, 1937 |title=Whalen Describes New Lighting Developed For World's Fair |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=23–24 |volume=55 |issue=88 |id={{ProQuest|1699951135}}}}</ref> most of the illumination came from {{convert|30|mi}} of ] tubes, though some attractions used mercury lamps or fluorescent pylons.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 1939 |title=World's Fair Lights Turned On, Make Site a Dreamland of Color |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1244864830}}}}</ref> Additional pinwheel-shaped lights and 10,000 more lightbulbs were installed for the 1940 season.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 May 1940 |title=Fair Tries Out New Lighting; in Fog and Drizzle: 70 Pinwheel Units Brighten Amusement Area; City's Officials Tour Grounds World's Fair Lighting Tented for Operating Next. Week |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1247145058}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=May 3, 1940 |title=Fair Lights Dazzle Spectators at Preview; Brilliant Display Tests Reinforced System |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/03/archives/fair-lights-dazzle-spectators-at-preview-brilliant-display-tests.html |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
==== Zones ==== | |||
{{multiple image | |||
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The Trylon and Perisphere theme center was designed by ] and ];<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M39XAAAAYAAJ |title=House & Garden |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |year=1989 |volume=161 |page=36 }}</ref> the Trylon was a {{convert|610|ft|m|adj=on}} tower (originally designed to be 700 feet tall), while the Perisphere was a sphere {{Convert|180|ft}} across.<ref name="Harrison Cusker 1980 p. 79">{{cite book |last1=Harrison |first1=Helen A. |last2=Cusker |first2=Joseph P. |title=Dawn of a New Day: The New York World's Fair, 1939/40 |publisher=Queens Museum |year=1980 |isbn=978-0-9604514-0-1 |page=79}}</ref>{{Efn|The Trylon was originally designed to be {{convert|700|ft}} tall, and the Perisphere was originally supposed to be {{convert|200|ft}} in diameter.<ref name="Harrison Cusker 1980 p. 79" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1940 |title=Fair's Perisphere Stripped of Glory; Workman Start Tearing Down Huge Structure—Trylon to Be Taken Down Next |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/11/archives/fairs-perisphere-stripped-of-glory-workman-start-tearing-down-huge.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref>}} North of the theme center was the Communications and Business Systems Zone, which was centered on the Communications Building, a structure flanked by {{Convert|160|ft|m|-high|abbr=|adj=mid}} pylons.{{Sfn|Exposition Publications|1939|page=57}}{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=39}} | |||
The Community Interest Zone was located just east of the Communications & Business Systems Zone.{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=79}} The region's exhibits showcased several trades or industries that were popular among the public at the time, such as home furnishings, plumbing, contemporary art, cosmetics, gardens, the gas industry, fashion, jewelry, and religion.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=85–101}} | |||
The Government Zone was located at the east end of the fair, on the eastern bank of the ]. It contained a centrally located Court of Peace, a Lagoon of Nations, and a smaller Court of States.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=116–117}}<ref name="p514938936" /> The Hall of Nations consisted of eight buildings,<ref name="p514938936" /> which flanked the Court of Peace.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 8, 1938 |title=10,000 Will Join In World Fair's Armistice Day: LaGuardia and Whalen Will Dedicate Court of Peace on Friday; 62 Foreign Nations Will Take Part |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1244589212}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 8, 1938 |title=Double Ceremony at Fair on Friday; 15,000 to Observe Armistice Day and See the Court of Peace Dedicated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/11/08/archives/double-ceremony-at-fair-on-friday-15000-to-observe-armistice-day.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Countries could build their own pavilions, lease space in the Hall of Nations, or do both.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1937 |title=60 Nations Accept World's Fair Bids; League Is Included in Those Signing Contracts or Asking for Space Reservations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/20/archives/60-nations-accept-worlds-fair-bids-league-is-included-in-those.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Most of the U.S. state pavilions were located around the Court of States, which had a lagoon,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Markland |first=John |date=July 9, 1939 |title=Tour of the States at the World's Fair; Diversified American Scene, Its Beauties, Arts and Crafts, Awaits the Visitor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/09/archives/tour-of-the-states-at-the-worlds-fair-diversified-american-scene.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 27, 1939 |title=State Exhibits Take Visitor To Scenes of Home: Pennsylvania Exhibit Maine Tells Story |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|515092332}}}}</ref> and replicated notable buildings or architectural styles in each state.<ref name="p514938936" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 9, 1939 |title=Court of States is Being Advanced; South Carolina Reconsiders Tabled Plan to Take Part in Exhibition Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/09/archives/court-of-states-is-being-advanced-south-carolina-reconsiders-tabled.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
Southwest of the Government Zone was the Food Zone, composed of 13 buildings.{{Sfn|Exposition Publications|1939|page=90}} Its focal exhibit, Food No. 3, had four shafts representing wheat stalks.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=102–103}}{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=45}} | |||
The Production and Distribution Zone was dedicated to showcasing industries that specialized in manufacturing and distribution.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|page=175}}{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=87}} The focal exhibit was the Consumers Building (also the Consumer Interests Building),<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 29, 1937 |title=Financial News: Consumer Interests Bldg. For World's Fair |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=6 |volume=55 |issue=105 |id={{ProQuest|1653244943}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=November 28, 1937 |title=Fair to Show Buyers How to Stretch Dollars |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=35A |id={{ProQuest|1222274659}}}}</ref> an L-shaped structure illustrated with murals by ].{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=175–178}} Numerous individual companies hosted exhibitions in this region. There were also pavilions dedicated to generic industries, such as electrical products, industrial science, pharmaceuticals, metals, and men's apparel.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=176–195}} | |||
The Transportation Zone was located west of the Theme Center, across the Grand Central Parkway.{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=25}} It was connected to the rest of the fairground by two crossings known as the Bridge of Wheels and the Bridge of Wings.<ref name="p514938936" /> The focal exhibit of the Transportation Zone was a ] exhibit group.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=199–201}} The Transportation Zone also included large exhibits by companies such as ] and ], in addition to buildings for the aviation, railroad, and maritime industries.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 1, 1938 |title=The World's Fair Today: Facts And Figures |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=5, 31 |volume=56 |issue=22 |id={{ProQuest|1653752142}}}}</ref> | |||
The Amusement Area was located south of the World's Fair Boulevard, covering {{Convert|230|acre}}{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|page=49}}<ref name="p1257476186" /> or {{Convert|280|acre||abbr=}} on the east shore of Fountain Lake.<ref name="p514781950" /> This area was shaped like a horseshoe surrounding Meadow Lake,<ref name="p1257476186" /> and it lacked a traditional ]; instead, it was divided into more than a dozen themed zones.<ref name="n152184001" /><ref>{{cite news |date=December 6, 1937 |title=World's Fair Amusement Zone To Be Laid Out in 13 Sections |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|1222355795}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=December 6, 1937 |title=New York of Old Will Rise at Fair; Village Depicting the Life of Century Ago Will Be Part of Amusement Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/12/06/archives/new-york-of-old-will-rise-at-fair-village-depicting-the-life-of.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The Amusement Area contained numerous bars, restaurants, miniature villages, musical programs, dance floors, rides, and arcade attractions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair Votes To Undress Its Attractions: Nudity And Gayety To Be Stressed In Spending Of New $1,000,000 Appropriation |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|538442241}}}}</ref><ref name="p1257476186" /> Due to the popularity of nude or seminude performances at the ], similar shows were presented in the Amusement Area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair Votes To Undress Its Attractions: Nudity And Gayety To Be Stressed In Spending Of New $1,000,000 Appropriation |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|538442241}}}}</ref> | |||
==== Standalone exhibits and structures ==== | |||
There were two focal exhibits that were not located within any zone. The first was the Medical and Public Health Building on Constitution Mall and the Avenue of Patriots (immediately northeast of the Theme Center), which contained several halls dedicated to health.{{Sfn|Exposition Publications|1939|pages=132–133}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1937 |title=World Fair Group to Glorify Health; $1,000,000 Project Planned to Show Wonders of Body and Medicine's Aids |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/17/archives/world-fair-group-to-glorify-health-1000000-project-planned-to-show.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The other was the Science and Education Building, just north of the Medical and Public Health Building.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=196–197}} The administration building was at the western end of the fairground,<ref name="p1247045732" /> and there was also a ] bank branch.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1938 |title=State Banking Rulings; Manufacturers Trust to Open Branch at World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/24/archives/state-banking-rulings-manufacturers-trust-to-open-branch-at-worlds.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
=== Transportation === | |||
] station on the Flushing Line was rebuilt for the fair.<ref name="p1240588402a">{{cite news |date=January 9, 1938 |title=Work Is Begun On I. R.T. Station At World's Fair: Willets Point Structure in Flushing Being Rebuilt at Cost of $494.000 To Serve 40 Trains an Hr. $260,000 Signal System Is Planned for Expresses |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1240588402}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 9, 1938 |title=New I.R.T. Station for Fair Started; Willets Point Structure on Flushing Line to Be Rebuilt at Cost of $494,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/09/archives/new-irt-station-for-fair-started-willets-point-structure-on.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019231822/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/09/archives/new-irt-station-for-fair-started-willets-point-structure-on.html |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times }}</ref>]]Whalen predicted in late 1936 that these lines needed to be able to handle as many as 800,000 visitors per day, though he predicted an average of 250,000 daily visitors. As such, several public transit lines were built or upgraded to serve the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 1936 |title=Traffic Plans For World Fair Are Announced: Present Lines to Transport' 250,000 to 800,000 Daily Visitors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1248170581}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=October 26, 1936 |title=Fair Traffic Studied; Whalen Says Problem Equals That of a City Like Cleveland. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/26/archives/fair-traffic-studied-whalen-says-problem-equals-that-of-a-city-like.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> A special ] line, the ]'s (IND) ] was constructed;<ref>{{cite news |date=April 17, 1939 |title=B. M. T., I. R. T. Express Trains Start April 24: Subways Will Make Run to Willets Point Boulevard Station in 24 Minutes |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1254731448}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=April 17, 1939 |title=New Subway Spur Is Ready to Open: First Train to Start Four Minutes Before the Fair Officially Begins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/17/archives/new-subway-spur-is-ready-to-open-first-train-to-start-four-minutes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930164826/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1939/04/17/91568218.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |access-date=July 7, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> it operated as a spur of the ]<ref>{{cite news |date=January 15, 1937 |title=City Subway Spur to the Fair Urged: Delaney and Fullen Jointly Propose Extension From Queens Boulevard. Cost Put At $1,200,000 Enlargement of Willets Point I. R. T.-B. M. T. Station Also Is Recommended. Expenses Are Estimated Two Tracks Are Provided |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/15/archives/city-subway-spur-to-the-fair-urged-delaney-and-fullen-jointly.html |access-date=July 6, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and was dismantled after the fair ended.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 1940 |title=City Subway Line to Fair Closes at 5 A.M. Today |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/28/archives/city-subway-line-to-fair-closes-at-5-am-today.html |access-date=July 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The ] station on the ] was rebuilt to handle fair traffic on the ] (IRT) and ] (BMT) systems.<ref name="NYSun-INDWorldsFair-Feb19392">{{cite news |date=February 18, 1939 |title=Ride to Fair to Cost 10 Cents: City to Set Rate for Independent Branch Line to Cover Expense of Building It |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201939%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201939%2520-%25201620.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2Fde44a7dab3a5cdcb3dc94bd10f844586#page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013181213/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%2018%2FNew%20York%20NY%20Sun%2FNew%20York%20NY%20Sun%201939%2FNew%20York%20NY%20Sun%201939%20-%201620.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2Fde44a7dab3a5cdcb3dc94bd10f844586#page=1 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |access-date=July 31, 2016 |work=] |page=21 |via=]}}</ref><ref name="p1240588402a" /> A special fleet of 50 ] subway cars were built,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 3, 1938 |title=I. R. T. Will Buy 50 New Cars for Express to Fair: Bids Asked on Equipment for Special Service on Line Running to Flushing |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1243080430}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 3, 1938 |title=50 New Subway Cars to Be Added for Fair; I. R. T. Asks Bids for Equipment for Service From Times Square and Grand Central |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/03/archives/50-new-subway-cars-to-be-added-for-fair-i-r-t-asks-bids-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019231823/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/03/archives/50-new-subway-cars-to-be-added-for-fair-i-r-t-asks-bids-for.html |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the existing ] subway cars were rebuilt to provide additional service on the Flushing Line.<ref>{{cite book |author=Electric Railroaders Association |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oJUjAQAAMAAJ |title=ERA Headlights |publisher=Electric Railroaders Association. |year=1969 |page=6 |issue=v. 31, no. 1 – v. 38, no. 1}}</ref> A ] station (now ]) was built next to the Flushing Line station.<ref name="NYSun-INDWorldsFair-Feb19392" /> In addition, ] bought 55 buses to serve passengers heading to the fairground,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 3, 1937 |title=Buses for World's Fair |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|129839745}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=March 3, 1937 |title=Buys 55 Buses for Fair; Queens-Nassau Lines to Replace Jamaica-Flushing Trolleys |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/03/03/archives/buys-55-buses-for-fair-queensnassau-lines-to-replace.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and a ] service traveled to the fair from ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 8, 1939 |title=Service to World's Fair; City Island Arranges Express Transportation for Yachtsmen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/01/08/archives/service-to-worlds-fair-city-island-arranges-express-transportation.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
There were also several modes of transit traveling around the fairground itself.<ref name="p1244862453a" /><ref name="nyt-1939-04-30" /> General Motors manufactured 100 buses specifically for the fair;<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1938 |title=Huge Buses to Run at World's Fair; Greyhound Intramural System to Operate 100 of the Largest Ever Built |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/20/archives/huge-buses-to-run-at-worlds-fair-greyhound-intramural-system-to.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Exposition Greyhound Lines operated the buses, which connected with each of the fairground's entrances.<ref name="p1244862453a">{{cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=Buses to Cover 10-Mile Route Within Grounds: Tractor Trains and Chair 'Taxis' Also Will Carry Visitors Over 1,216 Acres |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=34 |id={{ProQuest|1244862453}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1939-04-30">{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=How to Get Around the Fair; Pick-up Buses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/30/archives/how-to-get-around-the-fair-pickup-buses.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The original plan called for two bus routes, though this was expanded to seven routes soon after the fair opened.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 14, 1939 |title=Fair Postpones Formal Start of Its Play Area: Fete Set for Next Saturday; Attendance Holds Up in Face of All-Day Drizzle Ireland's Pavilion Officially Opened After Dedication |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=24 |id={{ProQuest|1243118184}}}}</ref> There were also tractor trains that traveled along the fairground's paths, as well as tour buses that gave one-hour-long tours of the fair. In addition, visitors could rent one of 500 rolling chairs, each of which had space for one or two people.<ref name="p1244862453a" /><ref name="nyt-1939-04-30" /> Boats also traveled around Fountain Lake (now Meadow Lake), stopping at seven piers.<ref name="nyt-1939-04-30" /> For a fee, visitors could ride a 40-passenger motorboat across Meadow Lake to the Florida pavilion.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 13, 1939 |title=Fine Weather Increases Crowd; Children Parade on Special Day |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1319982825}}}}</ref> | |||
Several highway and road improvements were conducted in advance of the World's Fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1937 |title=$31,000,000 Road Building Under Way for Fair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-31000000-road-building-und/152138223/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=Daily News |pages=705}}</ref> These included the completion of ],<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 19, 1937 |title=New Fair Highway Opened to Traffic; Horace Harding Boulevard, Vital Entrance to the Exposition, Ready for 2-Mile Stretch |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/19/archives/new-fair-highway-opened-to-traffic-horace-harding-boulevard-vital.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the opening of the ] and ],<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1939 |title=Whitestone Span to Open Saturday; Mayor and Other City Officials Will Attend Exercises at Bronx End of Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/27/archives/whitestone-span-to-open-saturday-mayor-and-other-city-officials.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> the extension of ],<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 1935 |title=Fair Parkway Bids of $1,000,000 Filed; Estimates Provide for Grading and Paving of the Grand Central Extension. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/11/10/archives/fair-parkway-bids-of-1000000-filed-estimates-provide-for-grading.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the widening of Queens Boulevard.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morrow |first=C. Earl |date=March 22, 1936 |title=World's Fair Spurs Queens Boulevard Plan: Civic Groups Combine to Press Completion of Borough's Traffic Project Artery to the Exposition New Sections Paved and Landscaping Work Starts |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=B6 |id={{ProQuest|1330424776}}}}</ref> Markers were placed at intersections throughout the city to direct motorists to the fairground,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Markland |first=John |date=January 1, 1939 |title=Making Fair Accessible; Many Steps Are Taken to Smooth the Path of Summer Visitors |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/01/01/archives/making-fair-accessible-many-steps-are-taken-to-smooth-the-path-of.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and several highways to the fairground were outfitted with amber lights.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 7, 1939 |title=Amber Globes on City Highways Will Light Way to World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1244893835}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 7, 1939 |title=Amber Road Lights Will Lead to Fair; 3,500 Special Globes Will Be Set Up Along Ninety Miles of Arterial Highways |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/02/07/archives/amber-road-lights-will-lead-to-fair-3500-special-globes-will-be-set.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Maps also touted the fairground's proximity to five airports and seaplane bases.<ref name="p1248455293">{{cite news |date=July 25, 1937 |title=Map for World's Fair Shows Ring of Airports: Five Terminals and Seaplane Bases Are Near Exposition |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=22A |id={{ProQuest|1248455293}}}}</ref>{{efn|Namely ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="p1248455293" />}} During the fair, the ] temporarily banned most planes from flying over the fairground, except for planes taking off or arriving at the nearby airports.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 26, 1939 |title=World's Fair Area Is Barred to Planes by Aeronautics Authority to Promote Safety |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1244877009}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 26, 1939 |title=Flying Over World Fair Banned by Air Authority |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/26/archives/flying-over-world-fair-banned-by-air-authority.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
== Culture == | |||
=== Themes and icons{{Anchor|Themes}} === | |||
The fair was themed to "the world of tomorrow".<ref name="p128793649" /><ref name="p1240271438" /> The colors blue and orange, the official colors of New York City, were chosen as the official colors of the fair.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/galleries/new-york-city/item/5591 |title=World's Fair Hat Design |publisher=The New York Public Library |access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> The fair's official seal depicted the ] with her torch, which was available in multiple color scheme.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 31, 1936 |title=Goddess of Liberty Design Is Chosen for '39 Fair Seal: Like Statue, Holding Torch; Engineers Insist Site's Foundations Are Safe |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=38 |id={{ProQuest|1240474110}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 30, 1936 |title=World Fair Adopts Seal of Liberty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-world-fair-adopts-seal-of-li/152067102/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=18}}</ref> The fair's official flag was originally a ] with a blue bar flanked by orange bars; there was a white seal in the center of the blue bar.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 5, 1937 |title='39 World's Fair Flag Dedicated; Colors Flown by Early Settlers: Orange, White and Blue Emblem Recalls Standard That Waved Over Homes of New Amsterdam; Mrs. Astor, Aldrich to Pick 10,000 Aids |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|1222210826}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 5, 1937 |title=Truck Driver Buys $100 Share in Fair; Whalen Sells Bond to Employe at Ceremony as Symbol of Wide Public Support. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/01/05/archives/truck-driver-buys-100-share-in-fair-whalen-sells-bond-to-employe-at.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
Another theme of the fair was the emerging new ]. The ] produced the film '']'', which depicted a fictional Midwestern family, the Middletons, taking in the fair.{{sfn|Wood|2004|page=95}}<ref>{{cite magazine |date=4 Oct 1939 |title=Film Reviews: Middleton Family at The N. Y. World's Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=47 |volume=136 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|1476011805}}}}</ref> The Perisphere's Democracity exhibition envisioned middle-class "Pleasantvilles" arranged around a central hub.<ref name="Goldberger 1980 c337" /> | |||
=== Arts === | |||
==== Music ==== | |||
The WFC established a music advisory committee for the fair in 1937, which was led by the conductor ].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 4, 1937 |title=Musical Plans For World Fair Are Confirmed; Full Committee Is Listed by Whalen; Mrs. Astor and Marshall Field Included |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=15 |id={{ProQuest|1250042230}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 4, 1937 |title=Music Plans Made for World's Fair; Allen Wardwell Heads Large Committee of Musicians and Music Patrons |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/04/archives/music-plans-made-for-worlds-fair-allen-wardwell-heads-large.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The music advisory committee proposed hosting a festival at the fairground and other places in New York City.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 27, 1937 |title=Music Festival Is Planned for '39 World Fair: Auditorium on Grounds Proposed by Committee for Artists of All Nations |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1A |id={{ProQuest|1318088972}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Downes |first=Olin |date=June 27, 1937 |title=Plans for the Fair in 1939; a Mozart Rondo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/27/archives/plans-for-the-fair-in-1939-a-mozart-rondo.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> About 500 groups signed up to perform at the fair,<ref name="NYT 1940 z750">{{cite web |date=June 30, 1940 |title=Making Music at the World's Fair; Bands, Choruses and Recorded Music Are Among Offerings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/30/archives/making-music-at-the-worlds-fair-bands-choruses-and-recorded-music.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and music festivals also took place at ] and the ] in Manhattan.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 27, 1938 |title=New York Fair Plans Festival Of Opera, Symphony and Ballet |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514777456}}}}</ref> ''New York Times'' music critic ] was the fair's music director;<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 1938 |title=Olin Downes to Direct World's Fair's Music |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1242874761}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 19, 1938 |title=Olin Downes, Critic, Heads World's Fair Music Plans |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|182006335}}}}</ref> he selected ] to organize recitals and concerts at the Temple of Religion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McAll |first=Reginald L. |date=February 1, 1939 |title=Great Church Music Program at Exposition |url=https://www.thediapason.com/sites/thediapason/files/193902TheDiapason.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=] |volume=30 |issue=3 |page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221054604/https://www.thediapason.com/sites/thediapason/files/193902TheDiapason.pdf |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=November 4, 2022}}</ref> ] led the World's Fair band, which was composed of 56 musicians,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 24, 1940 |title=Fair Band to Enter Radio, Concert Work; La Barre Group to Play Also at Willkie Rally Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/24/archives/fair-band-to-enter-radio-concert-work-la-barre-group-to-play-also.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the WFC held a competition to select three songs for the band to perform.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 16, 1939 |title=World's Fair Opens Contest For Composers: Seeks Three Works for the Band; Musicians of All Countries Eligible |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=E6 |id={{ProQuest|1243117672}}}}</ref> Unlike in the 1939 season, the fair had no organized music program during 1940. Instead, the fair's orchestra played songs on request during 1940; on an average day, they received more than 1,200 requests and played over 200 songs.<ref name="NYT 1940 z750" /> | |||
Several theme songs were written for the fair, none of which caught on.<ref name="p1475961670">{{cite magazine |date=Aug 16, 1939 |title=Music-Dance-Bands: No World Fair Song Hit, Yet |magazine=Variety |pages=33 |volume=135 |issue=10 |id={{ProQuest|1475961670}}}}</ref> ] recorded the song "Rising Tide",<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1938 |title=Theme Song For World's Fair Written By Negro Composer |work=Philadelphia Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|531503663}}}}</ref>{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=18}} a three-minute tune that was played continuously during the 1939 season.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=William H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KbjOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA184 |title=Music of the World War II Era |last2=Young |first2=Nancy K. |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-313-08427-0 |series=American History through Music |page=184 |access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> "Dawn of a New Day", one of ]'s final songs, was also recorded for the fair.<ref name="p1475961670" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 10, 1938 |title=World's Fair Theme Song To Be Recorded By Duke Ellington |work=The Pittsburgh Courier |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|202039322}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 24, 1938 |title=World Fair March is Gershwin Tune; ' Dawn of a New Day, Among Last of the Composer's Works, Adopted -as Anthem Song a "Fortunate Accident" |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/24/archives/world-fair-march-is-gershwin-tune-dawn-of-a-new-day-among-last-of.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> La Barre's "For Peace and Freedom" was selected as the 1940 season's theme song.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 3, 1940 |title=Fair's Theme Song Has Its Premiere; 'For Peace and Freedom' Sung at Mayor's Luncheon-- Written by LaBarre |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/03/archives/fairs-theme-song-has-its-premiere-for-peace-and-freedom-sung-at.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
==== Films and stage shows ==== | |||
The fair hosted eight musical shows during the 1939 season and seven musicals during 1940.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pihodna |first=Joseph |date=14 Apr 1940 |title=The Playbill: Three New Musicals Planned for Spring Season, Which Will Make Seven Musicals in All, When World's Fair Re-opens |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=E1 |id={{ProQuest|1243026384}}}}</ref> For instance, ] staged his ] musical,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 2, 1938 |title=Billy Rose Plans Extravaganza At World's Fair: $500,000 Production, With 1,000 in Cast, to Employ Modern American Theme in Five Showings Daily |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=4 |id={{ProQuest|1257833449}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=Brooks |date=May 5, 1939 |title=The Play; Billy Rose's Aquacade Opens With a Splash in the Lake at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/05/archives/the-play-billy-roses-aquacade-opens-with-a-splash-in-the-lake-at.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the fair had a musical pageant called the American Jubilee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 1940 |title=Jubilee and Aquacade Open With Big Audiences |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/12/archives/jubilee-and-aquacade-open-with-big-audiences.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, '']'' estimated that 500 movies would be screened at the fair;<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=Mar 20, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair Shapes Up As Great Plug For Films |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |page=6 |volume=50 |issue=40 |id={{ProQuest|2297933672}}}}</ref> ultimately, exhibitors screened 612 films during the first season.<ref name="Wasson p. 92">{{harvnb|Wasson|2012|ps=.|page=92}}</ref> The fair had 34 auditoriums during the 1939 season, which were operated by 19 nations' governments, in addition to industrial exhibitors and city-government agencies.<ref name="Wasson p. 92" /> During the 1940 season, the fairground had 30 movie-theater auditoriums with an estimated 6,200 seats.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Weisberg |first=Leonard |date=May 11, 1940 |title=52,000 Amusement Seats at New York Fair; 6,200 House Films Shown Without Charge |magazine=Boxoffice |pages=4, 26 |volume=36 |issue=25 |id={{ProQuest|1505787270}}}}</ref> The fair showcased not only ]s but also non-theatrical motion pictures, including both ]s and ]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 25, 1940 |title=Non-Theatrical Films: Non-Theatrical Films Splurge At the New York World's Fair; Both Silent and Sound Are Used |magazine=The Billboard |page=27 |volume=52 |issue=21 |id={{ProQuest|1032214779}}}}</ref> These motion pictures were all shot on ] and ].<ref name="Wasson p. 92" /><ref name=":0" /> | |||
==== Visual art and sculpture ==== | |||
] and his assistants working on one such mural.]] | |||
From the outset, the fairground was planned to include decorations,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1937 |title=Color and Murals Figure in Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/15/archives/color-and-murals-figure-in-fair.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> particularly large murals, sculptures, and ]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Hamlin|1938|ps=.|pages=678–679}}</ref> Initially, however, there were no plans to exhibit contemporary art at the fair.<ref name="p1243712934" /><ref name="p151070539">{{cite news |last=Graeme |first=Alice |date=March 27, 1938 |title=World's 'Fair's' Snub to Artists Sets Off Debate: New York Show Scored for Omitting to Plan an Exhibition |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=TT4 |id={{ProQuest|151070539}}}}</ref> After observers criticized the fair's lack of formal art galleries, Whalen agreed to include a community art center,<ref name="p1243712934">{{cite news |date=January 31, 1938 |title=Whalen Reveals Art Center Plan At World's Fair: Studio Displays, to Present Stages in Production of Works, Are Proposed |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9 |id={{ProQuest|1243712934}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 31, 1938 |title=1939 Fair to Take Art 'Off Olympus'; Painting and Sculpture to Be Blended in Surroundings for All to See, Says Whalen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/31/archives/1939-fair-to-take-art-off-olympus-painting-and-sculpture-to-be.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and the WFC also held art competitions for muralists and sculptors.<ref name="p151070539" /> Eight hundred contemporary American artworks from the ] were exhibited at the fair during 1939,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 30, 1938 |title=World Fair Art To Be Picked at Regional Shows: 800 Contemporary Works To Be Chosen at Displays Covering Entire Nation; Artists Limited to One |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1244650647}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=August 15, 1938 |title=Fair to Display All Types of Art; Every Artist in Nation Is Invited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/08/15/archives/fair-to-display-all-types-of-art-every-artist-in-nation-is-invited.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and a rotating display of American art was showcased in 1940.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graeme |first=Alice |date=21 Jul 1940 |title=Art Exhibit at World's Fair to Be Rotated: More Stimulating Display Assured Visitors This Year |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=D7 |id={{ProQuest|151262997}}}}</ref> At the Masterpieces of Art building were hundreds of rare paintings;<ref>{{cite news |date=April 22, 1939 |title=World's Fair Announces List of Art Works To Be Shown in $30,000,000 Exhibition: Rare Paintings Of 7 Centuries Will Be on View |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1255114857}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Linn |first=Thomas C. |date=June 5, 1939 |title=Rare Paintings Put on Display in a Ceremony at the World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/05/archives/rare-paintings-put-on-display-in-a-ceremony-at-the-worlds-fair-art.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> during the 1940 season, even more paintings were shown.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 10, 1940 |title=Fair Exhibition to Get More Master Paintings: Works by Rembrandt, Hals and Velasquez Assured |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|1253183292}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 10, 1940 |title=More Paintings Lent for Fair's Art Show; Works by Rembrandt, Hals and El Greco Among Them |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/10/archives/more-paintings-lent-for-fairs-art-show-works-by-rembrandt-hals-and.html |access-date=August 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC bought some of the fair's artwork and distributed it across the U.S. after the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 Jan 1940 |title=Fair Purchases And Distributes 31 Works of Art: Museums and Galleries in 18 States to Get Items of Contemporary Exhibit World's Fair Buys Art for Distribution to U. S. Galleries |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1242973429}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=January 28, 1940 |title=Fair Buys 31 Works for Art Museums; Paintings, Sculptured Pieces and Prints Distributed Throughout Nation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/28/archives/fair-buys-31-works-for-art-museums-paintings-sculptured-pieces-and.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In addition, foreign governments sponsored exhibits of sculptures and visual art in their respective pavilions.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2, 1939 |title=Foreign Countries to Exhibit National Art at Fair Pavilions: Contemporary And Old Works Will Be Shown |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=30 |id={{ProQuest|1287069685}}}}</ref> | |||
Whalen, who was determined that the fair should "not represent the work of any one person or school", employed 181 visual artists, designers, and architects.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 17, 1937 |title=181 Artists Join To Give N.Y. Fair Variety in Design |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|514423887}}}}</ref> Many of the buildings' facades were decorated with murals, commissioned by both the WFC and individual exhibitors<ref>{{cite news |date=April 20, 1939 |title=Outdoor Mural System Ready At World's Fair: Colorful Spectacle of Man's History Is Unfolded as Scaffolding Comes Down |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21A |id={{ProQuest|1255079016}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1938-09-11">{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1938 |title=Murals for Fair Mark New Epoch; Exterior Decorating Program Planned to Give New Note to American Architecture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/09/11/archives/murals-for-fair-mark-new-epoch-exterior-decorating-program-planned.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> in about 100 colors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hardesty |first=Lynn |date=December 25, 1938 |title=World's Fair Uses Dramatic Color Effects: Previews of New York Exhibit Buildings Amaze Art Critics |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=R1 |id={{ProQuest|150964786}}}}</ref> There were about 105 murals at the fair,<ref name="p280741436" /> which measured as large as {{convert|250|by|60|ft}}. The murals were executed in a variety of materials, such as metal strips, mosaic tiles, and paint. The WFC's board of design approved murals based on how well they harmonized with the surrounding buildings; for example, murals near the theme center were designed in muted colors, while murals on modern-style buildings were more colorful.<ref name="nyt-1938-09-11" /> Although artists could design murals even if they were not part of a labor union, only union members could paint the actual murals.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 19, 1938 |title=Union Warns Mural Painters At World's Fair: Artists Are Told They Must Join Local Before They Can Start Work; They Plan to Turn Down Offer |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1254086461}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 17, 1938 |title=Peril to Art Seen in Row With Union; Guild of Mural Painters Holds A. F. L. Group Endangers Work at World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/07/17/archives/peril-to-art-seen-in-row-with-union-guild-of-mural-painters-holds-a.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' called it "the largest program of exterior mural painting ever undertaken",<ref name="nyt-1938-09-11" /> while the ''New York Herald Tribune'' said that "never before has mural decoration been attempted on so large or lively a scale".<ref name="nyt-1938-09-11" /> ] artists painted murals for the fair as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brenner |first=Anita |date=April 10, 1938 |title=American Creates American Murals; To Bid for the Favor of a New Mass Public |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/10/archives/american-creates-american-murals-to-bid-for-the-favor-of-a-new-mass.html |access-date=June 17, 2024 |work=The New York Times |pages=10–11, 18–19 }}</ref> ] oversaw the development of the murals and the fair's color-coding system.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Appleton Read |first=Helen |date=September 1, 1938 |title=Murals at the World's Fair... |magazine= Harper's Bazaar |pages=104–105, 129 |volume=71 |issue=2713 |id={{ProQuest|1871468222}}}}</ref> | |||
The fair also included 174 sculptures.<ref name="p280741436" /> The largest statue at the fair was ]'s {{Convert|65|ft|4=-tall|adj=mid}} sculpture of George Washington,<ref name="nyt-1938-12-11">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1938 |title=Fair Will Exhibit Heroic Statuary; More Than 60 Pieces to Adorn Various Buildings, Thoroughfares and Plazas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/12/11/archives/fair-will-exhibit-heroic-statuary-more-than-60-pieces-to-adorn.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> which stood in the middle of the fair's Constitution Mall.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitnick |first1=Barbara J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eLxsfeV43-wC&pg=PA49 |title=George Washington: American Symbol |last2=Ayres |first2=William S. |author3=Museums at Stony Brook |author4=Brandywine River Museum |publisher=Hudson Hills Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-1-55595-148-1 |page=49 |access-date=August 2, 2024}}</ref> The ''Times'' credited ]—who oversaw the installation of the fair's artwork—with describing the sculptures as "an essential part of the fair".<ref name="nyt-1938-12-11" /> Three of the sculptures were intended to be preserved after the fair: ]'s ''Textile'', ]'s ''The Tree of Life'', and ]'s ''Fountain of the Atom''.<ref name="nyt-1938-12-11" /> ''Textile'' depicted an abstract sheet-steel figure,<ref>{{harvnb|Wurts|Appelbaum|1977|ps=.|page=98}}</ref> ''The Tree of Life'' was carved out of a {{convert|60|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} elm tree,<ref>{{cite book |last=Tangerman |first=Elmer John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TbjAPdGoP0C&pg=PA136 |title=The Big Book of Whittling and Woodcarving |publisher=Dover Publications |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-486-26171-3 |page=136 |access-date=August 2, 2024}}</ref> and ''Fountain of the Atom'' consisted of small ceramic figures.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frelinghuysen |first1=Alice Cooney |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUxVEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA173 |title=Gifts from the Fire: American Ceramics, 1880–1950 |last2=Eidelberg |first2=Martin P. |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-58839-732-4 |page=173 |access-date=August 2, 2024}}</ref> Various temporary sculptures, many of which were made of plaster, were placed on buildings.<ref name="nyt-1938-12-11" /> | |||
=== Consumer products === | |||
], a keyboard-operated ], was demonstrated at the fair.]] | |||
The fair focused significantly on ]s that happened to include scientific innovations, rather than presenting scientific innovations in their own right.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kuznick |first=Peter |date=September 1994 |title=Losing the World of Tomorrow: The Battle over the Presentation of Science at the 1939 World's Fair |journal=American Quarterly |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=341–73 |doi=10.2307/2713269 |jstor=2713269}}</ref> Products shown at the fair included RCA televisions, a ] vehicle from 1940, and a ] organ manufactured by ],<ref name="Goldberger 1980 c337" /> along with ], ], and ].<ref name="p280741436" /> Other objects included ]'s painting '']'' from the ] in ],<ref>{{cite news |year=2009 |title=Vermeer's Masterpiece The Milkmaid |url=http://www.metmuseum.org/research/metpublications/The_Milkmaid_by_Johannes_Vermeer |access-date=September 23, 2009 |work=]}}</ref> a streamlined ],<ref name="Hiott j216">{{cite book |last=Hiott |first=Andrea |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TWePDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA18 |title=Thinking Small: The Long, Strange Trip of the Volkswagen Beetle |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-345-52142-2 |series=Ballantine Books |page=18 |access-date=September 20, 2024}}</ref> a ] (still in operation as the ] in ]<ref>{{cite web |last=Sietsema |first=Robert |date=April 15, 2015 |title=A Visit to Jersey City's White Mana, a Diner Relic of the 1939 World's Fair |url=https://ny.eater.com/2015/4/15/8413833/white-mana-jersey-city-sliders-burger-week |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Eater NY}}</ref>), a ],<ref name="Hiott j216" />{{sfn|Cotter|2009|page=25}} and the ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Herman |first=Arthur |title=Freedom's Forge |publisher=Random House Incorporated |publication-place=New York, NY |date=2012 |isbn=978-1-4000-6964-4 |pages=58–65}}</ref> In addition, older objects were displayed at the fair, such as a model of the world's first bicycle.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 Jun 1939 |title=London Exhibits 'First Bicycle' At World's Fair |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|515227360}}}}</ref> | |||
Electronics were showcased at the fair. The ] exhibit displayed the Radiotype writing machine, and ] displayed various types of machinery in a "television laboratory".<ref name="p1014928343" /> RCA and ] agreed to host television demonstrations at the World's Fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 18, 1937 |title=Contract Made For Television Station at Fair: Large-Scale Demonstration of New Radio Science To Be Offered for Visitors |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1248130206}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 19, 1937 |title=Television to Be Presented at Fair |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|129798234}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 18, 1937 |title=R. C. A. to Exhibit in Fair Building; Signs Contract to Build a 'Temple of Magic' to Show Developments in Radio |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/18/archives/r-c-a-to-exhibit-in-fair-building-signs-contract-to-build-a-temple.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> These TVs displayed several programs, including the first televised ] game; a program from ]-TV in ]; and performances of the play '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bragdon |first=E. L. |date=April 24, 1949 |title=Ten Years of TV; The Medium's Modern History Spans Time Since FDR Opened World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/24/archives/ten-years-of-tv-the-mediums-modern-history-spans-time-since-fdr.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> ]'s exhibit featured ] the Moto-Man, a robot that talked, differentiated colors, and smoked cigarettes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Nicholas |date=February 21, 2011 |title=Elektro the Moto-Man, One of the World's First Celebrity Robots |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/02/elektro-the-moto-man-one-of-the-worlds-first-celebrity-robots/71505/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=The Atlantic |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=September 28, 2018 |title=Elektro the Moto-Man Had the Biggest Brain at the 1939 World's Fair |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/elektro-the-motoman-had-the-biggest-brain-at-the-1939-worlds-fair |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=IEEE Spectrum}}</ref> ]' ], a keyboard-operated ], was demonstrated at the fair.<ref name="p280741436" />{{Sfn|Exposition Publications|1939|page=61}} Other futuristic exhibits included ]'s home of tomorrow, as well as the 15 homes in the Tomorrow Town exhibit.<ref name="p280741436" /> | |||
=== Food === | |||
For the 1939 season, there were at least 40 restaurants with a combined 23,000 seats, in addition to 261 refreshment stands.<ref name="nyt-1939-05-28" /> Cuisine from 24 participating countries was served at the fair.<ref name="p1247108615" /> These included ] in the Romanian and Polish pavilions; ], ], and ] from the Soviet pavilion; ]s from the French pavilion; ]s from the Swedish pavilion; and ]s and honey desserts from the Albanian pavilion.<ref name="p1247108615">{{cite news |date=April 27, 1939 |title=Fair Will Prove Promised Land For Gourmets: 24 Countries Will Serve Native Food and Drinks for Which They're Noted |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|1247108615}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1939-05-28">{{Cite news |last=Loeb |first=August |date=May 28, 1939 |title=Menus and Prices Vary Widely at Fair; Simple Refreshment Stands and De Luxe Foreign Restaurants Draw Crowds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/28/archives/menus-and-prices-vary-widely-at-fair-simple-refreshment-stands-and.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> A ''New York Times'' article from 1964 characterized ] as the 1939 fair's most popular soda.<ref name="nyt-1964-04-222">{{Cite news |last=Herzberg |first=Joseph G. |date=April 22, 1964 |title=Yesterday's World of Tomorrow; A Nostalgic Look at 1939 Extravaganza That Ended an Era; Gastronome Recalls the Lavish Feasts of Whalen's Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/yesterdays-world-of-tomorrow-a-nostalgic-look-at-1939-extravaganza.html |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC also awarded ] food concessions to companies such as ], ], and the Brass Rail.<ref name="nyt-1939-05-032" /> The concessions included 80 hot-dog stands,<ref name="p1505713328" /> in addition to 59 soda stalls, 38 root beer stands, and 25 popcorn stands.<ref name="p1337043993" /> | |||
The city government also appointed 36 inspectors to enforce ] at the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 24, 1939 |title=City to Protect Visitors' Health At Fair Grounds: 2,800 Workers Will Watch Food, Sanitation and Give First Aid in Emergencies |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1258190290}}}}</ref> During the fair's first season, there were complaints that the food was too expensive;<ref name="nyt-1939-05-18" /> one ''New York Times'' report found that restaurants were charging as much as {{US$|2.50|1939|long=no}} for '']'' meals.<ref name="nyt-1939-05-032">{{Cite news |date=May 3, 1939 |title=Food Price Trend High at Fair; A Few Restaurants Keep Cost Low; Places With Only a la Carte Menus Listing Dishes Up to $2.50--'Hot-Dog' Stands Boon to Average Workingman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/03/archives/food-price-trend-high-at-fair-a-few-restaurants-keep-cost-low.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> For the 1940 season, there were 70 restaurants and between 150 and 235 concession stands at the fair.<ref name="p1253151121" /><ref>{{cite news |date=April 30, 1940 |title=Fair Food Menu Is Designed to Fit All Purses: 150 Stands and 70 Restaurants oil Grounds Will Have Prices From 10c |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1255356860}}}}</ref> The WFC introduced regulations during the second season, restricting restaurateurs from drastically increasing food prices.<ref name="NYT 1940 x765" /> Throughout both seasons, the fair sold an estimated 16.2 million hot dogs, 8.3 million burgers, 5.1 million doughnuts, and 2.7 million cups of beer.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 28, 1940 |title=16,222,358 Hot Dogs Sold at the Fair, And Wait—172,800 Dozen Headache Pills |work=The New York Times |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|105396705}}}}</ref> | |||
=== Other events === | |||
Participating countries, U.S. states and territories, New York counties, businesses, and organizations were given special theme days at the fair, during which celebrations were held.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 26, 1939 |title=World Fair List Of Special Days Is Announced: Every State, Many Cities and New York Counties Are Included in Program |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|1257038742}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 26, 1939 |title=700 Events Listed for World's Fair; Pageants and Folk Festivals to Be Held—Programs to Welcome Statesmen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/01/26/archives/700-events-listed-for-worlds-fair-pageants-and-folk-festivals-to-be.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> A different button was issued for each theme day.{{sfn|Monaghan|1939|pages=215–219}} During the fair, there were fireworks displays on the lagoon, as well as colorful searchlights illuminating Meadow Lake.<ref name="p514938936" /> | |||
The fair coincided with the ],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Abbattista |first1=Guido |last2=Iannuzzi |first2=Giulia |date=2016 |title=World Expositions as Time Machines: Two Views of the Visual Construction of Time Between Anthropology and Futurama |url=http://worldhistoryconnected.press.uillinois.edu/13.3/forum_01_abbattista.html#_edn21 |journal=World History Connected |volume=13 |issue=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Franklin |first=H. Bruce |date=1982 |title=America as Science Fiction: 1939 (L'Amérique Comme Science-Fiction: 1939) |journal=Science Fiction Studies |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=38–50 |issn=0091-7729 |jstor=4239455}}</ref> which took place at the Caravan Hall in Manhattan on July 2–4, 1939.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pollak |first=Michael |date=April 2, 2006 |title=The Beyond-This-World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/nyregion/thecity/the-beyondthisworlds-fair.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> In addition, on July 3, 1940, the fair hosted "Superman Day",<ref name="n156015638" /><ref name="Weldon y718">{{cite book |last=Weldon |first=Glen |title=Superman: The Unauthorized Biography |publisher=Turner Publishing Company |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-118-48382-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eoHuEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT55 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |page=55}}</ref> which included an athletic contest and a public appearance by an actor portraying ].<ref name="Weldon y718" /> Broadway actor ], who served as a judge for the contest, is credited with having appeared in the Superman costume on Superman Day, but this is disputed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maslon |first1=L. |last2=Kantor |first2=M. |title=Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture |publisher=Crown |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-385-34859-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qizI5bdPpgYC&pg=RA1-PA1939 |access-date=July 25, 2024 |page=1-PA1939}}</ref> Sporting events throughout the New York City area were also planned in conjunction with the World's Fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 15, 1937 |title=1939 World Fair Activities Will Include Sports |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|514524168}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=March 19, 1939 |title=Leading Event in Many Sports Await Visitors to World's Fair; All-Star Baseball Contest and Louis-Galento Title Bout Are Listed—International Polo Series Another Feature |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/19/archives/leading-event-in-many-sports-await-visitors-to-worlds-fair-allstar.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the WFC sponsored a sports camp for boys during both seasons.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 Apr 1940 |title=World's Fair to Sponsor Boys' Sports Program |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=28 |id={{ProQuest|1258269917}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 18, 1940 |title=World's Fair Keeps Program of Sports; Baseball School, Other Events to Be Renewed This Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/18/archives/worlds-fair-keeps-program-of-sports-baseball-school-other-events-to.html |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
==Aftermath== | |||
===Site and structures=== | |||
] amphitheater, one of the few structures to remain after the fair]] | |||
{{Further|1939 New York World's Fair pavilions and attractions#Preserved pavilions and attractions}} | |||
Demolition began the day after the fair ended.<ref name="p1262386905">{{cite news |date=29 Oct 1940 |title=Fair Fades Into a Ghost Town; Dismantling Barely Dents Quiet |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1262386905}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 29, 1940 |title=Razing Under Way on Shell of Fair; Skeleton Staff Winds Up Its Affairs as Wreckers Get to Work in Earnest |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/29/archives/razing-under-way-on-shell-of-fair-skeleton-staff-winds-up-its.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Almost all structures had to be removed within 120 days of the fair's closure,<ref name="p1247324294" /><ref name="p515377595">{{cite news |last=Hallett |first=Robert M. |date=January 11, 1941 |title=The World's Fair's Legacy to Flushing: .. Park |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=WM5 |id={{ProQuest|515377595}}}}</ref> and the vast majority of structures were dismantled or moved shortly after the fair's final day.<ref name="p1247324294a">{{cite news |last=MacGregor |first=Donald |date=October 20, 1940 |title=Taking the World's Fair Apart: the Last Visitor Walks Out. The Wreckers Stalk in – to Turn a World of Fantasy Into a Playground for All Time |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=SM8 |id={{ProQuest|1247324294}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Loeb |first=August |date=October 27, 1940 |title=Fine Park From Fair; Flushing Meadow's New Play Area Will Be 'Second to None' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/27/archives/fine-park-from-fair-flushing-meadows-new-play-area-will-be-second.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073524/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/27/archives/fine-park-from-fair-flushing-meadows-new-play-area-will-be-second.html |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Valuable exhibits, artwork, and historic artifacts were relocated.<ref name="p1262386905" /> On October 29, hundreds of workers went on strike to protest the removal of equipment,<ref>{{cite news |date=30 Oct 1940 |title=Drivers' Strike Halts Removal Of Fair Exhibits: Gates Picketed to Protest Movement of Materials by W. P. A. and Park Men |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=21A |id={{ProQuest|1259753501}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 30, 1940 |title=Fair Strike Slows Exhibit Removal; Teamsters Union Protests on Bench and Shrub Removal by Park Department Men |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/30/archives/fair-strike-slows-exhibit-removal-teamsters-union-protests-on-bench.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> which delayed all work on the site.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 5, 1940 |title=All Work on Fair Blocked by Strike; General Walkout of A. F. L. Unions Engaged in Razing Will Begin Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/11/05/archives/all-work-on-fair-blocked-by-strike-general-walkout-of-a-f-l-unions.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The strike ended after ten days.<ref name="p1255576434">{{cite news |date=9 Nov 1940 |title=1,000 Resume Pre-Demolition Work at Fair: Art Displays Are Removed; Wrecking of 400 Buildings to Start Monday |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1255576434}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 8, 1940 |title=Fair's Strike Ends as Mayor Steps in; Ten-Day Stoppage of A.F.L. Groups Engaged In Razing Is Settled at Conference |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/11/08/archives/fairs-strike-ends-as-mayor-steps-in-tenday-stoppage-of-afl-groups.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Within a month of the fair's closure, many of the structures had been demolished, and workers were restoring the landscape.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 27, 1940 |title=Closed a Month, Fair Slips Back To Pristine Mud: Vestiges of Beauty Remain, but Swamp Is Emerging Again as Razing Proceeds |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1263331320}}}}</ref> Cables and other materials were removed and sold for scrap,<ref name="p1247324294" /><ref>{{cite news |date=3 Oct 1942 |title=Copper Buried At Fair Ground Will Be Dug Up: Park Department May Get 200 Tons of Metal From Cables Never Removed |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|1266857498}}}}</ref> and there were proposals to melt down the buildings' structural steel into scrap metal for the U.S. ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 Aug 1940 |title=World's Fair Scrap: Rise in Cost of Iron to Prove Beneficial Closing in October New York, June 25 |work=South China Morning Post |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1764481837}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Shalett |first=Sidney M. |date=August 19, 1940 |title=Use of Fair's Steel in Defense Likely; Demolition Will Provide Big Source of Metal for New Hangars and Factories |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/19/archives/use-of-fairs-steel-in-defense-likely-demolition-will-provide-big-so.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> During the fair's demolition, five men were killed when one of the buildings' ceilings collapsed.<ref name="p1263338699">{{cite news |date=5 Dec 1940 |title=Five Die at Fair As Ceiling Falls In Railroad Hall: Workmen Tearing Down the Rotunda Drop 50 Feet; Three Others Badly Hurt Rescue Workers Amid the Ruins of a World's Fair Roof |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1263338699}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=December 5, 1940 |title=5 Wreckers Killed in Building at Fair; 2 Others Hurt in 50-Foot Fall When False Ceiling of Rail Exhibit Collapses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/05/archives/5-wreckers-killed-in-building-at-fair-2-others-hurt-in-50foot-fall.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
Despite a citywide moratorium on new construction, La Guardia provided funding to convert the fairground into parkland,<ref>{{cite news |date=18 Sep 1940 |title=Moses Assured Of '41 Fund for Flushing Park: Mayor Says Capital Budget Will Include Money to Convert World Fair Site |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1259810181}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=September 18, 1940 |title=Moses Won't Halt Fair Park Plans; Says Mayor's Curb on New Projects Does Not Affect Flushing Improvement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/09/18/archives/moses-wont-halt-fair-park-plans-says-mayors-curb-on-new-projects.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> although only $750,000 was provided for this purpose.<ref name="p1263340467">{{cite news |date=5 Dec 1940 |title=Capital Budget For '41 Adopted At $84,585,044: Board of Estimate Votes $750,000 for Fair Park, $600,000 for Bus Tunnel |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1263340467}}}}</ref> Work on the park began in December 1940,<ref>{{cite web |date=December 28, 1940 |title=First Contract Bids on Flushing Park in; Low Offers for 4 Jobs on Old World's Fair Site Total $77,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/28/archives/first-contract-bids-on-flushing-park-in-low-offers-for-4-jobs-on.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and Flushing Meadows Park opened the next year.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 Jul 1941 |title=City Dedicates Rebuilt Pool of Old Aquacade: Mayor and Philharmonie on Amphitheater Program at Flushing Meadow Park |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1256427944}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=July 14, 1941 |title=Pool to Be Opened on Aquacade Site; State Amphitheatre Also Will Present Water Carnivals After Concert July 26 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/07/14/archives/pool-to-be-opened-on-aquacade-site-state-amphitheatre-also-will.html |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The park hosted the ], which began on April 22, 1964,<ref>{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=32}}.</ref> and ended on October 17, 1965;<ref>{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=83}}.</ref> the site again reverted to park use in 1967.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schumach |first=Murray |date=June 4, 1967 |title=Moses Gives City Fair Site as Park; Flushing Meadows in Queens Becomes the 2d Biggest Recreation Area Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407072907/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/06/04/archives/moses-gives-city-fair-site-as-park-flushing-meadows-in-queens.html |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The NYPD's Flushing Meadows precinct was disbanded in 1952,<ref>{{cite web |date=May 3, 1951 |title=2 Police Precincts Will Be Abolished; an Old Landmark Being Closed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/05/03/archives/2-police-precincts-will-be-abolished-an-old-landmark-being-closed.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> but the Queens traffic division (which had been established to manage traffic during the fair) continued until 1972.<ref>{{cite web |last=Prial |first=Frank J. |date=September 23, 1972 |title=Trend to Cuts in Traffic Patrols Seen in Closing of a Queens Unit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/23/archives/trend-to-cuts-in-traffic-patrols-seen-in-closing-of-a-queens-unit.html |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
Seven structures were preserved as part of the park.<ref name="p515377595" /><ref name="p1247324294a" />{{Efn|Namely the New York City Building, Aquacade amphitheater, B.F. Goodrich Pavilion, House of Jewels, Masterpieces of Art building, Japanese Pavilion, and Polish Pavilion's tower.<ref name="p515377595" /><ref name="p1247324294a" />}} By the 1960s, only two of the fair's original structures remained, the ] and the ] amphitheater,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zinsser |first=William K. |date=January 17, 1960 |title=A Walk Among World's Fair Ghosts; By 1964 a new World's Fair will rise, right where that other one awed and enchanted millions an age – or was it only twenty years? – ago. World's Fair Ghosts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/17/archives/a-walk-among-worlds-fair-ghosts-by-1964-a-new-worlds-fair-will-rise.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519214711/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/17/archives/a-walk-among-worlds-fair-ghosts-by-1964-a-new-worlds-fair-will-rise.html |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> though the Aquacade was torn down in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marzlock |first=Ron |date=March 22, 2012 |title=The Fair's Million-Dollar Aquacade |url=https://www.qchron.com/qboro/i_have_often_walked/the-fair-s-million-dollar-aquacade/article_185ee7eb-bb73-52f4-84a3-b537ebba079a.html |access-date=May 22, 2024 |website=Queens Chronicle}}</ref> The fair's esplanade, five bridges, and the ] were preserved as well,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 4, 1940 |title=Mall at the Fair to Remain in Park; Esplanade From Theme Center to the Court of Peace Will Not Be Demolished |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/04/archives/mall-at-the-fair-to-remain-in-park-esplanade-from-theme-center-to.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> but the fountains were demolished.<ref name="p1247324294" /> Many amusement rides were sold to ] at ];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ranson |first=Jo |date=August 4, 1940 |title=Shows to Migrate from Fair Midway to Coney in 1941 |page=6 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116054686/shows-to-migrate-from-fair-midway-to/ |access-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204090218/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116054686/shows-to-migrate-from-fair-midway-to/ |url-status=live}}</ref> the ] was sold and relocated to ], also in Coney Island.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=13 Jan 1965 |title=Where Are They Now? |magazine=Newsweek |pages=10 |volume=63 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1879112201}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Francis |first=Robert |date=April 26, 1941 |title=Coney Figures Itself in for an Old-Fashioned Summer With Plenty of Fun for Everyone |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33986956/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930001912/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/article/33986956/ |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2019 |work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=4 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Other buildings that were relocated included a structure from the fair's Town of Tomorrow exhibit,<ref>{{cite news |date=26 Jun 1955 |title=Plywood House is 16 Years Old: Building Transported From Queens to Jersey Farm Still in Good Shape |work=The New York Times |page=R1 |id={{ProQuest|113433350}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=1955-06-26 |title=World's Fair Exhibit House Still in Use |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-worlds/155118090/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Central New Jersey Home News |pages=22}}</ref> as well as the ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hylton |first1=Raymond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p9c8BQAAQBAJ&dq=Charles+Thaddeus+Russell+architect&pg=PA54 |title=Virginia Union University |date=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-2248-1 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |pages=52–54 |access-date=January 6, 2022}}</ref> Some of the buildings' glass bricks were salvaged and used elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 Sep 1941 |title=Salvaged Glass Blocks Replace Old Window Sash |work=Railway Engineering and Maintenance |page=607 |id={{ProQuest|896336708}}}}</ref> Furniture, equipment, and decorations were sold off.<ref name="p1247324294" /> There were suggestions to preserve additional buildings as a training military camp, but the ] had rejected the idea.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 Aug 1940 |title=Moses Brands Army Base Plan At Fair a Trick: Charges Attempt to Dodge Demolition Costs; Mayor Replies Defense Is First |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1255368596}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=August 26, 1940 |title=Army, Navy Spurn Fair as Camp Site, Ending Clash Here; Knox Discloses That Neither Branch of Service Wants It --Gibson and Moses in Row |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/08/26/archives/army-navy-spurn-fair-as-camp-site-ending-clash-here-knox-discloses.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
===Foreign exhibits and staff=== | |||
]Initially, the U.S. government had not imposed ] on foreign exhibits because it anticipated that the exhibits would be repatriated after the fair.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 14, 1940 |title=Treasury Interprets Fair Exhibit Ruling; Officials Get Instruction on Disposal of Foreign Goods |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/11/14/archives/treasury-interprets-fair-exhibit-ruling-officials-get-instruction.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Customs duties were imposed on exhibits that remained in the U.S. after the fair.<ref name="NYT 1941 n001" /> Afterward, the exhibits could be sent back to their home country, retained in the U.S., destroyed, or sold.<ref name="p1247324294" /><ref name="NYT 1941 n001" /> However, many nations could not send their exhibits back home due to World War II,<ref name="NYT 1941 n001">{{cite web |date=February 8, 1941 |title=Customs Problem at Fair 90% Solved; Clearing Out of Foreign Exhibits Keeps 40 Federal Agents Checking on Regulations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/02/08/archives/customs-problem-at-fair-90-solved-clearing-out-of-foreign-exhibits.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="p12430550972">{{cite news |last=Compere |first=Thomas |date=13 Oct 1940 |title=Fair Exhibits From Abroad Pose Problem: Disposal of $20,000,000 Displays Is Complicated by Hitler's Conquests |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A1 |id={{ProQuest|1243055097}}}}</ref> and President Roosevelt had temporarily frozen the assets of seven foreign exhibitors because their countries had been invaded.<ref name="p1264428384">{{cite news |date=13 Nov 1940 |title=Fair a Desolate Picture as Rain Halts All Work: Only Activity Is Auction of Furniture, and Few Chilly Customers Find Bargains |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1264428384}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 15, 1940 |title=Fair Removal Begun at Foreign Pavilions; New U.S. Ruling Permits Seven Nations to Speed Work |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/11/15/archives/fair-removal-begun-at-foreign-pavilions-new-us-ruling-permits-seven.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Many European pavilions' staff were also unable to return home due to the war;<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 4, 1966 |title=Restaurants: The King |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,898950,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114112649/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,898950,00.html |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |access-date=April 20, 2010 |magazine=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Franey |first=Pierre |date=October 18, 1989 |title=De Gustibus; Innocence Abroad: Memories of '39 Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/18/garden/de-gustibus-innocence-abroad-memories-of-39-fair.html |access-date=September 6, 2020 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' estimated that 350 foreign staffers could not easily return home,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 3, 1940 |title=Fair's Foreigners Face Crisis Oct. 27; 350 Attaches of Pavilions Must Return to War-Torn Homes or Win U.S. Stay |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/03/archives/fairs-foreigners-face-crisis-oct-27-350-attaches-of-pavilions-must.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> while the ''New York Herald Tribune'' put the number of affected employees at 400.<ref name="p13200926812" /> In response, U.S. representative ] introduced legislation in October 1940 to allow these workers to remain in the U.S.<ref name="p12430550972" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1940 |title=Bill Would Let Alien Employes at the Fair Stay in U.S. if War Bars Them From Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/08/archives/bill-would-let-alien-employes-at-the-fair-stay-in-us-if-war-bars.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
Several countries in ] donated or lent their World's Fair exhibits to institutions across the United States.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 6, 1940 |title=Nazi Victims Offer Fair's Riches to Us; Britain Also is Among Nations That Will Donate or Lend Treasures After Oct. 27 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/09/06/archives/nazi-victims-offer-fairs-riches-to-us-britain-also-is-among-nations.html |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Most of the Polish pavilion's items were sold by the ] to the ], except for the ]. which was reinstalled in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Quid Plura? | "Moja Droga, Ja Cię Kocham ..." |date=November 24, 2008 |url=http://www.quidplura.com/?p=307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715140535/http://www.quidplura.com/?p=307 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The British pavilion's copy of the Magna Carta remained in the U.S.,<ref name="p1325203253">{{cite news |date=7 Nov 1943 |title=World's Fair Foreign Accounts Totaling 15 Millions Balanced: World's Fair Railroad Exhibits That Still Await Their Fate |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A2 |id={{ProQuest|1325203253}}}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Green |first=Amanda |date=February 26, 2013 |title=5 non-gold treasures stored at Fort Knox |url=https://theweek.com/articles/467308/5-nongold-treasures-stored-fort-knox |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=theweek}}</ref> and a panel from that pavilion depicting George Washington's lineage was sent to the ].<ref>{{cite news |date=4 July 1941 |title=Library Receives Washington Panel, Britain's Gift |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|151376590}}}}</ref> In addition, some French artwork displayed at the fair was lent to the ] in Manhattan,<ref>{{cite news |last=Burrows |first=Carlyle |date=10 Aug 1941 |title=Two Loan Displays Of French Artists |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=E5 |id={{ProQuest|1263763665}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Linn |first=Thomas C. |date=August 10, 1941 |title=Louvre Works Ours for War; Metropolitan Museum to Be Custodian of Paintings—Art Sales in City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/08/10/archives/louvre-works-ours-for-war-metropolitan-museum-to-be-custodian-of.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and other artwork from that pavilion was displayed at the ].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 8, 1940 |title=French Art Put On View Today; World's Fair Exhibit With Additions to Be Shown by Riverside Museum |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/08/archives/french-art-put-on-view-today-worlds-fair-exhibit-with-additions-to.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Three French restaurants from the fair—La Caravelle, ], and ]—reopened in Manhattan.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sheraton |first=Mimi |date=December 17, 2007 |title=The Frog at Forty-five |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/12/24/the-frog-at-forty-five |access-date=July 25, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref> Objects from the Swedish, Turkish, and Canadian pavilions were also retained in New York City.<ref name="p13200926812">{{cite news |date=28 Oct 1940 |title=Orphan Nations At Fair Facing Vital Quandary: Foreign Area Musi Dispose of S20,000,000 Exhibits 400 Employees Stranded |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=9A |id={{ProQuest|1320092681}}}}</ref> | |||
The WFC also had to dispose of ] countries' exhibits. The U.S. government seized the ]' train display and melted it down for scrap,<ref>{{cite news |date=1 Oct 1942 |title=Italian Trains From World's Fair Are Seized by U. S. for Scrap |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|1267865594}}}}</ref> while it sold off binoculars from the Czechoslovak pavilion and wine from the Rumania pavilion to pay ].<ref name="p1325203253" /> There were several unsuccessful attempts to give away the Italian pavilion's ] monument,<ref>{{cite news |last=Crist |first=Judith |date=28 Dec 1954 |title=The Statue Nobody Wants Not Going to Lodi, Either |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=17 |id={{ProQuest|1322574480}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=March 27, 1955 |title=A Concrete Belle Breaks Both Legs; Prima Donna of World's Fair Falls in Hoboken on Eve of Modest Recognition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/03/27/archives/a-concrete-belle-breaks-both-legs-prima-donna-of-worlds-fair-falls.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and the Hungarian pavilion's statue of ] was not given away until 1956.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 1, 1956 |title=Rejected Statue Gets Haven Here; Figure of Hungary's Patron Saint Given to City—Reds Refused Its Return Statue Is Purchased |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/11/01/archives/rejected-statue-gets-haven-here-figure-of-hungarys-patron-saint.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
=== Profitability and dissolution of WFC === | |||
When the fair closed, the WFC initially predicted that the fair would recoup 38.4% of its cost<ref>{{cite news |date=October 23, 1940 |title=N.Y. Fair Bondholders to Get 38 P.C. Return on Investment: Exhibitors Satisfied Chase Bank Paid Back |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=21 |id={{ProQuest|515260177}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 23, 1940 |title=World Fair Bondholders to Receive Total of 38.4 Cents on the Dollar; Gibson Says That $5,056,800 Is Available for Redemption of Debentures—Season's Profit Is Put at $5,020,000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/23/archives/world-fair-bondholders-to-receive-total-of-384-cents-on-the-dollar.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> (later revised to 39.2%).<ref>{{cite news |date=31 Oct 1940 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Bondholders Get 39.2c on Dollar |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|515424976}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=October 31, 1940 |title=Fair Now to Pay 39.2c on Dollar; Estimated Return for 3,000 Investors Raised as Result of Last Week-End Business |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/31/archives/fair-now-to-pay-392c-on-dollar-estimated-return-for-3000-investors.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The WFC ultimately recovered only 32% of its original expenditure.<ref>{{Harvnb|ps=.|Samuel|2007|page=42}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=September 23, 1965 |title=World's Fair Plans for Closing Curtain: Pavilions to Move |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|510830485}}}}</ref> Despite the fair's overall unprofitability, the Amusement Area recorded a net profit.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 24, 1940 |title=Fair Amusements to Show a Profit; Net This Year Put at 'Nominal to Handsome' as Big Costs of '39 Are Eliminated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/24/archives/fair-amusements-to-show-a-profit-net-this-year-put-at-nominal-to.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In total, the WFC earned $3.9 million during the 1939 season and $3.4 million during the 1940 season.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Apr 12, 1941 |title=Fairs-Expositions: Final Figures New York World's Fair—1939 and 1940 |magazine=The Billboard |pages=62 |volume=53 |issue=15 |id={{ProQuest|1032248375}}}}</ref> The WFC paid bondholders $2.08 million in early 1941<ref>{{cite news |date=3 Jan 1941 |title=Gibson Plans Cash Distribution To World's Fair Lien Holders |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=23 |id={{ProQuest|1266876967}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=4 Jan 1941 |title=$2,081,867 Is Paid On World's Fair Bonds: Distribution Is First On Principal Since 2 In 1939—Brings Return To 27 Cents On Dollar |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|538434451}}}}</ref> and made their final payments to bondholders in June 1942.<ref name="p1266858992a" /> For several years, the WFC retained a small staff to close out its financial accounts.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 Jan 1943 |title=World Fair Aid Still Engaged in Settling Affairs: Solitary Worker Answering Requests for Data and Striving to Close Books The Last Employee of the World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=5 |id={{ProQuest|1264621381}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 30, 1942 |title=What About the World's Fair? Well, It's Still Kicking Around; At Least It Has an Office, One Borrowed Typewriter, 3 Operating Officials and a 'Pain in the Neck' in Those Bonds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/04/30/archives/what-about-the-worlds-fair-well-its-still-kicking-around-at-least.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The corporation was not formally dissolved until August 1944;<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Aug 3, 1944 |title=Retail Executive: World's Fair Of 1940 Ordered Dissolved |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=29 |volume=69 |issue=23 |id={{ProQuest|1842071923}}}}</ref> at the time of its dissolution, the WFC owed shareholders $19 million.<ref name="p1266858992a" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1944-07-15 |title=1940 World's Fair Asks Dissolution |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-1940-worlds-fair/155060467/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |pages=5 |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=July 14, 1944 |title=Dissolution is Asked by the World's Fair; Corporation Lists $19,069,764 Balance Due Stockholders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/07/14/archives/dissolution-is-asked-by-the-worlds-fair-corporation-lists-19069764.html |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
==Impact== | |||
=== Reception === | |||
] | |||
When the fair was being developed, ''The Washington Post'' wrote in 1936 that the fair would give New York City a permanent public park, while the "visitors will get an eyeful beyond their fondest imagination and the hotel-keepers will get a pocketful" of money.<ref name="p150752879" /> The ''Post'' wrote in 1938 that the fair would become "the ] of millions upon millions",<ref name="p151083799" /> while ''The New York Times'' said the event "will still be a great fair" even if half the buildings were never built.<ref name="nyt-1938-05-01" /> Another newspaper wrote that the fair (along with the Golden Gate Exposition) would be "two stunning examples of science in action".<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1938 |title=World Fairs Will Show Science in Action |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/dunkirk-evening-observer-world-fairs-wil/152797713/ |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=Dunkirk Evening Observer |pages=5}}</ref> Just before the fair opened, ''The Scotsman'' wrote that, despite the ongoing ], workers at the 1939 fair "still the world of to-day has possibilities of progress".<ref>{{cite news |last=Butcher |first=Harold |date=April 15, 1939 |title=New York World's Fair: Its International Significance |work=The Scotsman |page=16 |id={{ProQuest|481423335}}}}</ref> | |||
Upon the fair's opening, a ''Washington Post'' writer praised the fairground's futuristic architecture and landscaping, even while stating that "there is also architecture on which the classicist can rest his peepers".<ref>{{cite news |last=Robb |first=Inez |date=May 1, 1939 |title=World of Tomorrow Has the Same Old Hot Dogs, Both Kinds: 40,000 Hear Fair Opened By Roosevelt |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|151212415}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported that European countries regarded the fair as an opportunity to display "its particular political views before the American public under the guise of good-will and commercial display".<ref>{{cite web |date=May 7, 1939 |title=Europe Divided on World's Fair; First Reports on the Show Are in Tune With National Aims and Policies Italy's Reaction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/07/archives/europe-divided-on-worlds-fair-first-reports-on-the-show-are-in-tune.html |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In an August 1939 ] of the fair's visitors, 84% of respondents said they wanted to return, while only 3% disliked the fair.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 Aug 1939 |title=Fair Pleases Its Visitors, Poll Finds: 83 Per Cent of Those 'Who've Been There' Say They 'Liked' It Very Much Survey |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=B1 |id={{ProQuest|151168617}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=August 20, 1939 |title=Survey Supports Fair's Popularity; Gallup Agents Find Women Are More Enthusiastic About It Than Men |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/20/archives/survey-supports-fairs-popularity-gallup-agents-find-women-are-more.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
When the fair closed, the ''Baltimore Sun'' wrote in 1940 that "the World's Fair was devoted to the arts of peace, and this is time of war".<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 1940 |title=The World's Fair That May Have Ended World's Fairs |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|543011814}}}}</ref> A decade after the fair, one writer for the ''New York Herald Tribune'' said the expo had "become for many of us a symbol of the past", in large part because of the war that followed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crozier |first=Emmet |date=24 Apr 1949 |title=Once There Was a World's Fair... |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=A1 |id={{ProQuest|1327488597}}}}</ref> In 1964, one ''New York Times'' writer said the 1939 fair had been envisioned in an era "that had in its calendar no World War II, no Hiroshima, no Korea, no fires in Africa and Asia".<ref name="nyt-1964-04-222" /> The design critic ], writing about the fair in 1980, described the fair as significant for the products introduced there and for its architecture,<ref name="Goldberger 1980 c337">{{cite web |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=June 20, 1980 |title=World's Fair of '39 Revisited; World's Fair of 1939–40 Revisited on Queens Site A Coherent Design Emerged Vision of a New Kind of City Era of Corporate Giants Loomed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/20/archives/worlds-fair-of-39-revisited-worlds-fair-of-193940-revisited-on.html |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> while a ''Newsday'' critic wrote the same year that the fair had provided hope at a time when everyone was fearful of the war.<ref name="p964511165" /> ] wrote in his 1987 book ''New York 1930'' that "the fair was seen as little more than a transitory good-time place".<ref name="Stern (1987) p. 727" /> | |||
===Economic and regional influence=== | |||
To limit excessive real-estate development around the fairground, city officials requested in early 1936 that the neighborhoods around Flushing Meadows be rezoned as residential areas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1936 |title=Restricted Zoning in Fair Area Urged; Queens Leader Moves to Balk Underhand Speculation and Irregular Building |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/01/18/archives/restricted-zoning-in-fair-area-urged-queens-leader-moves-to-balk.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=February 2, 1936 |title=Zone Hearing Set for Fair Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-zone-hearing-set-for-fair-ar/152003343/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=Times Union |page=5}}</ref> The Board of Estimate voted in 1937 to enact zoning restrictions around the fair, which prevented the construction of high-rise buildings around the site and created a buffer zone around the fairground.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 5, 1937 |title=Protests Delay Zoning Near World's Fair: Board of Estimate Holds Up Restrictions on Signs, Parking, Amusements Discriminations Charged Resolution Prohibits High Buildings Near Grounds |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=6 |id={{ProQuest|1243535262}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 5, 1937 |title=Harvey is Set Back in Fair Zone Fight; Estimate Board Votes to Put Restrictions on Part of Area Adjacent to Flushing Site |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/05/archives/harvey-is-set-back-in-fair-zone-fight-estimate-board-votes-to-put.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The same year, the city restricted businesses from operating within {{convert|1000|ft}} of the fairground.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 28, 1937 |title=City Votes to Restrict Grounds Surrounding '39 World's Fair |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|1251158864}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=September 28, 1937 |title=World's Fair Zone is Created by City; Commercial Activities Within 1,000 Feet of Present Site Subject to Regulation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/28/archives/worlds-fair-zone-is-created-by-city-commercial-activities-within.html |access-date=July 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> One ''New York Times'' writer wrote in 1938 that, although residential development in Queens was increasing, this was due to the presence of new transport links, rather than because of the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Lee E. |date=October 26, 1938 |title=Various Branches of Real Estate Industry Feel Effects of Approaching World's Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/10/26/archives/various-branches-of-real-estate-industry-feel-effects-of.html |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> After the fair began, commercial activity around ], also increased, and real-estate prices there increased several times over.<ref name="p115677931" /> | |||
Grover Whalen predicted that the fair would attract 50 million visitors who would spend $1 billion in total.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 20, 1936 |title=N. Y. Fair Will Aid Recovery, Says Whalen: 50,000,000 Visitors Due to Spend Huge Sums, He Tells Sales Executives |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=41 |id={{ProQuest|1327553027}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=October 20, 1936 |title=Fair Seen as Spur in Big Trade Area; Whalen Says Other States as Well as New York Will Gain by 50,000,000 Influx. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/20/archives/fair-seen-as-spur-in-big-trade-area-whalen-says-other-states-as.html |access-date=July 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The WFC projected in 1936 that it would lose $3.9 million if the fair recorded 40 million visitors and that it would earn at least $1 million if it had 50 million or more visitors.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 27, 1936 |title=Surplus Likely For World Fair, Backers Find: Prospectus for Debentures Sees $1,024,158 Profit if 50,000,000 Attend 2d Year Is Considered Capital Investment of 125 Million Figured On |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=20 |id={{ProQuest|1240529164}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |date=November 27, 1936 |title=Profit on Fair Sure if 50,000,000 See It; Prospectus for Bond Buyers Holds 'Reasonable Hope' That Such Will Be the Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/27/archives/profit-on-fair-sure-if-50000000-see-it-prospectus-for-bond-buyers.html |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Numerous retailers on ] in Manhattan renovated their buildings for the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=August 8, 1937 |title=Fifth Ave. Starts To 'Primp' for '39 World's Fair: Retailers Between 34th and 42d Streets Rebuild, Modernize and Expand New jersey House Bought by New York Interest |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=D4 |id={{ProQuest|1250488751}}}}</ref> and room rates at local hotels were also increased.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 8, 1939 |title=15%–30% Rise Announced in City Hotel Rates: Increase in World's Fair Year Is Ascribed to Steadily Mounting Costs |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|1260490148}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |date=February 3, 1939 |title=New York Hotels Will Raise Rates For World's Fair |work=The Hartford Courant |page=3 |id={{ProQuest|559146792}}}}</ref> By May 1939, real-estate figures predicted that the fair would earn between $1 billion and $1.5 billion for the city's economy.<ref name="p1796267678" /> The ] also proposed waiving sales taxes for exhibitors during the fair, though La Guardia vetoed the bill for being too vague.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 7, 1938 |title=Mayor Vetoes World Fair Tax Exemption Bill: Finds Faulty Drafting in Measure to Which He Had Given Personal Approval and It Will Be Rewritten |work=New York Herald Tribune |page=8 |id={{ProQuest|1244318560}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 7, 1938 |title=City Sales Tax Saved by La Guardia Veto; Fair Bill So Worded as to End Relief Levy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/06/07/archives/city-sales-tax-saved-by-la-guardia-veto-fair-bill-so-worded-as-to.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> The state legislature predicted that the fair would spur business throughout New York state,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1939 |title=Fair is Expected to Aid State Trade; 150 Legislators at Preview-- 25,000 Will Go on Job to Rush the Work |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/23/archives/fair-is-expected-to-aid-state-trade-150-legislators-at-preview.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> and Whalen predicted that the fair would increase total spending across the U.S. by $10 billion.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 6, 1939 |title=See World Fair Boosting Trade By 10 Billion: Billion Dollars Added To N. Y. Business Will Be Respent 10 Times In U. S., Whalen Points Out |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=2, 19 |volume=58 |issue=44 |id={{ProQuest|1728702813}}}}</ref> During the fair, the New York state government sought to attract visitors to other parts of the state, such as the ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 1939 |title=N. Y. State Attracts: Visitors To World's Fair Invited To View State's Scenic Attractions |work=The Baltimore Sun |page=R5 |id={{ProQuest|543082894}}}}</ref> | |||
During the 1939 season, New York City saw both increased vehicular traffic and public-transit use, even though the city actually had fewer commuters (continuing a decade-long trend).<ref>{{cite news |date=1 Apr 1940 |title=World's Fair Spurred Traffic to New York, But Fewer Commuted: Total Traffic Up 3.3% in 1939, But Commutation Extended Decline of Past 10 Years |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |id={{ProQuest|131326866}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 1, 1940 |title=Rail Traffic Here Showed Rise in '39; 8,725,202 More Passengers on Roads and Ferryboats Are Reported by Transit Board |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/04/01/archives/rail-traffic-here-showed-rise-in-39-8725202-more-passengers-on.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Vehicular traffic in Manhattan south of 61st Street increased during the fair,<ref>{{cite web |date=June 1, 1941 |title=Sharp 1939–40 Rise in Traffic Noted; Vehicles Entering and Leaving Manhattan Below 61st St. Show Spurt in Period |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/06/01/archives/sharp-193940-rise-in-traffic-noted-vehicles-entering-and-leaving.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> as did hotel-room bookings in the city.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 Oct 1939 |title=World's Series Fans, Fair Patrons Bring Boom To New York's Hotels |work=The Hartford Courant |page=2 |id={{ProQuest|559256026}}}}</ref> The exposition also spurred increased spending in New York City and was indirectly connected with Queens's further development.<ref name="p115677931" /> Although most tourists to New York City in 1939 came specifically for the fair, the rest of the city also saw increased tourism in 1940.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Jun 19, 1940 |title=Miscellany: Tourists Spread Out, Not Limiting Selves Just to Flushing Meadows |magazine=Variety |pages=2 |volume=139 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1285770111}}}}</ref> | |||
===Media and archives=== | |||
].|alt=A souvenir tie clip from the fair]] | |||
After the fair, documents and films from the event were sent to ],<ref>{{cite web |date=October 25, 1940 |title=Archives of Fair to Go to Library; Permanent Records Including Photographs, Clippings and Signatures Will Be Kept |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/10/25/archives/archives-of-fair-to-go-to-library-permanent-records-including.html |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> where they are still maintained.<ref>{{cite web |title=World's Fair: Enter the World of Tomorrow |url=http://exhibitions.nypl.org/biblion/worldsfair |work=Biblion: the boundless library |publisher=New York Public Library |access-date=March 15, 2014}}</ref> The ] in ], described the 1939 fair in its exhibition ''Designing Tomorrow: America's World's Fairs of the 1930s'', which ran from October 2010 to September 2011.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Futter |first=Catherine L. |date=Mar 2012 |title=Designing Tomorrow: America's World's Fairs of the 1930s |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2752/175470812X13176523285435 |journal=Design and Culture |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=98–102 |doi=10.2752/175470812X13176523285435 |issn=1754-7075}}</ref> In addition, the ] hosted a retrospective exhibit about the fair in 1980.<ref name="p964511165" /><ref name="Goldberger 1980 c337" /> Private collectors have amassed a large amount of memorabilia from the fair. These include print media such as guidebooks, posters, and programs, in addition to everyday objects such as pens, ashtrays, maps, and puzzles.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reif |first=Rita |date=July 6, 1980 |title=Antiques; Treasure and Trivia From the 1939 Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/07/06/archives/antiques-treasure-and-trivia-from-the-1939-fair.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
The 1939 New York World's Fair has been dramatized in books such as ]'s 1995 novel ''1939-The Lost World of the Fair''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duggan |first=Dennis |date=December 11, 1999 |title=1939–40 World's Fair / Queens of the Fair |work=Newsday |page=G06 |id={{ProQuest|279277888}}}}</ref> There have also been several nonfiction books about the fair, including Barbara Cohen, Steven Heller, amd Seymour Chwast's 1989 book ''Trylon and Perisphere''<ref name="p280741436" /> and James Mauro's 2010 book ''Twilight at the World of Tomorrow''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leibowitz |first=Barry |date=August 2, 2010 |title=Book 'Em: Twilight at the World of Tomorrow |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/book-em-twilight-at-the-world-of-tomorrow/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=CBS News |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=July 15, 2010 |title=James Mauro: Twilight At The World of Tomorrow |url=https://www.avclub.com/james-mauro-twilight-at-the-world-of-tomorrow-1798165422 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=AV Club}}</ref> In addition, objects and footage from the event are shown in the 1984 documentary ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Antos |first=Jason D. |date=April 25, 2018 |title=The World of Tomorrow Returns To Film Forum 34 Years After Its Premiere |url=https://www.qgazette.com/articles/the-world-of-tomorrow-returns-to-film-forum-34-years-after-its-premiere/ |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=Queens Gazette |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=March 7, 1984 |title=Screen: 'The World of Tomorrow' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/07/movies/screen-the-world-of-tomorrow.html |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] – 1853 World's Fair in Bryant Park, New York City | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | |||
=== Notes === | |||
{{Notelist}} | |||
=== Citations === | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
=== Sources === | |||
* {{Cite Power Broker}} | |||
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9F3crMGGIkC&pg=PA87 |title=The 1939–1940 New York World's Fair |last=Cotter |first=Bill |publisher=Arcadia Pub. |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7385-6534-7 |series=Images of America}} | |||
* {{cite magazine |last=Hamlin |first=Talbot |date=Nov 1938 |title=World's Fair 1939 Model |url=https://usmodernist.org/PA/PP-1938-11.pdf |magazine=Pencil Points |volume=19}} | |||
* {{Cite book |url= |title=Official Guide Book of the New York World's Fair, 1939 |date=1939 |publisher=Exposition Publications |editor-last=Monaghan |editor-first=Frank |oclc=575567}} | |||
* {{cite book |title=Official guide book of the New York World's Fair, 1939 : building the world of tomorrow |publisher=Exposition Publications |year=1939 |publication-place=New York |oclc=123481289 |ref={{SfnRef|Exposition Publications|1939}}}} | |||
* {{Cite magazine |last=Patterson |first=Sterling |date=Apr 1939 |title=Miracle of the Marshes: Two short years ago a metropolitan dis grace. Today a beautiful and startling ex travaganza. That's the story of a two-mile square area of Long Island that's become the setting for the New York World's Fair |magazine=Better Homes and Gardens |pages=20–21, 87–91 |volume=17 |issue=8 |id={{ProQuest|1715496162}}}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Samuel |first1=Lawrence R. |url=https://archive.org/details/endofinnocence190000samu |title=The End of the Innocence: The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair |date=August 30, 2007 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-8156-0890-5 |edition=1st |url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{Cite New York 1930}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Steinberg |first=Ted |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=arkrCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA211 |title=Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York |date=July 21, 2015 |publisher=] |isbn=978-1-4767-4128-4 |pages=209–225}} | |||
* {{cite journal |last=Wasson |first=Haidee |date=2012 |title=The Other Small Screen: Moving Images at New York's World Fair, 1939 |journal=Canadian Journal of Film Studies |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=81–103 |doi=10.3138/cjfs.21.1.81 |issn=0847-5911 |id={{ProQuest|1356976868}}}} | |||
* {{cite magazine |last=Whalen |first=Grover A. |date=Jan 1939 |title=The New York World's Fair of 1939: Fair Progress in a Nutshell |magazine= Bankers' Magazine |page=27 |volume=138 |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|124369078}}}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Wood |first=Andrew F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20TBYI5K46oC |title=New York's 1939–1940 World's Fair |publisher=Arcadia |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7385-3585-2 |series=Postcard history series |access-date=July 25, 2024}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Wurts |first1=Richard |title=The New York World's Fair, 1939/1940 in 155 photographs |last2=Appelbaum |first2=Stanley |publisher=Dover Publications |year=1977 |isbn=978-0-486-23494-6 |publication-place=New York |oclc=3379917}} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
* {{cite book |last=Gelernter |first=David Hillel |title=1939, the lost world of the Fair |publisher=Avon Books |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-380-72748-3 |publication-place=New York |oclc=34889552}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Kargon |first1=Robert H. |title=World's fairs on the eve of war : science, technology, and modernity, 1937-1942 |last2=Molella |first2=Arthur P. |last3=Low |first3=Morris |last4=Fiss |first4=Karen |publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-8229-8114-5 |publication-place=Pittsburgh, Pa. |oclc=933516797}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Mauro |first=James |title=Twilight at the world of tomorrow : genius, madness, murder, and the 1939 World's Fair on the brink of war |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-345-51214-7 |publication-place=New York |oclc=449845319}} | |||
* {{Cite journal |last=Reid |first=Kenneth |date=December 1936 |title=World's Fair Competition |url=https://usmodernist.org/PA/PP-1936-12.pdf |journal=] |pages=653–677}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Roesch |first=Roberta |url=https://archive.org/details/worldsfairsyeste0000unse/page/60/mode/2up?q=1939 |title=World's fairs : yesterday, today, tomorrow |publisher=The John Day Company |year=1967 |pages=61–68 |url-access=registration |via=Internet Archive}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Zim |first1=Larry |title=The world of tomorrow : the 1939 New York World's Fair |last2=Lerner |first2=Mel |last3=Rolfes |first3=Herbert |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-06-015923-8 |publication-place=New York |oclc=18970335}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* Manuscripts and Archives, New York Public Library. | |||
* | |||
{{List of world's fairs in the United States}} | |||
{{List of world exhibitions}} | |||
{{Flushing Meadows-Corona Park}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] |
Latest revision as of 15:40, 28 December 2024
World's fair held in New York City
1939 New York City | |
---|---|
Poster by Joseph Binder | |
Overview | |
BIE-class | Universal exposition |
Category | Second category General Exposition |
Name | New York World's Fair |
Motto | The World of Tomorrow |
Area | 1,202 acres (486 hectares) |
Organized by | Grover Whalen |
Participant(s) | |
Countries | 62 |
Organizations | 1,400 |
Location | |
Country | United States |
City | New York City |
Venue | Flushing Meadows–Corona Park |
Coordinates | 40°44′39″N 73°50′40″W / 40.74417°N 73.84444°W / 40.74417; -73.84444 |
Timeline | |
Opening | April 30, 1939 (1939-04-30) (first season) May 11, 1940 (1940-05-11) (second season) |
Closure | October 31, 1939 (1939-10-31) (first season) October 27, 1940 (1940-10-27) (second season) |
Universal expositions | |
Previous | Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in Paris |
Next | Exposition internationale du bicentenaire de Port-au-Prince in Port-au-Prince |
Specialized Expositions | |
Previous | Second International Aeronautic Exhibition (1938) in Helsinki |
Next | International Exhibition on Urbanism and Housing (1947) in Paris |
Simultaneous | |
Universal | Golden Gate International Exposition |
Specialized | Exposition internationale de l'eau in Liège |
The 1939 New York World's Fair (also known as the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair) was an international exposition at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City, United States. The fair included exhibitions, activities, performances, films, art, and food presented by 62 nations, 35 U.S. states and territories, and 1,400 organizations and companies. Slightly more than 45 million people attended over two seasons. It was based on "the world of tomorrow", with an opening slogan of "Dawn of a New Day". The 1,202-acre (486 ha) fairground consisted of seven color-coded zones, as well as two standalone focal exhibits. The fairground had about 375 buildings.
Plans for the 1939 World's Fair were first announced in September 1935, and the New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) began constructing the fairground in June 1936. The fair opened on April 30, 1939, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the first inauguration of George Washington. When World War II began four months into the 1939 World's Fair, many exhibits were affected, and some exhibits were forced to close after the first season. The fair attracted over 45 million visitors and ultimately recouped only 32% of its original cost. After the fair ended on October 27, 1940, most pavilions were demolished or removed, though some buildings were relocated or retained for the 1964 New York World's Fair on the same site.
The fair hosted many activities and cultural events. Participating governments, businesses, and organizations were celebrated on specific theme days. Musical performances took place in conjunction with the fair, and sculptures and artworks were displayed throughout the fairground and within pavilions. The fairground also displayed consumer products, including electronic devices, and there were dozens of restaurants and concession stands. The exposition spurred increased spending in New York City and indirectly influenced Queens's further development. Artifacts from the fair still exist, and the event has also been dramatized in media.
Development
New York City had hosted the United States' first world's fair, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, in 1853–1854; the city did not host another world's fair for 85 years. The site of the 1939 World's Fair, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, was originally a natural wetland straddling the Flushing River before becoming an ash dump in the early 20th century. New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses first conceived the idea of developing a large park in Flushing Meadows in the 1920s. Although the neighborhoods around Flushing Meadows contained residential developments, the meadow itself remained undeveloped and isolated. Meanwhile, the 1933 Century of Progress exposition in Chicago had boosted that city's economy, prompting businesspeople in New York City to consider a similar fair.
Planning
Early plans
The New York Times attributes the idea for the 1939 New York World's Fair to the civil engineer Joseph Shadgen, who had come up with the idea in 1934 following a conversation with his daughter. By early 1935, a group led by the municipal reformer George McAneny was considering an international exposition in New York City in 1939. Though the date coincided with the 150th anniversary of George Washington's first inauguration, Moses said the date was "an excuse and not the reason" for the fair. That September, the group announced plans to spend $40 million to host an exhibition at the 1,003-acre (406 ha) Flushing Meadows site. The New York City Board of Estimate approved the use of Flushing Meadows as a fairground on September 23, and Moses directed municipal draftsmen to survey the site. The Flushing Meadows site had been selected because of its large size and central location, and the city already owned 586 acres (237 ha) nearby.
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia pledged financial support for the fair that October; at the time, Moses estimated that it would cost $5–7 million to prepare the fairground and build transit to the fair. The New York World's Fair Corporation (WFC) was formed to oversee the exposition on October 22, 1935, and the Board of Estimate allocated $200,000 the next day for preliminary work. The WFC elected McAneny as its president, and two contractors were hired that December to conduct preliminary surveys. Several foreign exhibitors had expressed interest in the fair before the end of the year, and the WFC and the New York City Board of Transportation devised plans for public transit lines to the fair.
Lease and financing
State lawmaker Herbert Brownell Jr. proposed legislation in January 1936, allowing the city government to formally lease the Flushing Meadows site to the WFC. Moses warned that the fairground's completion could be delayed due to funding issues; by then, the fair was estimated to cost $45 million. That February, McAneny announced that he would organize a committee to devise an architectural plan for the fairground. The committee initially advocated for a single massive building. Brownell requested funding from New York governor Herbert Lehman the same month for "basic World's Fair improvements"; the city and state governments were each supposed to spend $5 million on site preparations. The project remained stalled during early 1936 because of disagreements over the fair's location and financing. There was a competing proposal to relocate the fair to Marine Park in Brooklyn. but the New York State Legislature ultimately voted in April to allow the city to lease out Flushing Meadows.
In April 1936, Grover Whalen replaced McAneny as the WFC's chairman; he was later elected as the agency's full-time president as well. J. Franklin Bell was hired to draw up preliminary plans for the fair, and the WFC appointed a committee of seven men to devise a plan for the fairground. At the end of the month, the city government announced plans to sell $7 million in bonds, and the state pledged $4.125 million for the project. In addition, the WFC was to sell $20 million in bonds; the WFC eventually ended up issuing $26,862,800 worth of bonds. The New York City Board of Estimate appropriated $308,020 to begin landscaping the site that May, and city officials acquired another 372 acres (151 ha) through eminent domain. The WFC dedicated the fairground site on June 4, 1936, shortly before the city finalized its lease of Flushing Meadows to the WFC in June 1936.
Construction
Work on the World's Fair site began on June 16, 1936, and a groundbreaking ceremony for the fairground took place on June 29. The WFC established seven departments and thirteen committees to coordinate the fair's development. The fair was planned to employ 35,000 people. The construction of the fairground involved leveling the ash mounds; excavating Meadow and Willow lakes; and diverting much of the Flushing River into underground culverts. The dirt from the lake sites was used as additional topsoil for the park. Workers also transported soil from Westchester County, New York, to the fairground. Four hundred fifty workers were employed on three eight-hour shifts. The rebuilt landscape was to be retained after the fair. The city, state, and federal governments also worked on 48 infrastructure-improvement projects, such as highway and landscaping projects, for the fair.
To promote the fair, the WFC established advisory committees with members from every U.S. state. Several baseball teams wore patches promoting the fair during the 1938 Major League Baseball season, while the businessman Howard Hughes named an airplane after the fair and flew it around the world in 1938. Helen Huntington Hull led a women's committee that helped promote and develop the fair. New York license plates from 1938 were supposed to have slogans advertising the fair, but a city judge deemed the slogans unconstitutional. New York license plates from 1939 and 1940 also advertised the fair. Local retailers also sold more than $40 million worth of merchandise with World's Fair motifs, and the U.S. government issued stamps depicting the fair's Trylon and Perisphere. World leaders delivered "greetings to the fair" as part of the "Salute of the Nations" radio program, and the WFC also broadcast 15-minute-long "invitations to the fair", featuring musical entertainments and a speech by Gibson. In addition, the WFC distributed a promotional film, Let's Go to the Fair.
1936 and 1937
The WFC's board of design reviewed several proposed master plans for the site, and the corporation had relocated the last occupants of the fairground site by August 1936. The WFC launched a design competition for several fairground pavilions that September and selected several winning designs two months later. Before the final master plan was revealed, Whalen said the fair would likely be dedicated to the past, present, and future. The WFC announced details of the fair's master plan that October, which called for a $125 million exposition themed to "the world of tomorrow". The city, state, and federal governments would spend $35 million; the WFC was to spend $30 million; and the remaining funds would come from individual exhibitors. There were to be ten zones, an amusement area, a central tower with paths radiating away from it, and extensive public-transit improvements. Later that month, the WFC signed construction contracts for the fairground's first building. At that point, only a small number of fairground buildings had been approved.
In November 1936, France became the first nation to announce its participation, and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged other nations to join the fair. The city government also began selling bonds for the fair that month, and several nations and hundreds of businesses had expressed interest. That December, the International Convention Bureau endorsed the 1939 World's Fair, allowing the bureau's 21 member countries to host exhibits there, and Lehman also invited the governors of all other U.S. states. By the beginning of 1937, eleven hundred concessionaires had applied for concessions at the fair, and nine buildings were under construction. The WFC unveiled a model of the fairground at its Empire State Building headquarters that March. Workers had finished grading and filling the World's Fair site by April, and they began planting trees on the fairground. That month, AT&T became the first company to lease a pavilion at the fair, and work officially began on the first building, the administration structure. In addition, the WFC began auctioning off the fairground's concession spaces, and workers also began planting trees in early 1937. Whalen predicted that the fair would attract 59 nations. Shadgen, who had devised the idea for the fair, was ousted from the WFC that year.
Whalen announced plans in June 1937 for a 280-acre (110 ha) amusement zone at the south end of the fairground, and Moses proposed adding a trailer parking lot and a community interests zone. Work on the first non-commercial pavilion, the Temple of Peace, began in July. The fairground's first structure, the administration building, was completed by the next month. At the time, 89 buildings were under construction, and 86% of the fairground sites had been leased. Utah became the first U.S. state to lease space in the fair's Hall of States that September, while Missouri was the first state to lease space for a standalone building. Whalen also traveled to Europe to invite European countries to the fair. The WFC reported in October that 62 construction contracts had been finished and that another 63 were in progress. Various fairground buildings were rapidly being developed, as well as the Trylon and Perisphere, the fair's icons. That December, the Ford Motor Company became the first automobile manufacturer to lease space at the fair; by then, the WFC had received commitments from 60 nations.
1938 and 1939
The WFC awarded the first fair concession in January 1938; by then, Whalen was making plans for the fair's opening ceremony. Whalen wanted to have 100 buildings under construction by the end of April, and the WFC planned to spend $10 million on upgrading the fairground's utilities. Work on the Perisphere, the fair's theme building, began in early April, along with work on the first foreign-government structure. The same month, the WFC leased out the last vacant sites in the fair's Government Zone. Exactly one year before the fair's expected opening, the city hosted a parade with 1 million spectators on April 30, 1938; the WFC also hosted a fireworks show the next week. That May, the WFC began allowing visitors to inspect the fairground on weekends for a fee. By then, many of the buildings were under construction. The structures were all supposed to be completed by the end of March 1939, giving one month for exhibitors to fit their pavilions out.
The WFC awarded contracts to 30 amusement-ride operators in June 1938, following months of disputes over the concessions. Work was delayed for three weeks in July during a labor strike. and the delivery of materials was delayed that September during the New York City truckers' strike. The WFC continued to issue concessions for eateries and amusement rides. By late 1938, workers were painting murals on buildings, and the subway stations serving the fairground were being completed. That October, the Heinz Dome became the first commercial exhibit to be completed, and 80% of the fairground's 3 million square feet (280,000 m) of exhibit space had been leased. Leasing lagged in the amusement zone; by that December, only two-thirds of the ride concessions had been leased.
Whalen announced in January 1939 that the fairground was more than 90% complete, but although 95% of the buildings were under construction, work on one-third of the amusement concessions had not started. The fair had attracted 1,300 industrial exhibitors and 70 concessionaires. In addition, 62 nations and 35 U.S. states or territories had leased space at the fair; their flags were flown atop a hill on the fairground. In March 1939, a month and a half before the fair's official opening, Whalen announced plans to spend $1 million on shows and miniature villages in the Amusement Area. The lights on the fairground were first turned on that April, three weeks before the fair's scheduled opening. In addition, La Guardia issued a proclamation declaring April 1939 as "Dress Up and Paint Up Month" in New York City. Sixteen thousand workers were putting final touches on the site by mid-April, and foreign nations were delivering $100 million worth of exhibits to the fair. Thousands of additional workers were employed toward the end of April.
Operation
The fairground ultimately cost $156,000,000 (equivalent to $3,417,000,000 in 2023), and Whalen anticipated that 60 million people would visit. Five major newsreel companies were hired to provide newsreel coverage, and the Crosley Corporation and WNYC both had radio broadcasting studios there. The WFC hired Exposition Publications to print a guidebook, souvenir book, and daily programs, and it promoted 17 other publications about the fair. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) retroactively recognized the 1939 World's Fair as an official World Expo, even though the BIE's rules permitted official Expos to run for only one year.
Whalen agreed to hire only union laborers to install exhibits on the fairground; in exchange, several trade unions agreed to buy the WFC's bonds. Free emergency services were provided on site by dozens of doctors and nurses, and there were six first-aid stations, a mobile X-ray machine, and five ambulances. The fairground was covered by a temporary New York City Police Department (NYPD) precinct and a temporary New York City Fire Department (FDNY) battalion with 118 firefighters. In addition, the Queens County Court was temporarily expanded to hear additional criminal cases relating to the fair.
1939 season
Preparations and opening
For the 1939 season, the WFC charged 75 cents per adult and 25 cents per child; the agency also sold season tickets, multi-visit tickets, and souvenir ticket books. Manhattan borough president Stanley M. Isaacs had wanted the WFC to give students free admission, but Moses opposed the proposal. Whalen began selling discounted advance tickets in February 1939; the corporation wanted to sell at least $3 million in advance tickets. A thousand retailers in the New York metropolitan area sold advance tickets. The fair initially did not distribute free tickets to anyone, although journalists could visit the fairground free of charge. Advance ticket sales were supposed to have ended on April 23, 1939, but the WFC had to print additional souvenir books due to high demand. Though there was an upcharge fee for some of the exhibits and attractions, three-fourths of the original attractions did not charge any extra fees.
On April 30, 1939, exactly 150 years after Washington's first inauguration, the fair formally opened with a speech by President Roosevelt. Twenty-eight United States Navy men-of-war arrived in New York City for the fair's opening, and 20,000 people participated in a parade celebrating the opening. The fair received 600,000 visitors on its first day, far short of the 1 million visitors that the WFC had predicted. At the time, many major attractions in the Amusement Area were incomplete, and only 80% of the structures were ready. The fair accommodated one million visitors in its first four days. By mid-May, the fair was 90% finished, but many of the amusement attractions were still incomplete. The WFC's operations department oversaw the remainder of the construction.
May to October
In early May, the WFC began selling 10-cent children's tickets once a week, which helped increase children's attendance significantly. At La Guardia's behest, the New York City Board of Education operated guided tours in which school classes could visit the fair for free. Concessionaires in the Amusement Area asked the WFC to consider offering reduced-price tickets after 9 p.m., and the WFC opened more restaurants late that May. Within a month of the fair's opening, several exhibitors had alleged that labor unions had charged exorbitant prices for labor at the fair, and the government of Nevada canceled their exhibit due to high labor-union costs. Due to concerns over sexually explicit content, several of the fair's shows were raided as well. That June, to accommodate high demand, the WFC rescheduled the fair's nightly fountain performances at the Lagoon of Nations, which attracted up to 60,000 observers a night. The same month, the WFC established a committee to oversee the amusement area, and amusement concessionaires agreed to offer discounted ride tickets once a week. The WFC also sold discounted 50-cent tickets to organizations and businesses who bought at least 500 tickets.
Lower-than-expected attendance prompted Whalen to fire hundreds of employees in July 1939, and there were also proposals to reduce performers' salaries. The same month, the WFC began selling discounted "combination tickets" with snacks and admission to multiple attractions, as well as "bargain books" with food vouchers and admission tickets. At the request of amusement-ride operators, the WFC also considered reducing admission prices. At the beginning of August, admission was reduced to 50 cents during weekends, and the WFC started selling discounted 40-cent tickets at night. The WFC also began allowing railroads to sell 50-cent tickets to groups of 500 or more passengers. With daily attendance averaging 129,000—less than half the original estimate of 270,000—the WFC was unsure if the fair would run for another season. The fair's financial standing was so bad that, by mid-August the WFC was asking bondholders to lend it more money, and the bondholders agreed to forgo their right to collect a portion of the fair's admission revenue. A writer for Variety magazine said local residents tended to avoid the fair's restaurants and that the amusement area deterred visitors with more refined tastes.
In September 1939, the WFC began inviting foreign exhibitors to return for a second season. At the time, Harvey D. Gibson, who led the WFC's board of directors, did not anticipate that the WFC would encounter any financial issues between the two seasons. The same month, the Carrier Corporation was the first industrial exhibitor to renew its lease. Southern Rhodesia was the first exhibitor to shutter its pavilion entirely, and other exhibitors curtailed their operations. Whalen also traveled to Europe, asking exhibitors to return in 1940. At the end of September, the WFC notified the city government that it intended to lease the land for a second season, and the WFC reduced admission fees to 50 cents for the rest of the season. In the final weeks of the 1939 season, visitors increasingly came from outside the New York City area. The final week was celebrated with a Mardi Gras–themed festival.
When the first season ended on October 31, 1939, the WFC had recorded 25,817,265 paying guests. Attendance had exceeded 100,000 on 114 days, or about 62% of the season. At the peak of the first season, the WFC had directly employed about 8,500 people, and exhibitors had employed another 16,500. Including workers on temporary permits, the fair had recorded 32.79 million visitors. At the end of the first season, the WFC owed bondholders $23.5 million, and it had $1.13 million on hand. In addition, the fair had handled 8.52 million phone calls and 3.3 million pieces of mail. Around 150 fairgoers had been arrested during the first season, only one of whom was charged with a felony.
Off-season
After the 1939 season ended, many exhibits were removed for safekeeping, and the fairground's utilities were turned off. Most of the fair's 2,800 employees were reassigned to other positions, though the WFC hired a skeleton crew and allocated $3.3 million to maintain the fairground during the off-season. The FDNY and NYPD watched over the fairground, and many exhibitors also hired their own security guards. Because of lower-than-expected attendance, the WFC agreed to reduce adult admission prices to 50 cents. The WFC agreed to redesign the Amusement Area to emphasize the rides there. The corporation also tried to attract visitors within an overnight drive from New York City, rather than guests from further afield.
At the requests of several U.S. state exhibitors, the WFC halved rent rates for U.S. state pavilions during the second season. Despite the uncertainty caused by the ongoing war, many European countries expressed interest in returning. In January 1940, Finland became the first country to agree to reopen its pavilion, while West Virginia was the first U.S. state to lease additional space. More than thirty nations had agreed to return to the fair by the end of the next month. Several exhibits were also added, including a China pavilion and a European center. Conversely, 11 nations—several of which had been invaded during World War II—did not return, and nine U.S. states also withdrew. Most commercial exhibitors agreed to reopen their exhibits, and some planned to enlarge or modify their exhibits. Almost all major exhibitors with their own pavilions renewed their leases for the 1940 season, while most of the exhibitors who had withdrawn were more likely to be renting space from the WFC. The commission also signed agreements with several trade unions to avert strikes and disputes; there was a brief strike in April 1940, while the fairground was preparing to reopen.
The fair was rebranded as the World's Fair 1940 in New York for its second season. The WFC decided to focus more heavily on amusement attractions, and it added theaters and free shows. The Amusement Area was reduced in size and rebranded as the "Great White Way", a reference to Broadway theatre. The transportation zone was renovated for more than $2 million. Several exhibits were added or expanded, and some pavilions were repaired due to deterioration. Twenty thousand hotel rooms were added in New York City prior to the 1940 season, and La Guardia promoted low-cost hotel rooms to fairgoers. Low-cost eateries were also added. The fair's construction superintendent estimated that the upgrades would cost $8 million. The WFC began selling one million souvenir ticket books on April 11, 1940, and the next week, it began selling discounted tickets to students across the U.S. By the end of April, all of the attractions in the Amusement Area had been leased, and half a million advance tickets had been sold or ordered.
1940 season
Originally, the second season was supposed to open on May 25, 1940, and be one month shorter than the first season. WFC officials claimed that the late opening date would coincide with warmer weather and the end of the school year. Following requests from organizations, the WFC agreed to open the fair two weeks earlier. The fair's police force was downsized for the 1940 season due to low crime rates, and the overall number of staff was reduced to 5,500. According to Gibson, at least 40 million visitors needed to attend during 1940 for the WFC to break even. In contrast to the more formal atmosphere that had characterized the first season, the second season had a more informal, "folksy" atmosphere. Additionally, the international area included exhibits from 43 countries, plus the Pan-American Union and League of Nations. Adults paid 50 cents, while children paid 25 cents; children's admission was reduced to 10 cents on "Children's Days". To entice people to attend the fair, several local business groups and hotels randomly gave 170 automobiles to visitors.
The World's Fair reopened on May 11 and recorded 191,196 visitors on that day. The reopening ceremonies were broadcast on radio stations across the U.S., and La Guardia sponsored a citywide celebration for the fair's reopening. In the first few weeks of the 1940 season, the WFC sold off most of its outstanding debt from the previous season. By the end of June, the WFC wished to reorganize itself and pare its workforce due to lower-than-expected revenue; as such, 500 employees were dismissed. In addition, due to an increase in federal tax rates, amusement concessionaires increased the ticket prices for their rides. The fair's restaurateurs generally absorbed the losses from the higher taxes instead of raising food prices. On July 4, 1940, two NYPD officers investigating a time bomb at the British Pavilion died when the bomb detonated; the bombing was never solved, and visitors were largely unaware that it had even occurred. Following the bombing, security outside European countries' pavilions was increased. Later the same month, the WFC began surveying the fair's buildings, with plans to demolish them.
At the midpoint of the season, in August 1940, the WFC had to postpone paying a dividend to its bondholders. In large part due to inclement weather, some concessionaires considered closing their attractions, and the fair had recorded nearly 3 million fewer visitors during the 1940 season compared with the equivalent time period in 1939. The WFC planned to distribute posters advertising the fair, and bondholders agreed to waive $14.5 million of the WFC's debt. The WFC also began selling off materials and memorabilia from the fair. Daily attendance increased gradually, and the fair recorded the ten-millionth visitor of the season at the end of August. By then, Gibson said the fair had made over $2.5 million in profit, despite Moses's claim that the fair was about to go bankrupt. The WFC had drawn up detailed plans for clearing the site by the beginning of October, and the corporation's executive leadership agreed to oversee the site-clearing process.
To promote the fair, hundreds of American newspapers printed discounted tickets that could be redeemed on October 6; the promotion attracted nearly 350,000 visitors on that day. The city government also provided free tickets to adults who were receiving welfare payments through the Home Relief program. By the middle of that month, the fair's second season had recorded a $4.15 million net profit. In the fair's last week, the WFC hosted extravagant shows such as fireworks displays. The fair had 537,952 visitors on its final day, October 27, 1940. The day afterward, passersby were allowed to tour the grounds for $2. In total, the fair had recorded 19,115,713 million visitors during 1940; even accounting for the second season's shorter duration, it had fewer daily visitors on average than in 1939. During the 1940 season, attendance had exceeded 100,000 on only 59 days. The fair had attracted just over 45 million visitors across both seasons. The 1940 season also recorded little crime, with 96 arrests and one violent crime (the July 4 bombing).
- 1939 World's Fair ephemera
- This 1940 general admission ticket also included visits to "5 concessions" (listed on backside)
- Ticket backside
- Trylon and Perisphere on 1939 US stamp
Fairground
The fairground was divided into seven geographic or thematic zones, five of which had "focal exhibits", and there were two focal exhibits housed in their own buildings. The plan called for wide tree-lined pathways converging on the Trylon and Perisphere, the fair's symbol and primary theme center. The Trylon and Perisphere were the only structures on the fairground that were painted completely white; the buildings in the surrounding zones were color-coded. The fairground had 34 miles (55 km) of sidewalks and 17 miles (27 km) of roads, in addition to dozens of miles of sewers, water mains, gas mains, and electrical ducts. About 850 phone booths were scattered across the fairground. There were 11 entrances to the grounds during the 1939 season and 13 entrances during the 1940 season.
Landscape features
From the start, Moses wanted to convert the site into a park after the fair, and the fairground's landscape architect, Gilmore David Clarke, had designed the fairground with this expectation in mind. The central portion of the old Flushing ash dumps became the main fairground, while the southern section of the dumps became the narrow Amusement Area, located on the shore of Meadow (Fountain) Lake. The fairground used up to 400,000 cubic yards (310,000 m) of topsoil from the New York City area, as well as salty, acidic soil dredged from the bottom of Flushing Meadows Park's lagoons. The fairground included 250 acres (100 ha) of lawns and a wide range of topiary and deciduous trees. Around 10,000 trees were transplanted to the fairground, of which more than 97 percent survived the 1939 season. There were no evergreen trees because it was not open during the winter, and the site also did not have rare plants.
The fairground contained 1 million plants, 1 million bulbs, 250,000 shrubs, and 10,000 trees. The site had 7,000 American camassias, 48,000 scillas, and 50,000 narcissi, and there were several formal gardens as well, with roses, yew, and other plants. In addition, the Netherlands donated a million tulip bulbs to the fair, though the tulips were destroyed and replaced with other plantings the month after the 1939 season opened. The Washington Post estimated that the WFC spent some $150,000 (equivalent to $3,286,000 in 2023) on plants at the fair. There were also around 50 landscaped gardens. Some of these fountains included water features such as fountains, pools, and brooks. For the 1940 season, annuals and trees were added instead of the tulips, and a woodland garden was added.
Despite the fair's futuristic theme, the fairground's layout—with streets radiating from the theme center—was heavily inspired by classical architecture. Some streets in the fairground were named after notable Manhattan thoroughfares or American historical figures, while others were named based on their function. A central esplanade called Constitution Mall was planned as part of the fairground, running between the Grand Central Parkway to the west and Lawrence Street in Flushing to the east. A curving road named Rainbow Avenue connected the color-coded zones, linking the paths that radiated from the theme center. At the eastern end of the mall was the Central Mall Lagoon, an 800-foot-long (240 m) elliptical lake with fountains. In the southern half of the fairground, the Flushing River was dredged to create Meadow and Willow lakes. Several of the fair's fountains had water jets with gas burners, which were illuminated by colored lights. Nightly light shows, with music, took place at the Lagoon of Nations as well.
Pavilions and attractions
Main article: 1939 New York World's Fair pavilions and attractionsPavilions and attractions generally fell into one of three categories: exhibits sponsored by the WFC or private companies; government exhibits; and amusement attractions. The WFC subleased the land to exhibitors, charging different rates based on the sites' proximity to major paths. There were 1,500 exhibitors on the fair's opening day, representing about 40 industries. Because the fairground was built atop swampy land, many of the largest buildings had to be placed on steel-and-concrete decks, pilings, or caissons. Thousands of Douglas fir timbers were driven into the ground to act as pilings for the fair structures. In addition to the pavilions and amusement rides, the fairground had a marina, as well as hundreds of fountains, toilets, and benches.
The fair had about 375 buildings, of which 100 were developed by the WFC; the commission reserved about 500,000 square feet (46,000 m) for its own structures. The buildings included design features such as domes, spirals, buttresses, porticos, rotundas, tall pylons, and corkscrew-shaped ramps. Many buildings' steel frames were bolted together so they could be easily disassembled. Most of the attractions were in the central exhibit area, covering 390 acres (160 ha). The pavilions were mostly illuminated by artificial light; most of the illumination came from 30 miles (48 km) of fluorescent lighting tubes, though some attractions used mercury lamps or fluorescent pylons. Additional pinwheel-shaped lights and 10,000 more lightbulbs were installed for the 1940 season.
Zones
Ford pavilionRCA Exhibit BuildingThe Trylon and Perisphere theme center was designed by Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz; the Trylon was a 610-foot (190 m) tower (originally designed to be 700 feet tall), while the Perisphere was a sphere 180 feet (55 m) across. North of the theme center was the Communications and Business Systems Zone, which was centered on the Communications Building, a structure flanked by 160-foot-high (49 m) pylons.
The Community Interest Zone was located just east of the Communications & Business Systems Zone. The region's exhibits showcased several trades or industries that were popular among the public at the time, such as home furnishings, plumbing, contemporary art, cosmetics, gardens, the gas industry, fashion, jewelry, and religion.
The Government Zone was located at the east end of the fair, on the eastern bank of the Flushing River. It contained a centrally located Court of Peace, a Lagoon of Nations, and a smaller Court of States. The Hall of Nations consisted of eight buildings, which flanked the Court of Peace. Countries could build their own pavilions, lease space in the Hall of Nations, or do both. Most of the U.S. state pavilions were located around the Court of States, which had a lagoon, and replicated notable buildings or architectural styles in each state.
Southwest of the Government Zone was the Food Zone, composed of 13 buildings. Its focal exhibit, Food No. 3, had four shafts representing wheat stalks.
The Production and Distribution Zone was dedicated to showcasing industries that specialized in manufacturing and distribution. The focal exhibit was the Consumers Building (also the Consumer Interests Building), an L-shaped structure illustrated with murals by Francis Scott Bradford. Numerous individual companies hosted exhibitions in this region. There were also pavilions dedicated to generic industries, such as electrical products, industrial science, pharmaceuticals, metals, and men's apparel.
The Transportation Zone was located west of the Theme Center, across the Grand Central Parkway. It was connected to the rest of the fairground by two crossings known as the Bridge of Wheels and the Bridge of Wings. The focal exhibit of the Transportation Zone was a Chrysler exhibit group. The Transportation Zone also included large exhibits by companies such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors, in addition to buildings for the aviation, railroad, and maritime industries.
The Amusement Area was located south of the World's Fair Boulevard, covering 230 acres (93 ha) or 280 acres (110 ha) on the east shore of Fountain Lake. This area was shaped like a horseshoe surrounding Meadow Lake, and it lacked a traditional midway; instead, it was divided into more than a dozen themed zones. The Amusement Area contained numerous bars, restaurants, miniature villages, musical programs, dance floors, rides, and arcade attractions. Due to the popularity of nude or seminude performances at the Golden Gate International Exposition, similar shows were presented in the Amusement Area.
Standalone exhibits and structures
There were two focal exhibits that were not located within any zone. The first was the Medical and Public Health Building on Constitution Mall and the Avenue of Patriots (immediately northeast of the Theme Center), which contained several halls dedicated to health. The other was the Science and Education Building, just north of the Medical and Public Health Building. The administration building was at the western end of the fairground, and there was also a Manufacturers Trust bank branch.
Transportation
Whalen predicted in late 1936 that these lines needed to be able to handle as many as 800,000 visitors per day, though he predicted an average of 250,000 daily visitors. As such, several public transit lines were built or upgraded to serve the fair. A special subway line, the Independent Subway System's (IND) World's Fair Line was constructed; it operated as a spur of the IND Queens Boulevard Line and was dismantled after the fair ended. The Willets Point station on the Flushing Line was rebuilt to handle fair traffic on the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) and Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit (BMT) systems. A special fleet of 50 World's Fair Lo-V subway cars were built, and the existing Q-type Queens subway cars were rebuilt to provide additional service on the Flushing Line. A Long Island Rail Road station (now Mets–Willets Point) was built next to the Flushing Line station. In addition, Queens-Nassau Transit Lines bought 55 buses to serve passengers heading to the fairground, and a water taxi service traveled to the fair from City Island, Bronx.
There were also several modes of transit traveling around the fairground itself. General Motors manufactured 100 buses specifically for the fair; Exposition Greyhound Lines operated the buses, which connected with each of the fairground's entrances. The original plan called for two bus routes, though this was expanded to seven routes soon after the fair opened. There were also tractor trains that traveled along the fairground's paths, as well as tour buses that gave one-hour-long tours of the fair. In addition, visitors could rent one of 500 rolling chairs, each of which had space for one or two people. Boats also traveled around Fountain Lake (now Meadow Lake), stopping at seven piers. For a fee, visitors could ride a 40-passenger motorboat across Meadow Lake to the Florida pavilion.
Several highway and road improvements were conducted in advance of the World's Fair. These included the completion of Horace Harding Boulevard, the opening of the Bronx–Whitestone Bridge and Whitestone Expressway, the extension of Grand Central Parkway, and the widening of Queens Boulevard. Markers were placed at intersections throughout the city to direct motorists to the fairground, and several highways to the fairground were outfitted with amber lights. Maps also touted the fairground's proximity to five airports and seaplane bases. During the fair, the Civil Aeronautics Authority temporarily banned most planes from flying over the fairground, except for planes taking off or arriving at the nearby airports.
Culture
Themes and icons
The fair was themed to "the world of tomorrow". The colors blue and orange, the official colors of New York City, were chosen as the official colors of the fair. The fair's official seal depicted the Statue of Liberty with her torch, which was available in multiple color scheme. The fair's official flag was originally a triband with a blue bar flanked by orange bars; there was a white seal in the center of the blue bar.
Another theme of the fair was the emerging new middle class. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation produced the film The Middleton Family at the New York World's Fair, which depicted a fictional Midwestern family, the Middletons, taking in the fair. The Perisphere's Democracity exhibition envisioned middle-class "Pleasantvilles" arranged around a central hub.
Arts
Music
The WFC established a music advisory committee for the fair in 1937, which was led by the conductor Allen Wardwell. The music advisory committee proposed hosting a festival at the fairground and other places in New York City. About 500 groups signed up to perform at the fair, and music festivals also took place at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan. New York Times music critic Olin Downes was the fair's music director; he selected Hugh Ross to organize recitals and concerts at the Temple of Religion. Eugene La Barre led the World's Fair band, which was composed of 56 musicians, and the WFC held a competition to select three songs for the band to perform. Unlike in the 1939 season, the fair had no organized music program during 1940. Instead, the fair's orchestra played songs on request during 1940; on an average day, they received more than 1,200 requests and played over 200 songs.
Several theme songs were written for the fair, none of which caught on. William Grant Still recorded the song "Rising Tide", a three-minute tune that was played continuously during the 1939 season. "Dawn of a New Day", one of George Gershwin's final songs, was also recorded for the fair. La Barre's "For Peace and Freedom" was selected as the 1940 season's theme song.
Films and stage shows
The fair hosted eight musical shows during the 1939 season and seven musicals during 1940. For instance, Billy Rose staged his Aquacade musical, and the fair had a musical pageant called the American Jubilee. In addition, The Hollywood Reporter estimated that 500 movies would be screened at the fair; ultimately, exhibitors screened 612 films during the first season. The fair had 34 auditoriums during the 1939 season, which were operated by 19 nations' governments, in addition to industrial exhibitors and city-government agencies. During the 1940 season, the fairground had 30 movie-theater auditoriums with an estimated 6,200 seats. The fair showcased not only feature films but also non-theatrical motion pictures, including both silent films and sound films. These motion pictures were all shot on 16 mm and 35 mm film.
Visual art and sculpture
From the outset, the fairground was planned to include decorations, particularly large murals, sculptures, and reliefs. Initially, however, there were no plans to exhibit contemporary art at the fair. After observers criticized the fair's lack of formal art galleries, Whalen agreed to include a community art center, and the WFC also held art competitions for muralists and sculptors. Eight hundred contemporary American artworks from the 48 states were exhibited at the fair during 1939, and a rotating display of American art was showcased in 1940. At the Masterpieces of Art building were hundreds of rare paintings; during the 1940 season, even more paintings were shown. The WFC bought some of the fair's artwork and distributed it across the U.S. after the fair. In addition, foreign governments sponsored exhibits of sculptures and visual art in their respective pavilions.
Whalen, who was determined that the fair should "not represent the work of any one person or school", employed 181 visual artists, designers, and architects. Many of the buildings' facades were decorated with murals, commissioned by both the WFC and individual exhibitors in about 100 colors. There were about 105 murals at the fair, which measured as large as 250 by 60 feet (76 by 18 m). The murals were executed in a variety of materials, such as metal strips, mosaic tiles, and paint. The WFC's board of design approved murals based on how well they harmonized with the surrounding buildings; for example, murals near the theme center were designed in muted colors, while murals on modern-style buildings were more colorful. Although artists could design murals even if they were not part of a labor union, only union members could paint the actual murals. The New York Times called it "the largest program of exterior mural painting ever undertaken", while the New York Herald Tribune said that "never before has mural decoration been attempted on so large or lively a scale". Works Progress Administration artists painted murals for the fair as well. Ernest Peixotto oversaw the development of the murals and the fair's color-coding system.
The fair also included 174 sculptures. The largest statue at the fair was James Earle Fraser's 65-foot-tall (20 m) sculpture of George Washington, which stood in the middle of the fair's Constitution Mall. The Times credited Lee Lawrie—who oversaw the installation of the fair's artwork—with describing the sculptures as "an essential part of the fair". Three of the sculptures were intended to be preserved after the fair: Robert Foster's Textile, Lawrence Tenney Stevens's The Tree of Life, and Waylande Gregory's Fountain of the Atom. Textile depicted an abstract sheet-steel figure, The Tree of Life was carved out of a 60-foot-tall (18 m) elm tree, and Fountain of the Atom consisted of small ceramic figures. Various temporary sculptures, many of which were made of plaster, were placed on buildings.
Consumer products
The fair focused significantly on consumer products that happened to include scientific innovations, rather than presenting scientific innovations in their own right. Products shown at the fair included RCA televisions, a Crosley vehicle from 1940, and a Novachord organ manufactured by The Hammond Organ Company, along with nylon, cellophane, and Lucite. Other objects included Vermeer's painting The Milkmaid from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, a streamlined pencil sharpener, a diner (still in operation as the White Mana in Jersey City, New Jersey), a futuristic car-based city by General Motors, and the first fully constructed computer game. In addition, older objects were displayed at the fair, such as a model of the world's first bicycle.
Electronics were showcased at the fair. The IBM exhibit displayed the Radiotype writing machine, and RCA displayed various types of machinery in a "television laboratory". RCA and NBC agreed to host television demonstrations at the World's Fair. These TVs displayed several programs, including the first televised Major League Baseball game; a program from WRGB-TV in Schenectady, New York; and performances of the play When We Are Married. Westinghouse's exhibit featured Elektro the Moto-Man, a robot that talked, differentiated colors, and smoked cigarettes. Bell Labs' Voder, a keyboard-operated speech synthesizer, was demonstrated at the fair. Other futuristic exhibits included General Electric's home of tomorrow, as well as the 15 homes in the Tomorrow Town exhibit.
Food
For the 1939 season, there were at least 40 restaurants with a combined 23,000 seats, in addition to 261 refreshment stands. Cuisine from 24 participating countries was served at the fair. These included caviar in the Romanian and Polish pavilions; borscht, blini, and pelmeni from the Soviet pavilion; soufflés from the French pavilion; smorgasbords from the Swedish pavilion; and kebabs and honey desserts from the Albanian pavilion. A New York Times article from 1964 characterized bicarbonate of soda as the 1939 fair's most popular soda. The WFC also awarded quick-service food concessions to companies such as Childs Restaurants, Longchamps, and the Brass Rail. The concessions included 80 hot-dog stands, in addition to 59 soda stalls, 38 root beer stands, and 25 popcorn stands.
The city government also appointed 36 inspectors to enforce food safety at the fair. During the fair's first season, there were complaints that the food was too expensive; one New York Times report found that restaurants were charging as much as $2.50 (equivalent to $54.76 in 2023) for à la carte meals. For the 1940 season, there were 70 restaurants and between 150 and 235 concession stands at the fair. The WFC introduced regulations during the second season, restricting restaurateurs from drastically increasing food prices. Throughout both seasons, the fair sold an estimated 16.2 million hot dogs, 8.3 million burgers, 5.1 million doughnuts, and 2.7 million cups of beer.
Other events
Participating countries, U.S. states and territories, New York counties, businesses, and organizations were given special theme days at the fair, during which celebrations were held. A different button was issued for each theme day. During the fair, there were fireworks displays on the lagoon, as well as colorful searchlights illuminating Meadow Lake.
The fair coincided with the 1st World Science Fiction Convention, which took place at the Caravan Hall in Manhattan on July 2–4, 1939. In addition, on July 3, 1940, the fair hosted "Superman Day", which included an athletic contest and a public appearance by an actor portraying Superman. Broadway actor Ray Middleton, who served as a judge for the contest, is credited with having appeared in the Superman costume on Superman Day, but this is disputed. Sporting events throughout the New York City area were also planned in conjunction with the World's Fair, and the WFC sponsored a sports camp for boys during both seasons.
Aftermath
Site and structures
Further information: 1939 New York World's Fair pavilions and attractions § Preserved pavilions and attractionsDemolition began the day after the fair ended. Almost all structures had to be removed within 120 days of the fair's closure, and the vast majority of structures were dismantled or moved shortly after the fair's final day. Valuable exhibits, artwork, and historic artifacts were relocated. On October 29, hundreds of workers went on strike to protest the removal of equipment, which delayed all work on the site. The strike ended after ten days. Within a month of the fair's closure, many of the structures had been demolished, and workers were restoring the landscape. Cables and other materials were removed and sold for scrap, and there were proposals to melt down the buildings' structural steel into scrap metal for the U.S. war effort. During the fair's demolition, five men were killed when one of the buildings' ceilings collapsed.
Despite a citywide moratorium on new construction, La Guardia provided funding to convert the fairground into parkland, although only $750,000 was provided for this purpose. Work on the park began in December 1940, and Flushing Meadows Park opened the next year. The park hosted the 1964 New York World's Fair, which began on April 22, 1964, and ended on October 17, 1965; the site again reverted to park use in 1967. The NYPD's Flushing Meadows precinct was disbanded in 1952, but the Queens traffic division (which had been established to manage traffic during the fair) continued until 1972.
Seven structures were preserved as part of the park. By the 1960s, only two of the fair's original structures remained, the New York City Pavilion and the Billy Rose's Aquacade amphitheater, though the Aquacade was torn down in the 1990s. The fair's esplanade, five bridges, and the World's Fair Marina were preserved as well, but the fountains were demolished. Many amusement rides were sold to Luna Park at Coney Island; the Parachute Jump was sold and relocated to Steeplechase Park, also in Coney Island. Other buildings that were relocated included a structure from the fair's Town of Tomorrow exhibit, as well as the Belgian Building. Some of the buildings' glass bricks were salvaged and used elsewhere. Furniture, equipment, and decorations were sold off. There were suggestions to preserve additional buildings as a training military camp, but the United States Armed Forces had rejected the idea.
Foreign exhibits and staff
Initially, the U.S. government had not imposed customs duties on foreign exhibits because it anticipated that the exhibits would be repatriated after the fair. Customs duties were imposed on exhibits that remained in the U.S. after the fair. Afterward, the exhibits could be sent back to their home country, retained in the U.S., destroyed, or sold. However, many nations could not send their exhibits back home due to World War II, and President Roosevelt had temporarily frozen the assets of seven foreign exhibitors because their countries had been invaded. Many European pavilions' staff were also unable to return home due to the war; The New York Times estimated that 350 foreign staffers could not easily return home, while the New York Herald Tribune put the number of affected employees at 400. In response, U.S. representative John J. Delaney introduced legislation in October 1940 to allow these workers to remain in the U.S.
Several countries in German-occupied Europe donated or lent their World's Fair exhibits to institutions across the United States. Most of the Polish pavilion's items were sold by the Polish Government in exile to the Polish Museum of America, except for the monument of the Polish–Lithuanian King Jagiełło. which was reinstalled in Central Park. The British pavilion's copy of the Magna Carta remained in the U.S., and a panel from that pavilion depicting George Washington's lineage was sent to the Library of Congress. In addition, some French artwork displayed at the fair was lent to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, and other artwork from that pavilion was displayed at the Riverside Museum. Three French restaurants from the fair—La Caravelle, Le Pavillon, and La Côte Basque—reopened in Manhattan. Objects from the Swedish, Turkish, and Canadian pavilions were also retained in New York City.
The WFC also had to dispose of Axis countries' exhibits. The U.S. government seized the Italian State Railways' train display and melted it down for scrap, while it sold off binoculars from the Czechoslovak pavilion and wine from the Rumania pavilion to pay customs duties. There were several unsuccessful attempts to give away the Italian pavilion's Guglielmo Marconi monument, and the Hungarian pavilion's statue of Saint Istvan was not given away until 1956.
Profitability and dissolution of WFC
When the fair closed, the WFC initially predicted that the fair would recoup 38.4% of its cost (later revised to 39.2%). The WFC ultimately recovered only 32% of its original expenditure. Despite the fair's overall unprofitability, the Amusement Area recorded a net profit. In total, the WFC earned $3.9 million during the 1939 season and $3.4 million during the 1940 season. The WFC paid bondholders $2.08 million in early 1941 and made their final payments to bondholders in June 1942. For several years, the WFC retained a small staff to close out its financial accounts. The corporation was not formally dissolved until August 1944; at the time of its dissolution, the WFC owed shareholders $19 million.
Impact
Reception
When the fair was being developed, The Washington Post wrote in 1936 that the fair would give New York City a permanent public park, while the "visitors will get an eyeful beyond their fondest imagination and the hotel-keepers will get a pocketful" of money. The Post wrote in 1938 that the fair would become "the cynosure of millions upon millions", while The New York Times said the event "will still be a great fair" even if half the buildings were never built. Another newspaper wrote that the fair (along with the Golden Gate Exposition) would be "two stunning examples of science in action". Just before the fair opened, The Scotsman wrote that, despite the ongoing Nazi conquest of Europe, workers at the 1939 fair "still the world of to-day has possibilities of progress".
Upon the fair's opening, a Washington Post writer praised the fairground's futuristic architecture and landscaping, even while stating that "there is also architecture on which the classicist can rest his peepers". The New York Times reported that European countries regarded the fair as an opportunity to display "its particular political views before the American public under the guise of good-will and commercial display". In an August 1939 Gallup poll of the fair's visitors, 84% of respondents said they wanted to return, while only 3% disliked the fair.
When the fair closed, the Baltimore Sun wrote in 1940 that "the World's Fair was devoted to the arts of peace, and this is time of war". A decade after the fair, one writer for the New York Herald Tribune said the expo had "become for many of us a symbol of the past", in large part because of the war that followed. In 1964, one New York Times writer said the 1939 fair had been envisioned in an era "that had in its calendar no World War II, no Hiroshima, no Korea, no fires in Africa and Asia". The design critic Paul Goldberger, writing about the fair in 1980, described the fair as significant for the products introduced there and for its architecture, while a Newsday critic wrote the same year that the fair had provided hope at a time when everyone was fearful of the war. Robert A. M. Stern wrote in his 1987 book New York 1930 that "the fair was seen as little more than a transitory good-time place".
Economic and regional influence
To limit excessive real-estate development around the fairground, city officials requested in early 1936 that the neighborhoods around Flushing Meadows be rezoned as residential areas. The Board of Estimate voted in 1937 to enact zoning restrictions around the fair, which prevented the construction of high-rise buildings around the site and created a buffer zone around the fairground. The same year, the city restricted businesses from operating within 1,000 feet (300 m) of the fairground. One New York Times writer wrote in 1938 that, although residential development in Queens was increasing, this was due to the presence of new transport links, rather than because of the fair. After the fair began, commercial activity around Flushing, Queens, also increased, and real-estate prices there increased several times over.
Grover Whalen predicted that the fair would attract 50 million visitors who would spend $1 billion in total. The WFC projected in 1936 that it would lose $3.9 million if the fair recorded 40 million visitors and that it would earn at least $1 million if it had 50 million or more visitors. Numerous retailers on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan renovated their buildings for the fair, and room rates at local hotels were also increased. By May 1939, real-estate figures predicted that the fair would earn between $1 billion and $1.5 billion for the city's economy. The New York City Council also proposed waiving sales taxes for exhibitors during the fair, though La Guardia vetoed the bill for being too vague. The state legislature predicted that the fair would spur business throughout New York state, and Whalen predicted that the fair would increase total spending across the U.S. by $10 billion. During the fair, the New York state government sought to attract visitors to other parts of the state, such as the Finger Lakes, Adirondack Mountains, and Catskill Mountains.
During the 1939 season, New York City saw both increased vehicular traffic and public-transit use, even though the city actually had fewer commuters (continuing a decade-long trend). Vehicular traffic in Manhattan south of 61st Street increased during the fair, as did hotel-room bookings in the city. The exposition also spurred increased spending in New York City and was indirectly connected with Queens's further development. Although most tourists to New York City in 1939 came specifically for the fair, the rest of the city also saw increased tourism in 1940.
Media and archives
After the fair, documents and films from the event were sent to New York Public Library, where they are still maintained. The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., described the 1939 fair in its exhibition Designing Tomorrow: America's World's Fairs of the 1930s, which ran from October 2010 to September 2011. In addition, the Queens Museum hosted a retrospective exhibit about the fair in 1980. Private collectors have amassed a large amount of memorabilia from the fair. These include print media such as guidebooks, posters, and programs, in addition to everyday objects such as pens, ashtrays, maps, and puzzles.
The 1939 New York World's Fair has been dramatized in books such as David Gelernter's 1995 novel 1939-The Lost World of the Fair. There have also been several nonfiction books about the fair, including Barbara Cohen, Steven Heller, amd Seymour Chwast's 1989 book Trylon and Perisphere and James Mauro's 2010 book Twilight at the World of Tomorrow. In addition, objects and footage from the event are shown in the 1984 documentary The World of Tomorrow.
See also
- Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations – 1853 World's Fair in Bryant Park, New York City
- List of world expositions
References
Notes
- The committee was composed of Stephen F. Voorhees, Gilmore D. Clarke, William Delano, Jay N. Downer, Robert D. Kohn, and Walter Dorwin Teague.
- Sources variously cite the fair as having recorded 146, 147, or 158 arrests in 1939.
- Other sources give figures as low as 150 or 200 buildings.
- The Trylon was originally designed to be 700 feet (210 m) tall, and the Perisphere was originally supposed to be 200 feet (61 m) in diameter.
- Namely Floyd Bennett Field, Flushing Airport, Holmes Airport, North Beach Airport, and Port Washington Seaplane Airport.
- Namely the New York City Building, Aquacade amphitheater, B.F. Goodrich Pavilion, House of Jewels, Masterpieces of Art building, Japanese Pavilion, and Polish Pavilion's tower.
Citations
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- "Holds World Fair Tag Invalid". The New York Times. January 28, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
-
- For the 1939 plates, see: "Car Fair Ads to Continue; 1939 Auto Plates Also Expected to Bear Protested Legend". The New York Times. February 10, 1938. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- For the 1940 plates, see: "1940 Plates to Retain World's Fair Legend". The New York Times. March 28, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- "Fashions to Show World Fair Motif; Wide Range of Themes". The New York Times. March 12, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- Byrnes, Robert D. (March 12, 1939). "N. Y. World's Fair Stamp First Day Sale April 1: Will Be Same Size As Golden Gate Exposition Stamp --Nine Foreign Governments Participating Will Issue Commemoratives Philately". The Hartford Courant. p. SM10. ProQuest 559177181; "Stamp for World's Fair; Trylon and Perisphere Appear in Design-- Paris Issues—The Philatelic Truck". The New York Times. March 12, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- "Broadcast Series For World's Fair". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. Vol. 15, no. 12. December 15, 1938. p. 28. ProQuest 1505619738; "Royalties to Boom World Fair by Radio". The Christian Science Monitor. December 12, 1938. p. 5. ProQuest 514734466.
- Spiegel, Irving (October 27, 1940). "Airing the Fair; Radio Has Spent $14,000,118 in Pick-Ups From Flushing Meadows, Report States". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- Wasson 2012, p. 91.
- "Fair Designers Roam Cosmos For Ideas on 1939 Ground Plan". New York Herald Tribune. July 16, 1936. p. 19. ProQuest 1237424340.
- "Lehman Makes Appointments For World Fair: Names 6 Commissioners to Fill Group of 16 on State's Participation". New York Herald Tribune. August 4, 1936. p. 16. ProQuest 1237414061; "Evicters' Big Day Ends in Waterloo; Sheriff's Men Oust Tavern, Gas Station and Houseboat From World's Fair Site". The New York Times. August 4, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Contest Starts For World Fair Building Design: $4,250 in Prizes Is Offered in Attempt to Bring to Light Unknown Talent". New York Herald Tribune. September 10, 1936. p. 25. ProQuest 1222092642; "Fair Opens Contest; Architects Are Invited to Offer Designs for $1,000 Prize". The New York Times. September 11, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "World's Fair Building Contest Awards Made: G. L. Paine, Jr., Gets First Prize For Design Typifying 1939 Fair". Women's Wear. Vol. 53, no. 94. November 11, 1936. p. 6. ProQuest 1653943149; "World Fair Awards Made for Designs; G.L. Paine Jr. Gets $1,000 – First Prize Withheld Because of Collaboration". The New York Times. November 11, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Whalen Visions 50,000,000 at World's Greatest Fair". Times Union. September 17, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "Whalen Promises New Kind of Fair; Plan and Theme Nearly Ready, He Announces at Luncheon of Advertising Club". The New York Times. September 18, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "World's Fair to Cost About $125,000,000". The Wall Street Journal. October 9, 1936. p. 4. ProQuest 128793649.
- ^ "World's Fair Theme To Be The World of Tomorrow: Plans for $125,000,000 1,200-Acre Blueprint of Future of Mankind Are Approved by Directors". New York Herald Tribune. October 9, 1936. p. 1. ProQuest 1240271438; "Fair of 1939 Will Depict The 'World of Tomorrow'". The New York Times. October 9, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024; Weer, William (October 9, 1936). "Model of Exposition Shown to Directors". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 12. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Investment Total to Be $125,000,000; Federal, State and City Aid $35,000,000 for Buildings and Other Improvements". The New York Times. October 9, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Contract Signing Marks Start Of 1939 World's Fair: Preview of the New York World's Fair of 1939". The Christian Science Monitor. October 22, 1936. p. 7. ProQuest 514199372; "First Contract Let for Fair Building; Whalen Signs for Erection of Administration Structure to Cost $900,000". The New York Times. October 22, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Philip Benson Named to Board of World's Fair". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. November 6, 1936. p. 21. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "France to Exhibit at 1939 World Fair: Her Announcement Through an Official at Dinner Here is First by Any Nation". The New York Times. November 6, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Roosevelt Invites Nations to '39 Fair". Times Union. November 16, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "Nations of World Are Bidden to Fair; President Issues Proclamation Inviting All Countries to Join 1939 Event Here". The New York Times. November 17, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Sale Of World's Fair Bonds In N.Y. Under Way: 2,000, Comprising "Who's Who" Of New York's Retail, Financial, Industrial Worlds, Attend Formal Launching". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 53, no. 103. November 24, 1936. pp. 2, 31. ProQuest 1653967501; "New Yorkers Urged to Buy $27,829,500 World Fair Bonds". The Christian Science Monitor. November 24, 1936. p. 2. ProQuest 514206321; "City Drive Opened for Bonds of Fair; Leaders Declare Investment Sound Financially and in Community Spirit". The New York Times. November 24, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Whalen Predicts Flushing to Gain by World's Fair". Times Union. November 19, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "N.Y. World Fair Named as Official Exposition in 1939: Invitations Go Abroad Building Requirements Nations Signify Plans". The Christian Science Monitor. December 5, 1936. p. 2. ProQuest 514250483; "World's Fair Wins International Aid; Gets a Clear Field for 1939 From Bureau of 21 Nations, Whalen Announces". The New York Times. December 4, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Lehman Invites States to Join in World's Fair". The Brooklyn Citizen. December 1, 1936. p. 3. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "All States Invited to Join 1939 Fair; Lehman Urges Exhibit by Each in Letters to Governors, Asking Their Participation". The New York Times. December 1, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Heavy Demand for World's Fair Space". The Billboard. Vol. 49, no. 3. January 16, 1937. p. 3. ProQuest 1032130797.
- "Designs Asked for Four World's Fair Buildings: Architectural Contracts Now Total $4.350.000". New York Herald Tribune. February 2, 1937. p. 19. ProQuest 1222255704; "4 Fair Contracts Made for Designs; Whalen Signs With Firms of Architects to Draw Plans for $1,475,000 Buildings". The New York Times. February 2, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Uniforms May Come And Go—But The World's Fair Already Has Model Selected". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 54, no. 58. March 25, 1937. p. 24. ProQuest 1653733297; "World's Fair Opens in Miniature Form; Complete Model of Grounds and Building Exhibited at Empire State Corner". The New York Times. March 30, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "New York World Fair Site Filling and Grading Done". The Christian Science Monitor. April 15, 1937. p. 2. ProQuest 514311583.
- "3 Sycamores First Trees Set For World Fair: 30-Foot Specimens From Bird in Hand, Pa., Here in Special Motor Trucks Group of 30 Purchased 10,000 To Be Planted Before Exposition Opens". New York Herald Tribune. April 3, 1937. p. 32. ProQuest 1337028922; "3 Rare Sycamores Set at Site of Fair; 40-Year-Old Trees Brought From Pennsylvania Are First of 10,000 to Be Planted". The New York Times. April 3, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "A. T. & T. Signs 1st Contract for Fair Exhibit Site: Gifford Gives Whalen Check for $48,790 for Parcel Fronting on Theme Plaza". New York Herald Tribune. April 27, 1937. p. 17A. ProQuest 1240320660.
- ^ "World Fair Space Leased by A. T. & T.; Gifford Turns Over $48,790 Check on First Contract for an Exhibit Site". The New York Times. April 27, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Notables See First Stone Laid for '39 Fair". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 28, 1937. p. 8. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "Cornerstone Laid for First Fair Unit; 1,000 Ignore Rainy Weather to Attend Ceremony Starting Administration Building". The New York Times. April 28, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "New York Fair Plans Auction For Concessions". The Christian Science Monitor. April 13, 1937. p. 2. ProQuest 514310117; "World Fair to Let Vast Concessions; $50,000,000 Enterprises to Be Awarded to High Bidders 5,000 Seek Space". The New York Times. April 13, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Patterson 1939, p. 87.
- "Ships to Serve as Fair Hotels". Times Union. May 19, 1937. p. 22. Retrieved July 26, 2024; "59 Nations Likely to Aid World Fair; Whalen, Home From Abroad, Predicts an Unprecedented Foreign Participation". The New York Times. May 19, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Fair Ousts Man Who Asserts He Originated It: Shadgen Says Officials Told Him He Was Incompetent, Ending His $5,000 Job". New York Herald Tribune. June 7, 1937. p. 3. ProQuest 1243544908; "World's Fair Ousts One of Its Planners; J. F. Shadgen, Engineer, Says He Sat at His Desk for Months With Nothing to Do". The New York Times. June 6, 1937. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "Fair Will Offer Carnival Zone Of 280 Acres: Amusement Facilities for 250,000 at One Time Planned at Queens Site". New York Herald Tribune. June 4, 1937. p. 44. ProQuest 1322398659; "Fair Amusements to Cover 280 Acres: Vast Loop Will Enclose Lake and Midway Atmosphere of Past Will Be Barred". The New York Times. June 4, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Parking Meld For Trailers At Fair Urged: Moses Sure No Commercial Tourist Camp Could Be Operated at a Profit". New York Herald Tribune. June 14, 1937. p. 13. ProQuest 1248714615; "Auto Trailer Zone at Fair is Planned; Moses Urges City to Acquire 43-Acre Tract and Start Work at Once". The New York Times. June 14, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Site is Dedicated for Peace Temple; Ground Broken at the World Fair for First Building for Cultural Purpose". The New York Times. July 23, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Office Building Opens For World's Fair Today: 600 of Administration Staff Start Work There Monday World's Fair Administration Building Ready for Occupancy on Monday". New York Herald Tribune. August 13, 1937. p. 36. ProQuest 1247045732; "Structure at Fair Dedicated Today; Administration Building, First to Be Completed, to Be Scene of Noon Ceremony". The New York Times. August 13, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Theme Center's Site Dedicated for World Fair". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 17, 1937. p. 26. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "'Theme Center' Site Dedicated For World Fair". New York Herald Tribune. August 17, 1937. p. 17. ProQuest 1323023566; "World Fair Space is 86% 'Spoken for'; Whalen Reveals Wide Backing at Dedication of the Plaza for Theme Center". The New York Times. August 17, 1937. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- "Utah First to Take Space In Fair's Hall of States: Italians Among Visitors to Flushing Meadows Site". New York Herald Tribune. September 26, 1937. p. 30. ProQuest 1318551425; "Utah First State to Take Fair Space; Signs Contract With Whalen--$37,500 Already Voted for Its Exhibition". The New York Times. September 26, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "Missouri Signs N.Y. Fair Contract". The Christian Science Monitor. September 16, 1937. p. 5. ProQuest 514452994; "Whalen Returns, Hopeful of Peace; Reports Results of His Trip to Europe in Interests of World's Fair Here". The New York Times. September 14, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "Earle Believes Europeans Do Not Want War". New York Herald Tribune. September 14, 1937. p. 3. ProQuest 1222260948; "Whalen Returns, Hopeful of Peace; Reports Results of His Trip to Europe in Interests of World's Fair Here". The New York Times. September 14, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "World's Fair Work Listed As Month Ahead of Time: Whalen Reports Commitments Total $10,500,000". New York Herald Tribune. October 18, 1937. p. 16. ProQuest 1254411243; "$10,500,000 Spent on the World Fair: Whalen Says Contracts Still to Be Let This Year Will Add $8,000,000". The New York Times. October 18, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "Fair Building Nucleus Rapidly Takes Shape". Daily News. November 7, 1937. p. 130. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Acres, Acres of Men at Work". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 6, 1937. p. 13. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Ford Reserves Plot for Exhibit at Fair; Auto Company Contracts for 298,718 Square Feet, the Most for One Concern". The New York Times. December 8, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "N.Y. Fair Space Taken By 60 Nations Already". The Christian Science Monitor. December 21, 1937. p. 6. ProQuest 514506362; "60 Nations Accept World's Fair Bids; League Is Included in Those Signing Contracts or Asking for Space Reservations". The New York Times. December 20, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Nickel Drinks Will Be a Nickel At World's Fair: Coca-Cola Contracts for 59 Stands and Will Serve Other Soft Beverages". New York Herald Tribune. January 17, 1938. p. 3. ProQuest 1337043993; "World's Fair Lets First Concession; Coca-Cola Company Rents 59 Carbonated Beverage Stands and Big Exhibit Space". The New York Times. January 17, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "World's Fair To Mass Troops Of All Nations: Whalen Says 50,000 Will Parade; Exposition Will Have Preview in' 3 Months". New York Herald Tribune. February 3, 1938. p. 1. ProQuest 1242864859; "World Fair Opening to Rival Coronation; Whalen Outlines Plans to Make Ceremony Here Example of Pomp and Grandeur". The New York Times. February 5, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "10,000 to Get Work Soon at World's Fair: 100 Buildings To Be Under Construction by End of April in Speed-Up Plan". New York Herald Tribune. February 15, 1938. p. 15. ProQuest 1250603314.
- ^ "New York's Great Fair Rising In Setting of Lavish Artistry: Preview of New York World's Fair". The Christian Science Monitor. April 15, 1938. p. 3. ProQuest 514781950.
- "1st Rivet Driven In Perisphere At World's Fair: Whalen, Stettinius, Aided by Catcher and Backer-Upper, Work Machinery to Start Theme Structure". New York Herald Tribune. April 9, 1938. p. 9. ProQuest 1242883982; "Fair Starts Work on Theme Center; Construction of Perisphere Begun as E. R. Stettinius Rivets First Bolt". The New York Times. April 9, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "1 st Cornerstone Of Foreign Unit At Fair Is Laid: Farouk's Uncle Officiates at Egyptian Pavilion Ceremonies; Work Starts Today on Perisphere and Trylon". New York Herald Tribune. April 8, 1938. p. 21. ProQuest 1242970268.
- "64 Nations to Exhibit: Several Designs Approved A Carillon Tower". The Christian Science Monitor. April 15, 1938. p. 3. ProQuest 514813608; "Four More Nations Join Worlds Fair; Eire, Venezuela, Lithuania and Sweden Sign Contracts for Exhibition Space". The New York Times. April 15, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Million Watch Motorcade in Preview for World's Fair". New York Herald Tribune. May 1, 1938. p. 1. ProQuest 1242903554; "1,000,000 Watch Preview Parade; Line Route as the Motorcade Winds From Battery Place to World Fair Site". The New York Times. May 1, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "300,000 View Fair Fireworks, Week Late, Without Traffic Jam". New York Herald Tribune. May 9, 1938. p. 1. ProQuest 1244635602; "Fireworks Dazzle 600,000 at Fair Site; Throng Quarter-Mile Deep Is Described as One of Largest Ever to Assemble Here". The New York Times. May 9, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "Fair Grounds Now Open Only On Week Ends: Admission To Be Charged to Pay Cost of Handling Visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays". New York Herald Tribune. May 14, 1938. p. 6. ProQuest 1244193559; "Westchester Soil is Stripped by Fair; Village Officials Protest at Making Potential 'Dust Bowl' of Wide Tracts". The New York Times. May 14, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Robbins, L. H. (May 1, 1938). "It Begins to Look Like a Great Fair!". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "General Outdoor: N. Y. World's Fair Amusement Zone Over Twice Size of Chi's; Officially Titled "The Loop"". The Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 42. October 15, 1938. p. 60. ProQuest 1032170337.
- "World's Fair Body's Contract Okehs Presage Fun Zone Start". The Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 25. June 18, 1938. p. 3. ProQuest 1032159863.
- "Strike at World's Fair Settled; Men Will Return to Jobs Today". New York Herald Tribune. July 19, 1938. p. 1. ProQuest 1244413859; "Strike Settled at World's Fair; 6,000 Men in Electrical and Construction Unions to Return to Jobs Today". The New York Times. July 19, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Truckmen Return Under Truce Today; Strikers Give Four Days to Settle Row, But Threaten General Tie-Up". The New York Times. September 22, 1938. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- "Fairs-Expositions: Much Midway Space Is Taken At World's Fair". The Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 35. August 27, 1938. pp. 46, 48. ProQuest 1032161767.
- "World's Fair Building Progress From Blueprints to All Colors". New York Herald Tribune. September 11, 1938. p. A3. ProQuest 1243091894.
- "First Display Unit Completed at Fair; H. J. Heinz Company Hails Construction of 150-Foot Dome in Flushing". The New York Times. October 16, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "World Fair Space Nearly All Sold; Only 600,000 of Its 3,000,000 Square Feet for Exhibits Remain, Whalen Says Byrd to Reproduce Camp". The New York Times. October 9, 1938. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "Fairs-Expositions: New York World's Fair May Be Busy Holiday for P. A.'s". The Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 49. December 3, 1938. pp. 35, 39. ProQuest 1032169240.
- ^ "Whalen Says World's Fair Is 90% Ready: To Open 15 Weeks From Today; Exhibit Area Is Just About Complete". New York Herald Tribune. January 15, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1243107723; "N. Y. World's Fair is 90% Completed: All Space in Main Exhibit Area is Allocated, Grover Whalen Reports Costs of Construction Cut 20% Under Original Estimates, He Says". The Baltimore Sun. January 15, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 543092013.
- "62 Foreign Flags Flown At Site of World's Fair". The New York Times. January 1, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Compere, Thomas (March 12, 1939). "Fair Will Pep Up Its Amusements With $1,000,000: Adopts More Liberal Policy Plans Foreign Villages". New York Herald Tribune. p. 2. ProQuest 1257476186.
- "Lights Gleaming in Mist Test Enchantment of Fair". The Christian Science Monitor. April 11, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 514924806; "World's Fair Lights Turned On, Make Site a Dreamland of Color: New Systems of Many-Hued Fluorescent Tubes, Especially Developed to Carry Out Effects of Exposition, Have First Large-Seale Try-Out Fountain of Flame in World's Fair Lagoon of Nations". New York Herald Tribune. April 11, 1939. p. 1A. ProQuest 1244864830.
- "World's Fair at Hand, Mayor Warns, Calling City to Spruce Up: April Set Aside As 'Dress Up, Paint Up Month LaGuardia's Proclamation Urges Public Particularly to Clear Vacant Lots". New York Herald Tribune. April 9, 1939. p. 24. ProQuest 1243015920; "Ford Off for Home After Fair Rites". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 6, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "16,000 at Work on World's Fair, Pay Roll Now $900,000 a Week: Concessions Rise Almost Like a Traveling Circus". New York Herald Tribune. April 18, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1247822956; "16,000 Workers Rush Job on World's Fair". The Standard-Star. April 18, 1939. p. 13. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Treasures Arrive for World's Fair; Most of the Foreign Exhibits, Worth $100,000,000, Are Already at Scene". The New York Times. April 20, 1939. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Rush Final Touches To World's Fair: Thousands Of Extra Workers Prepare Plenty To See, In Addition To Sunday's Gala Spectacle". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 58, no. 83. April 28, 1939. pp. 1, 6. ProQuest 1728692619.
- ^ "$156,000,000 Show: Eleven Gates Ready to Swing at the N. Y. World's Fair: Spectacle". Newsweek. Vol. 13, no. 18. May 1, 1939. pp. 46, 49. ProQuest 1796267678.
- "Pictures: Newsreels to Bally N.Y.'s '39 World Fair". Variety. Vol. 127, no. 4. July 7, 1937. p. 4. ProQuest 1505646066.
- ^ Robertson, Bruce (May 1, 1939). "Television Motif Marks New York Fair". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. Vol. 16, no. 9. pp. 20–21. ProQuest 1014928343.
- "Contract Let For Three Fair Publications: New York Company to Put Out Official Guide, Daily Program and a Souvenir for Exposition Visitors Parachute Jumps to Thrill Visitors to Fair". New York Herald Tribune. December 12, 1938. p. 17. ProQuest 1260673578; "Contracts Signed for Fair's Books; Exposition Publications Is to Put Out Guide, a Souvenir Volume and Daily Program". The New York Times. December 12, 1938. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "World's Fair Lists 17 Publications on Aspects of Exhibit: Whalen Announces Works of Educational and Scientific Type". New York Herald Tribune. December 24, 1938. p. 16. ProQuest 1258613666; "17 New Books Win Approval of Fair; List Includes Official GuideBook, Study of New York in Time of Washington Sponsored Volumes Listed Educational Features Discussed". The New York Times. December 25, 1938. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- Caro 1974, p. 1092.
- ^ "Unfair at Fair?: New York Unions Are Accused of Shaking Down Exhibitors". Newsweek. Vol. 13, no. 25. June 19, 1939. pp. 21–22. ProQuest 1796831853.
- "Fair to Provide Free First Aid Medical Care: Intoxicated visitors to Get Hangover-less Remedy 6 Stations Will Be Ready for Emergency Cases". New York Herald Tribune. October 20, 1938. p. 42. ProQuest 1256797402; "Long Island Plans 10c Ride to Fair; Facilities to Be Taxed". The New York Times. October 20, 1938. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "6 First-aid Units on Guard at Fair; Free Treatment Is Ready for Victims of Accidents—Five Ambulances on Duty". The New York Times. April 30, 1939. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "Valentine Sets Up New Police Precinct for Fair Area: Detail Reports Saturday for Duty in Corona Quarters in Schoolhouse; Exposition's Own Force to Onerate on Grounds". New York Herald Tribune. April 13, 1939. p. 13. ProQuest 1263346746; "Police-precinct Set Up for Fair; To Be Known as 110-A, It Will Occupy Former Corona School --Opening Set for Saturday". The New York Times. April 13, 1939. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- "Mayor Sets Up Special Body of Fair Firemen". New York Herald Tribune. September 2, 1938. p. 13. ProQuest 1244525037; "Fire Unit to Serve Fair Grounds Only; Battalion of Four Companies Will Have 20 Officers and 98 City Firemen". The New York Times. September 2, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Queens Court to Expand For World's Fair Cases: Out-of-Town Judges Invited to Sit in Extra Session". New York Herald Tribune. February 15, 1939. p. 9. ProQuest 1257058837; "Wheels of Justice to Whirl for Fair; Special Bureau Will Assure Swift Trials for Visitors, Queens Prosecutor Says". The New York Times. February 15, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- "Lack of Time Couses Drastic Curtailment of Reception at the World's Fair". The New York Times. June 11, 1939. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- "75 Cents Admission to the Fair For Adults; Children 25 Cents". New York Herald Tribune. February 16, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1247094172; "Admission to Fair Fixed at 75 Cents; Cost to Children Will Be 25 Cents, With One Day a Week Set Aside at a Dime". The New York Times. February 16, 1939. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Free Tickets to Fair for Pupils Opposed; Proposal by Isaacs Draws Fire of Moses and Lyons". The New York Times. June 17, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "No Fair Passes, Mayor Says as He Buys Ticket: Even Officials of Exposition and City Will Have to Pay; Advance Sale On Today". New York Herald Tribune. February 24, 1939. p. 17. ProQuest 1247544481; "New York World's Fair Bans Free Tickets". The Christian Science Monitor. February 25, 1939. p. 4. ProQuest 515014104.
- "Advance Ticket Goal of Fair Set At $3,000,000: Reporting Wide Interest, Whalen Plans to Extend Sale Outside of New York". New York Herald Tribune. February 17, 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 1244701126; "$3,000,000 'Advance' is Expected by Fair; Whalen Sets That as Goal for Special Type Tickets at Bargain Rates". The New York Times. February 17, 1939. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "1,000 Stores Offer Tickets for Fair; Advance Sale Extended to Retail Outlets Throughout Metropolitan Area". The New York Times. March 4, 1939. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Advance Sale of Fair Tickets Ends Today Except $15 Ones". New York Herald Tribune. April 22, 1939. p. 7. ProQuest 1255482888; "Advance Sale Extended On World Fair Tickets". The New York Times. April 23, 1939. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Sightseer at World's Fair Can Pass a Week Covering Only Free Attractions: Entertainment On a Vast Scale Open to Guests". New York Herald Tribune. April 3, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 1255013146.
- "Washington Gave Slogan for Fair; Inaugural Speech in 1789 Spoke of 'Pursuit of Public Good,' Chosen as Theme". The New York Times. October 9, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Gay Throng of 600,000 Jams World's Fair for Opening". The Buffalo News. May 1, 1939. p. 10. Retrieved August 29, 2024; "Address Opens World's Fair: 600,000 Attendance Is Disappointing Exposition Theme Hailed in Talk". Daily Boston Globe. May 1, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 817042199.
- ^ "Half Million See World's Fair on Opening Day; Roosevelt Calls It Symbol of the Will to Peace". New York Herald Tribune. May 1, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1247102690.
- "Roosevelt Opens World Fair Today, Arrival of Fleet Stirs Up Excitement". The Hartford Courant. April 30, 1939. p. B7. ProQuest 559157754; "Pride of Navy Here; 28 Men-of-War Steam Into Harbor at Dawn—Mayor Greets Them". The New York Times. April 30, 1939. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "20,000 Take Part in Gay Pageant; on the March in Colorful Parade at the World's Fair". The New York Times. May 1, 1939. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Play Area's Gala Opening Put Off For Two Weeks: Whalen Decides on Second Try After Tour Reveals It Still Far From Complete". New York Herald Tribune. May 1, 1939. p. 14. ProQuest 1247103281.
- ^ Schoenfeld, Joe (April 26, 1939). "Outdoors: Analysis of the Midway Slows That Phase of N. Y. Fair Furthest Behind". Variety. Vol. 134, no. 7. p. 47. ProQuest 1505713328.
- Hughes, Alice (April 30, 1939). "A Woman's New York: The World's Fair Is 80 Per Cent Ready . . . And That's Considered a High Figure". The Washington Post. p. S10. ProQuest 151210445.
- "Bride Honored at Fair As Its Millionth Visitor: Dutch and Finnish Pavilions Formally Opened". New York Herald Tribune. May 5, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1244879624; "One Millionth Visitor Hailed at World Fair: Bride of 20, on Honeymoon, Welcomed by Whalen at Show Pavilions of the Netherlands and Finland Are Dedicated". The Baltimore Sun. May 5, 1939. p. 3. ProQuest 543083512.
- "Whalen's Marvel: President Pulls the Curtain on Mammoth N. Y. World's Fair". Newsweek. Vol. 13, no. 19. May 8, 1939. p. 15. ProQuest 1797082869.
- "World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Operations Dept. Assumes Duties of Construction". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 20. May 20, 1939. p. 30. ProQuest 1032193160.
- "Poland Opens Pavilion at Fair First School Class Goes In Free: Attendance Holds Up Despite Cool Weather Initial Dime Day for Children Will Be Held Tomorrow; Finland and Netherlands on Parade Today". New York Herald Tribune. May 4, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1244875120; Porter, Russell B. (May 4, 1939). "Poland's Pavilion at the Fair Dedicated by Count Potocki". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Fair 'Over the Top,' Whalen Holds, Predicting Unparalleled Success; Reply to Critics Is Seen in Report It Is 'Firing on All Cylinders'--Attendance Said to Run Within 1 Per Cent of Estimates". The New York Times. June 19, 1939. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- "World's Fair Visited By 1,806,237 Children: 399,049 Came for 10 Cents; More 'Bargains' Urged". New York Herald Tribune. August 24, 1939. p. 11. ProQuest 1319988075.
- "Fair to Admit School Pupils Of City Free". New York Herald Tribune. April 25, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1255498158.
- Porter, Russell B. (June 29, 1939). "Jersey Dedicates Fair Exhibit Recalling Revolution Role". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "222,423 Swarm Into Fair On Second Largest Day: Festive Spirit Rides, and Family Groups Turn Out; Breezes Temper the Hottest Day of the Year; 50c Admission After 9 P. M. Considered". New York Herald Tribune. May 8, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1260932607; "Show Men to Press Fight for Price Cut; Ask 50-Cent Fee for Admission After 9 P.M.--Meet Today". The New York Times. May 9, 1939. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Russell B. (May 18, 1939). "Russian Envoy Open Nation's Pavilion at Fair as a 'Good Neighbor' of U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- Essary, J. Fred (June 7, 1939). "Union Demands Beset Foreign Shows at Fair: Some Exhibitors Submit Lest Outcries Strain U. S. Relations Protest by New York Judge Against Actions Unavailing". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1. ProQuest 543079936; "Fair Is Seeking To Cut Costs to Mollify Nevada: New Construction Bids Will Be Asked; Connecticut Joins Protest on Strikes". New York Herald Tribune. May 24, 1939. p. 16. ProQuest 1263426317.
- "Nevada Drops Out of Fair Over Union Trouble: Official Says Electricians Demanded Rewiring Here of Work Done in West". New York Herald Tribune. June 9, 1939. p. 15. ProQuest 1247101731; "Nevada Cancels Exhibit; High Cost Is the Reason". The New York Times. June 6, 1939. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "Censor Descends Upon 'Sexy' Shows; Fair Official Orders Five to Erase 'Vulgarity' and Tone Down Various Scenes". The New York Times. May 30, 1939. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- "World's Fair Changing Fountain Display Hour to 9.30 P. M: Morning Rain Freshens Area For Big Crowds Roses Perk Up, Air Grows Invigorating; Mayor Helps Dedicate Greek Pavilion". New York Herald Tribune. June 5, 1939. p. 7. ProQuest 1251885537.
- "World's Fair Picks Comdr. Lammers to Head Committee Controlling Amusements: Move Climaxes Tightening Up On Play Center Shows Will Be Supervised Closely, and Broadway Standard Will Prevail". New York Herald Tribune. June 28, 1939. p. 11. ProQuest 1252002256; "New Head Named for Amusements; Commander H.N. Lammers Is Expected to Maintain Same Standards as Broadway". The New York Times. June 28, 1939. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- "World's Fair Announces '5 and 10 Cent Days' for Children, Beginning Tomorrow". New York Herald Tribune. June 20, 1939. p. 13. ProQuest 1247836545.
- ^ "Railroads Offer 50c Fair Gate Fee; Out-of-Town Guests May Buy Excursion Tickets Reducing Fare and Admission Rates". The New York Times. August 12, 1939. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "World's Fair Reduces Admission to 50 Cents for Rail Excursions of 500 or More: Roads Will Sell Tickets to Help Weekday Gate Exposition Prepares More Free Shows for Second of 50-Cent Week Ends". New York Herald Tribune. August 12, 1939. p. 26. ProQuest 1322112646.
- "New York World's Fair Slashes Pay of All Executives 10%". Chicago Tribune. July 20, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 175589676; "Fair Cuts Staff in Economy Move: Information Service Curtailed—Dismissed Guides Hold Celebration Tear Gold Braid, Badge From Uniforms and Wade in Pool". The Baltimore Sun. July 19, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 543079427.
- "Fair Drops Hundreds of Workers; Cadets Leap Into Pool as Protest". The New York Times. July 19, 1939. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- "Legitimate: Equity Now Likely to Scale Down Minimum Salaries at World's Fair". Variety. Vol. 135, no. 6. July 19, 1939. p. 40. ProQuest 1475961216.
- "Fair Offers $1 Bargain Ticket, Worth $2.25". New York Herald Tribune. July 18, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1252147099; Adams, Frank S. (July 18, 1939). "$1 Bargain Ticket is Offered by Fair; Has $2.25 Week-End Value in Gate Fee, Food, Concessions --Plan on Trial This Week". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- "Whalen Reports Satisfaction at Result of Plan". New York Herald Tribune. July 25, 1939. p. 7. ProQuest 1321995346; Adams, Frank S. (July 25, 1939). "Utah at Fair Hails Mormon Pioneers; Observing Utah's Day at the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "Whalen May Cut Admission To N.Y. World Fair to 50 Cents". The Christian Science Monitor. July 17, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 515262894; "Fair's Exhibitors Ask 50c Gate Fee; Attendance Rises; Committee Joins Play Zone in Urging Reduction to Serve as Inducement to Crowds". The New York Times. July 16, 1939. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- "World's Fair to Decide Monday on Cutting Admission Price to 50 Cents: Slash Favored By Concessions And Exhibitors Attendance, Despite Bargain Tickets, Is Disappointing; Maryland Has Its Day". New York Herald Tribune. July 29, 1939. p. 5. ProQuest 1324019681; Porter, Russell B. (July 29, 1939). "Action Expected Monday on Cut in Fair's Rates". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- "Fair's 2-Day Paid Gate 400,473 On Its First 50-Cent Week End: Carnival Crowds Enjoy Pleasant Sunday Weather, Hear Swing Music All Over Grounds; Committee to Study Figures, Discuss All-Week Cut". New York Herald Tribune. August 7, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1324999284; "Week-end Throngs Exceed Fair's Goal; Lower Fee Draws Crowd-- Long Lines Wait Before Popular Concessions". The New York Times. August 7, 1939. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Hope Fading for Full-week 50-cent Gate". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 32. August 12, 1939. p. 28. ProQuest 1032198816.
- "Attendance Slim at World's Fair: Drawing Power Only Hull of What Promoters Predicted Daily Average 141,000 Below Estimate—Second-year Run Uncertain". The Baltimore Sun. August 9, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 538578766.
- "World's Fair Asks To Use Funds Held For Debentures: Also Proposes That Holders Waive Next $2,800,000 Accruing Under Indenture Contractors' Bills Overdue". The Wall Street Journal. August 16, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 131214072; "Fair Bonds Slump Sharply in Market; Break Follows News That Show Needs Cash for Debts". The New York Times. August 16, 1939. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- "World's Fair Debenture Holders Agree to Waive Payments Under New Fiscal Plan". New York Herald Tribune. August 30, 1939. p. 11. ProQuest 1319968323; "Bondholders Back Fair's Fiscal Plan; 54% Waive Rights to Profits, and Proposal Goes Into Effect Immediately". The New York Times. August 30, 1939. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- Green, Abel (August 23, 1939). "Restaurateurs' Private Probe on Why Class Spenders Shun N.Y. World's Fair". Variety. Vol. 135, no. 11. pp. 1, 40. ProQuest 1475948859.
- "Fair To Continue Year If Foreign Exhibits Remain". The Hartford Courant. September 3, 1939. p. C8. ProQuest 559228261; "Fair in 1940 Revealed as a Certainty in Spite of the War Situation Abroad". The New York Times. September 3, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "World's Fair to End the Year in Strong Financial Position, Gibson Says: Chairman Feels War Has Little Bearing on '40 Whalen, in Capital, Consults Berle About Expediting Other Nations' Invitations". New York Herald Tribune. September 7, 1939. p. 17. ProQuest 1252385722; "Gibson Confident Fair Will Go on; Show Is in Good Financial Shape to Reopen in 1940, Chairman Asserts". The New York Times. September 7, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "World's Fair Crowds Reflect War Influence by Flocking to Foreign Ceremonies: First Exhibitor Renews Space For Next Year". New York Herald Tribune. September 11, 1939. p. 13. ProQuest 1324138965; Shalett, Sidney M. (September 11, 1939). "1940 Fair Receives Its First Renewal From Trade Area; Delighted by Increased Sales, Carrier Corporation Plans to Expand Its Display". The New York Times. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- "N.Y. World's Fair Officials Plan Second Year Program". The Christian Science Monitor. September 11, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 515319659.
- ^ "Rhodesia Shuts Fair Exhibit as Result of War: France Curtails Operation of Her Pavilion 3 Hours Daily in Economy Move". New York Herald Tribune. September 12, 1939. p. 19. ProQuest 1325006175; Shalett, Sidney M. (September 12, 1939). "Southern Rhodesia Quits World's Fair; Pavilion Is Closed on Orders From Government as the First 'War Casualty'". The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "New York World's Fair: 1940 Session Talk Continues, With 50c Gate Indicated". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 39. September 30, 1939. p. 26. ProQuest 1032201266.
- "Whalen Sails for Europe to Enlist Nations' Participation in World's Fair Next Year: Mayor at Dock, Asserts He May Make Tour, Too Trip to South America Not 'Definite'; Fine Weather Brings Big Attendance". New York Herald Tribune. September 17, 1939. p. 32. ProQuest 1259752892; "World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Paid Attendance". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 38. September 23, 1939. p. 28. ProQuest 1032210657.
- ^ "Fair Lures Crowds From Hinterlands; Out-of-Town Visitors Increase as Exhibition Enters Its Final Six Weeks of 1939". The New York Times. September 17, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "Fair Will Start '40 Machinery Rolling Today: Will Tell Moses It Intends to Renew Lease and Move to Sign Up Exhibitors". New York Herald Tribune. September 26, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1258221519; "Fair Will Take Up 1940 Option on Site; Board Meets Today to Renew Rights to Grounds—Formal Notice Deadline Is Oct. 1". The New York Times. September 26, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "1940 Approved By Industrial Fair Exhibitors: 50-Cent Admission at All Times, Smaller Fun Zone Suggested for Operation". New York Herald Tribune. September 29, 1939. p. 20. ProQuest 1321997704; "Fair Cuts Its Rate to Flat 50 Cents for All October; Bargain Price to Apply Every Day From Sunday Until Close, Gibson Reveals". The New York Times. September 27, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "World's Fair Begins Colorful Grand Finale With a Mardi Gras Week: Merry Parade For Children Sets the Tempo Torchlight Procession and Strolling Clowns Provide Atmosphere of Carnival". New York Herald Tribune. October 24, 1939. p. 17. ProQuest 1254172469; "Week of Mardi Gras To Close New York Fair: League Plans for 1940 24,382,436 Admissions". The Christian Science Monitor. October 23, 1939. p. 3. ProQuest 514987136.
- "Fair Closes, 79,482 in Rain Say Au Revoir: Last Hardy Sightseers and Bargain Hunters TurnOut at Quiet Finale". New York Herald Tribune. November 1, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1267842853; Shalett, Sidney M. (November 1, 1939). "1939 Fair Closes; Seen by 26,000,000; Plans Laid for '40; Last Day is Quiet". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Paid Total Exceeds 45.000,000: Season's Admissions Pass 19,000,000; Fun Zone Has 54-Minnle Blackout, Willi Parachutes Stalled 5 Minutes; Last-Day Crowds Gay". New York Herald Tribune. October 28, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1320080591.
- Traube, Leonard (January 4, 1941). "Fairs-Expositions: New York World's Fair". The Billboard. Vol. 53, no. 1. pp. 44, 50. ProQuest 1032246303.
- ^ "New York World's Fair". The Billboard. Vol. 52, no. 45. November 9, 1940. p. 31. ProQuest 1032227139.
- ^ Shalett, Sidney M. (October 29, 1939). "Fair Prepares to Hibernate; As Its First Year Draws to a Close, New York's Exposition Faces Many Tasks Before Reopening on May 25, 1940 Schedule Mapped Keeping Roads Open Storing the Exhibits From Foreign Countries". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Fair Used Plenty of Water—Over 547,321,500 Gallons". Brooklyn Eagle. November 16, 1939. p. 3. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "World's Fair Cash On October 29 Totals $1,328,000, Says Gibson: Expects No Financial Problem to Interfere With 1940 Opening New Plans Underway". The Wall Street Journal. November 1, 1939. p. 9. ProQuest 130481799; "'World of Tomorrow' Owes $23,000,000 but Is Success". The Christian Science Monitor. November 1, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 515465669.
- "Mayor is Gratified by 'Crimeless Fair; Praises Police and Exposition for Low Number of Arrests". The New York Times. November 6, 1939. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "High Standard Shown in Fair Police Record; No Discourtesy Charges Ever Made by Exhibit Visitors". The New York Times. October 28, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Only One Felony Reported at Fair; Queens Grand Jury Is Discharged". The New York Times. November 4, 1939. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- Hughes, Alice (November 15, 1939). "A Woman's New York: World's Fair Has Record of Only One Felony". The Washington Post. p. 15. ProQuest 151106961; "Only 1 'Bad Egg' in Fair's 32 Million". Brooklyn Eagle. November 4, 1939. p. 7. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Compere, Thomas (November 5, 1939). "World's Fair Quickly Folds Up Its Exhibits, Puts Them Away In Wait for the 1940 Season: Shows Operating Profit, Despite $24, 000, 000 Obligation". New York Herald Tribune. p. A4. ProQuest 1243147272.
- "Fair's $75,000,000 Property To Have Strong Winter Guard". New York Herald Tribune. October 27, 1939. p. 22. ProQuest 1252696086.
- ^ Goodman, Peter (June 15, 1980). "Dawn of a New Day,' exhibition of hove". Newsday. p. B19. ProQuest 964511165.
- "World's Fair to Charge 50 Cents When It Reopens for '40 Season". New York Herald Tribune. November 2, 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 1319988416; Shalett, Sidney M. (November 2, 1939). "50-cent Fair Rate is Fixed for 1940; Brazil to Return; Gibson Formally Announces Plan After a Conference With Concessionnaires". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Fair Plans More Free Entertainment and Lower Prices for 1940 Amusement Area: Gibson Asserts Play Zone Will Be Made Gayer Sim Valley to Raise Scaling Capacity to 8,000; Town of Tomorrow to Return". New York Herald Tribune. October 21, 1939. p. 28. ProQuest 1319980584; "World's Fair Aspires to the Title of 'People's Playground' Next Year". The New York Times. October 21, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024; "World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Fun Area Will Be Re-designed; New Head for Acc Soon". The Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 44. November 4, 1939. p. 30. ProQuest 1032207444.
- "World's Fair Busily Engaged In Preparations For 1940: Appeal Believed Likely To Be Concentrated On Drawing Patronage From Nearby Areas—To Facilitate Merchandise Tie-Ups". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 59, no. 123. December 26, 1939. p. 32. ProQuest 1653739369.
- "Fair Exhibitors Seek Rent Cut". The Christian Science Monitor. October 3, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 515321882; "Fair Gets Plea By Exhibitors to Cut Rents in '40: Lack of Executive Committee Quorum Delays Action on Request by the States". New York Herald Tribune. October 6, 1939. p. 23. ProQuest 1257983497.
- "World's Fair Cuts Rentals for State Exhibits by Half for 1940". New York Herald Tribune. October 10, 1939. p. 17. ProQuest 1254042233; Shalett, Sidney M. (October 10, 1939). "Fair Rent Cut 50% for States in 1940; Exhibitors' Association Wins Demand—Move Is Held a Sign of Other Slashes". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "Europe in the 1940 N.Y. Fair". The Christian Science Monitor. December 22, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 515557035; "Whalen Finds General Support In Europe For N. Y. World Fair". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 59, no. 126. December 29, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 1677144592.
- "Finland Renews Fair Contract, First Nation to Sign Up for '40". New York Herald Tribune. January 31, 1940. p. 1A. ProQuest 1243020377; "Finland Joins the Fair, First From Abroad; Dec. 19 Agreement Withheld Because of War". The New York Times. January 31, 1940. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "West Virginia Renews Lease on Fair Pavilion: Enlargement to Care for 12 Additional Exhibits". New York Herald Tribune. January 24, 1940. p. 21. ProQuest 1242942722; "West Virginia Signs 1940 Fair Contract; First State to Take Advantage of 50 Per Cent Rent Cut". The New York Times. January 24, 1940. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "Fair Expecting 46 Nations in Foreign Section: 32 Already Signed, Success Is Assured, Says Whalen Finns and Poles to Show". New York Herald Tribune. February 27, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1267892570; "Big Foreign Area Assured for Fair; 49 Exhibitors Due; 33 of Governments That Took Part in 1939 Have Accepted Bids, Whalen Discloses". The New York Times. February 27, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "31 Nations Accept World's Fair Bid". The Christian Science Monitor. February 25, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 515525230.
- "Venezuela, Cuba Lost to 1940 Fair; Caracas Government Reverses Decision to Stay—Pavilion May Be Shipped Home". The New York Times. May 4, 1940. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- Bracker, Milton (July 11, 1940). "European Center New Fair Feature; International Unit, Largest Bazaar on Grounds, to Be Opened Saturday". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ "Fair Will Have 45 Exhibitors In Foreign Area: League and Pan American Union Included Europe Is Sending War Displays". New York Herald Tribune. May 2, 1940. p. 20. ProQuest 1264087284.
- "Many Changes Greet Visitors to Court of States: 9 of 1939 Exhibits Gone, but Throngs Return to 12 Remaining in Area". New York Herald Tribune. May 12, 1940. p. 32. ProQuest 1242959026.
- "New York Fair Of '40 Assured Of Big Displays". The Christian Science Monitor. November 14, 1939. p. 3. ProQuest 515586776; "15 Big Exhibitors Sign for 1940 Fair; the World's Fair Gets Off to a Flying Start for the 1940 Season". The New York Times. November 14, 1939. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "Fair Confident Big Exhibitors Will All Return: 95% of Those Having Own Buildings Already Signed; New Play Area Planned". New York Herald Tribune. January 13, 1940. p. 9. ProQuest 1242911542.
- "Fair Signs Pact To Bar Strikes Of Electricians: Agreement Provides Board of Arbitration to Settle Disputes With Local 3 Signing Pact to Avert Strikes at the Fair". New York Herald Tribune. February 10, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1242989044; "Fair Electricians Rule Out Strikes; 'Labor Peace' Program Yields Pact With Union Pledging Arbitration of Disputes". The New York Times. February 10, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Trucking Strike At Fair Settled In Compromise: Union Permitted to Organize Chauffeurs, Won't Oppose City Garbage Collections". New York Herald Tribune. April 27, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1320021861; "Strike at Fair Off; Deliveries Resume; Mayor Effects a Compromise With Teamsters—City to Limit Its Truck Period". The New York Times. April 27, 1940. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "'Great White Way' New Fair Feature; Center of Fun in Amusement Zone to Be Brighter, More Colorful, Gibson Says". The New York Times. March 9, 1940. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- "Now It's World's Fair 1940 in New York". New York Herald Tribune. March 9, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1335119437.
- ^ Schwartz, Jerry (April 23, 1989). "N.Y.'s 1939 World's Fair: A Look Then at World We're Living in Now". Los Angeles Times. p. 2. ProQuest 280741436.
- "Fair Planning Three Arenas For Jitterbugs: Merrie England to Go Collegiate, Old New York to Become Old New Orleans". New York Herald Tribune. February 24, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1243086631.
- ^ Le Tour, M. (April 19, 1940). "New York World's Fair Soon to Reopen: Greenery in 'The World of Tomorrow'". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 3. ProQuest 515558146.
- "Fair Planning Fun Center No One Can Miss: Midway Theme Scrapped; Smaller but Brighter Is Motif;' Chute Jump to Move". New York Herald Tribune. December 8, 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 1320022702.
- ^ "Flanigan Says Exhibits at Fair Will Surpass '39: Announces New Attractions and Improvements Upon Displays and Buildings". New York Herald Tribune. March 9, 1940. p. 13A. ProQuest 1335119347.
- Compere, Thomas (May 5, 1940). "Transportation Area at the Fair Gets $2,000,000 'Face Lifting'". New York Herald Tribune. p. A1. ProQuest 1243155648.
- "Major Industrial Exhibitors of 1939 Back This Year With Added Features: Their Shows Brought Up to Date in Line With Rapid Scientific Developments". The Wall Street Journal. May 13, 1940. p. 7. ProQuest 131255344; Britten, Dudley (March 3, 1940). "World's Fair Yawn's and Stirs; Shrouded Flushing Meadows, Preparing for Opening on May 11, Is Alive With Odd Rumors, Mysteries and Some Workmen". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Boy Scouts to Aid at the Fair Again; Will Maintain Own Service Camp on Two-Acre Plot at the Exposition". The New York Times. March 13, 1940. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- "Mayor Assures Fair Visitors of $1–$1.50 Rooms: Promises Accommodations for 600,000 Daily, 'Just as Cheaply as al Home'". New York Herald Tribune. March 16, 1940. p. 1A. ProQuest 1320056262; "Bargain Rates for Fair Pledged; La Guardia and Hotel Men Promise That Visitors Will Be Housed Cheaply". The New York Times. March 16, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ "1940 Fair Stresses Low-cost Menus; 80 Restaurants, Cafeterias, Snack Bars to Serve Meals 'for Every Pocketbook'". The New York Times. March 1, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "$8,000,000 Being Spent on Fair; 3,000 Work on Improvements: Exposition Allots $3,000,000 to Construction and Alteration, Exhibitors $5,000,000; Lighting in Amusement Area To Be 'Ten Times' Brighter". New York Herald Tribune. March 11, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1259052517.
- "Mayor Will Buy First Tickets For Fair Today: Advance Sale of Family Books for $2.50 Beginning Throughout Country". New York Herald Tribune. April 11, 1940. p. 25. ProQuest 1243058843; "U.S. Exhibit at Fair to Stress Housing; Separate New Display in Home Center Building to Be Ready for Opening May 11". The New York Times. April 11, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "School Tickets To Fair Go on Sale Thursday: Ten-Admission Book To Be Sold to Children for $1, Junior Season Pass$3.50". New York Herald Tribune. April 18, 1940. p. 16. ProQuest 1258265560; "Nation's Students Get Fair Bargain; Country-Wide Sale Announced --Reduced-Rate Tickets to Be Available Here Tuesday". The New York Times. April 18, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Fair Amusement Zone Sold Out, 90 Concessions on Its New List: Director Reports All Space Taken; Area Will Offer 3 Major Shows, 18 Smaller Ones and 15 Rides Among Other Attractions". New York Herald Tribune. April 29, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1266874326; "Play Zone at Fair is '100% Sold Out'; Revitalized Great White Way Offers Livelier and Gayer Section Than Last Year". The New York Times. April 29, 1940. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- "Advance Sales Of Fair Tickets Ahead of 1939: Million Family Books Are Half Sold; Out-of-Town Orders Increased 15%". New York Herald Tribune. April 30, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1254975041; "Lively Ticket Sale Heartens the Fair; Advance Buying Far Ahead of 1939—New Plumbing Pact Expected to End Trouble". The New York Times. April 30, 1940. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- "World Fair '40, Month Shorter, To Open May 25: Mardi Gras Next Week Will Climax '39 Season With 'Big Blaze,' Gibson Says". New York Herald Tribune. October 18, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1252349608; "Fair to Shorten Its Season in 1940; Will Open on May 25 and Close on Oct. 27, or 29 Fewer Days Than This Year". The New York Times. October 18, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "Fair Advances 1940 Opening Date to May 11: Gibson Announces Change From May 25 to Favor Delegates to Conventions World's Fair Welcomes 1940 a Few Weeks in Advance". New York Herald Tribune. December 7, 1939. p. 18A. ProQuest 1258409544; "World Fair Opening Date Is Advanced to May 11". The New York Times. December 7, 1939. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "Fair Will Have Police Force of 300 This Year: Decrease of 200 Laid to Record of Few Crimes and Accidents in 1939". New York Herald Tribune. April 30, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1254967669.
- "Fair Will Place 2,500 at Work Before May 11: All Jobs Are Now Filled; Stall for Opening Set at 5,500, Majority Rehired". New York Herald Tribune. May 1, 1940. p. 10. ProQuest 1255390776.
- "World's Fair Bonds". The Wall Street Journal. April 30, 1940. p. 8. ProQuest 131265797; "40,000,000 Attendance at 1940 Fair Needed To Pay Bondholders in Full, Gibson Says". The New York Times. April 30, 1940. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Nichols, Herbert B. (May 10, 1940). "New York Fair Goes 'Folksy' in Second Year Bid for Popular Acclaim". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 8. ProQuest 515258672.
- Shalett, Sidney M. (May 19, 1940). "Folksy World's Fair Off to a Good Start; 1940 Edition Shows Many Contrasts, With 1939 Formality Abandoned, But Old Favorites Carry On". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Facts About the World's Fair". New York Herald Tribune. May 10, 1940. p. 16. ProQuest 1253151121.
- "Auto Is Offered As Daily Prize To Fair Visitors: N. Y. Hotels and Business Organizations Sponsors of 'Golden Key' Contest". New York Herald Tribune. April 27, 1940. p. 9A. ProQuest 1320021240; "Fair to Give Away 170 Cars, One Daily; Biggest Crowd-Luring Device So Far to Use Millions of Keys as Prize 'Tickets'". The New York Times. April 27, 1940. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Rush to the Fair Taxes All City's Traffic Systems: Subways and L. I. Road Tag 5,175 Through in 1st 10 Minutes Parking Lots Busy Snip and the World's Fair of 40 Is Officially Open". New York Herald Tribune. May 12, 1940. p. 31. ProQuest 1242959008; Porter, Russell B. (May 12, 1940). "'40 Fair Gets Off to Lively Start; 191,196 on Hand; The World's Fair of 1940 Opens, Dedicated to Peace and Freedom". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- Rice, William; Cornish, Dick (May 19, 1940). "Fair Throng Hears Ickes Draft F.D.R." Daily News. p. 306. Retrieved September 25, 2024; Porter, Russell B. (May 12, 1940). "'40 Fair Gets Off to Lively Start; 191,196 on Hand; The World's Fair of 1940 Opens, Dedicated to Peace and Freedom". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Opening of World's Fair In New York on May 11 Widely Covered by Radio". Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising. Vol. 18, no. 10. May 15, 1940. p. 56. ProQuest 1014938182; "Radio Will Carry Opening Ceremony; Saturday's Events at the Fair Also Will Be Televised". The New York Times. May 5, 1940. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- "City Celebration Will Usher in Fair; Mayor Calls on 300 Business Leaders to Help Plan Event --Dress-Up Drive Mapped". The New York Times. April 29, 1940. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "New York World's Fair 16-Days' Loss $10,631: Gibson Say's Results Satisfactory Considering Weather $650,000 of1939 Bills Liquidated". The Wall Street Journal. May 29, 1940. p. 5. ProQuest 131254649; "Gibson Reveals Fair's Healthy Fiscal Position: $800,000 in Bank, Loss in Period of Bad Weather $10,163 Best Days Ahead". New York Herald Tribune. May 29, 1940. p. 5. ProQuest 131254649.
- Bird, Robert S. (June 29, 1940). "Shake-up of Staff is Planned by Fair; Reduction in Personnel Not 'Wave of Economy,' Only Good Business, Gibson Asserts". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ "Fair Drops 200, to Ease Strain of Slow Gate". Daily News. July 4, 1940. p. 20. Retrieved September 26, 2024; Bracker, Milton (July 4, 1940). "Turnstiles at Fair Click Record Tune; 'Supergirl and Superboy' at the Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- Bracker, Milton (July 1, 1940). "Tax Rise Affects Fair's Play Zone; Levy Will Not Be Retroactive on Advance Sale of Tickets With Concession Rights". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- "Most Bars at Fair to Absorb Tax Rise; Increase Generally Considered Too Small to Pass On". The New York Times. July 2, 1940. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- "Bomb At World's Fair Kills Two, Five Hurt: Policemen Slain Removing Device". The Hartford Courant. July 5, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 559343541; "Police Die in Blast – Timed Device Explodes After It Is Taken Out of Pavilion". The New York Times. July 5, 1940. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- Pollak, Michael (August 3, 2008). "Death at the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Crowd Unaware of Bomb Tragedy; Noise of the Explosion Taken as More of Fireworks That Had Been Heard All Day". The New York Times. July 5, 1940. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
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- "Mall at the Fair to Remain in Park; Esplanade From Theme Center to the Court of Peace Will Not Be Demolished". The New York Times. October 4, 1940. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- "World's Fairs: New York World's Fair – Exec Branch in Charge of Teardown Job". The Billboard. Vol. 52, no. 37. September 14, 1940. pp. 31, 61. ProQuest 1032238544.
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- "Fair Will Shut Gates Forever Next Sunday: Arranges 'Blaze of Old Glory Week to Crown World's Greatest Show Will Offer Biggest Fireworks Exhibit Trims Admission Costs; Razing Begins Oct. 28; Financial Picture Dark". New York Herald Tribune. October 20, 1940. p. A1. ProQuest 1247314716; "Fair is Preparing a 'Week of Glory'; Series of Dazzling Events to Mark Its Final Days, With All Boroughs Taking Part". The New York Times. October 19, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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- Wood 2004, p. 8.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 46–47.
- ^ Stern, Gilmartin & Mellins 1987, p. 730.
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- Bletter, Rosemarie Haag; Queens Museum (1989). Remembering the Future: The New York World's Fair from 1939–1964. Rizzoli. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-8478-1122-9.
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- "Moses Visualizes Park After Fair; How World's Fair Site Will Look After It is Turned Into Huge Public Park". The New York Times. May 15, 1939. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- Patterson 1939, pp. 87–88.
- "500 Large Trees Due This Spring On Site of Fair: Corporation Opens Bids for Moving, Replanting Job to Cost $100,000 55-Foot Elms on List Specimens Within 100 Miles Are Catalogued for Site". New York Herald Tribune. February 25, 1937. p. 12. ProQuest 1222252601; "10,000 Live Trees Sought for Fair; Vast Forest to Be Transported to Barren Flushing Site Within Next 2 Years". The New York Times. February 25, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Johnston, J. W. (October 20, 1939). "World's Fair Already at Work On Its Floral Displays for 1940". New York Herald Tribune. p. 15. ProQuest 1258523692.
- Patterson 1939, p. 88.
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- Johnston, J. W. (May 14, 1939). "Million Tulips in Fair Rainbow". New York Herald Tribune. p. A18. ProQuest 1243152807; "Tulips in Fair Gardens Burst Into Bloom in Time". The New York Times. April 25, 1939. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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- "Holland Tulip Bulbs at Fair Being Burned; As Plants Are Taken Up They Are Replaced by Other Plants". The New York Times. May 26, 1939. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- McLaughlin, Kathleen (May 3, 1939). "50 Gardens Lure Throngs at Fair; Gardens on Parade in the Horticultural Exhibition at the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- Greeves-Carpenter, C.F. (July 30, 1939). "Use of Water at World's Fair Holds Hints for Gardeners". The New York Times. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- Johnston, J. W. (October 20, 1939). "World's Fair Already at Work On Its Floral Displays for 1940: Tulips, Ruled Out by Later Opening Date, Will Be Replaced by Other Types; Trees to Remain, a Monument to Transplanting Record". New York Herald Tribune. p. 15. ProQuest 1258523692.
- Dustan, Alice L. (May 26, 1940). "A Restful Woodland Garden Created for the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- "World's Fair Uses Manhattan Street Names: But There Will Re a Main as Well as Broadway and Times Square; Also Plaza of Light and Peace Court". New York Herald Tribune. June 21, 1938. p. 12. ProQuest 1244331675; "Fair Adopts Names of Noted Streets; Broadway and Petticoat Lane Among Those Representative of Old New York". The New York Times. June 21, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Deschin, Jacob (October 12, 1938). "It Won't Be Long Now: Today's Vision of Tomorrow, as Depicted in New York's World's Fair Promises Heaping Measure of Enlightenment and Diversion". The Christian Science Monitor. p. WM8. ProQuest 514938936.
- "Mile-long Mall Feature of Fair; $60,000,000 Central Walk in Flushing to Pass Lagoons, Statuary and Flower Beds". The New York Times. December 12, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
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- Whalen 1939, p. 27.
- "70 Feet of Mud Found Beneath World Fair Site: Floating Steel 'Saucers' Planned to Support Some of Projected Structures Huge Caissons Proposed Important Buildings Due to Rest on 'Bridge' Piers". New York Herald Tribune. October 26, 1936. p. 18. ProQuest 1222131162.
- ^ Whalen 1939, p. 29.
- Steinberg 2015, p. 219.
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- Stern, Gilmartin & Mellins 1987, p. 731.
- "Bold and Streamlined Beauty for the Fair; The Buildings Reveal Strange, New Designs". The New York Times. August 14, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Hamlin 1938, p. 675.
- "Whalen Describes New Lighting Developed For World's Fair". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 55, no. 88. November 3, 1937. pp. 23–24. ProQuest 1699951135.
- "World's Fair Lights Turned On, Make Site a Dreamland of Color". New York Herald Tribune. April 11, 1939. p. 1A. ProQuest 1244864830.
- "Fair Tries Out New Lighting; in Fog and Drizzle: 70 Pinwheel Units Brighten Amusement Area; City's Officials Tour Grounds World's Fair Lighting Tented for Operating Next. Week". New York Herald Tribune. May 3, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1247145058; "Fair Lights Dazzle Spectators at Preview; Brilliant Display Tests Reinforced System". The New York Times. May 3, 1940. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- House & Garden. Vol. 161. Condé Nast Publications. 1989. p. 36.
- ^ Harrison, Helen A.; Cusker, Joseph P. (1980). Dawn of a New Day: The New York World's Fair, 1939/40. Queens Museum. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-9604514-0-1.
- "Fair's Perisphere Stripped of Glory; Workman Start Tearing Down Huge Structure—Trylon to Be Taken Down Next". The New York Times. December 11, 1940. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- Exposition Publications 1939, p. 57.
- Cotter 2009, p. 39.
- Cotter 2009, p. 79.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 85–101.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 116–117.
- "10,000 Will Join In World Fair's Armistice Day: LaGuardia and Whalen Will Dedicate Court of Peace on Friday; 62 Foreign Nations Will Take Part". New York Herald Tribune. November 8, 1938. p. 18. ProQuest 1244589212; "Double Ceremony at Fair on Friday; 15,000 to Observe Armistice Day and See the Court of Peace Dedicated". The New York Times. November 8, 1938. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "60 Nations Accept World's Fair Bids; League Is Included in Those Signing Contracts or Asking for Space Reservations". The New York Times. December 20, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- Markland, John (July 9, 1939). "Tour of the States at the World's Fair; Diversified American Scene, Its Beauties, Arts and Crafts, Awaits the Visitor". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- "State Exhibits Take Visitor To Scenes of Home: Pennsylvania Exhibit Maine Tells Story". The Christian Science Monitor. April 27, 1939. p. 9. ProQuest 515092332.
- "Court of States is Being Advanced; South Carolina Reconsiders Tabled Plan to Take Part in Exhibition Here". The New York Times. April 9, 1939. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- Exposition Publications 1939, p. 90.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 102–103.
- Cotter 2009, p. 45.
- Monaghan 1939, p. 175.
- Cotter 2009, p. 87.
- "Financial News: Consumer Interests Bldg. For World's Fair". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 55, no. 105. November 29, 1937. p. 6. ProQuest 1653244943; "Fair to Show Buyers How to Stretch Dollars". New York Herald Tribune. November 28, 1937. p. 35A. ProQuest 1222274659.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 175–178.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 176–195.
- ^ Cotter 2009, p. 25.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 199–201.
- "The World's Fair Today: Facts And Figures". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 56, no. 22. February 1, 1938. pp. 5, 31. ProQuest 1653752142.
- Monaghan 1939, p. 49.
- "World's Fair Amusement Zone To Be Laid Out in 13 Sections". New York Herald Tribune. December 6, 1937. p. 2. ProQuest 1222355795; "New York of Old Will Rise at Fair; Village Depicting the Life of Century Ago Will Be Part of Amusement Area". The New York Times. December 6, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "New York World's Fair Votes To Undress Its Attractions: Nudity And Gayety To Be Stressed In Spending Of New $1,000,000 Appropriation". The Baltimore Sun. March 12, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 538442241.
- "New York World's Fair Votes To Undress Its Attractions: Nudity And Gayety To Be Stressed In Spending Of New $1,000,000 Appropriation". The Sun. March 12, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 538442241.
- Exposition Publications 1939, pp. 132–133.
- "World Fair Group to Glorify Health; $1,000,000 Project Planned to Show Wonders of Body and Medicine's Aids". The New York Times. June 17, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 196–197.
- "State Banking Rulings; Manufacturers Trust to Open Branch at World's Fair". The New York Times. September 24, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "Work Is Begun On I. R.T. Station At World's Fair: Willets Point Structure in Flushing Being Rebuilt at Cost of $494.000 To Serve 40 Trains an Hr. $260,000 Signal System Is Planned for Expresses". New York Herald Tribune. January 9, 1938. p. 17. ProQuest 1240588402; "New I.R.T. Station for Fair Started; Willets Point Structure on Flushing Line to Be Rebuilt at Cost of $494,000". The New York Times. January 9, 1938. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- "Traffic Plans For World Fair Are Announced: Present Lines to Transport' 250,000 to 800,000 Daily Visitors". New York Herald Tribune. October 26, 1936. p. 18. ProQuest 1248170581; "Fair Traffic Studied; Whalen Says Problem Equals That of a City Like Cleveland". The New York Times. October 26, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "B. M. T., I. R. T. Express Trains Start April 24: Subways Will Make Run to Willets Point Boulevard Station in 24 Minutes". New York Herald Tribune. April 17, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 1254731448; "New Subway Spur Is Ready to Open: First Train to Start Four Minutes Before the Fair Officially Begins". The New York Times. April 17, 1939. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
- "City Subway Spur to the Fair Urged: Delaney and Fullen Jointly Propose Extension From Queens Boulevard. Cost Put At $1,200,000 Enlargement of Willets Point I. R. T.-B. M. T. Station Also Is Recommended. Expenses Are Estimated Two Tracks Are Provided". The New York Times. January 15, 1937. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
- "City Subway Line to Fair Closes at 5 A.M. Today". The New York Times. October 28, 1940. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Ride to Fair to Cost 10 Cents: City to Set Rate for Independent Branch Line to Cover Expense of Building It". The New York Sun. February 18, 1939. p. 21. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2016 – via Fultonhistory.com.
- "I. R. T. Will Buy 50 New Cars for Express to Fair: Bids Asked on Equipment for Special Service on Line Running to Flushing". New York Herald Tribune. March 3, 1938. p. 19. ProQuest 1243080430; "50 New Subway Cars to Be Added for Fair; I. R. T. Asks Bids for Equipment for Service From Times Square and Grand Central". The New York Times. March 3, 1938. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- Electric Railroaders Association (1969). ERA Headlights. Electric Railroaders Association. p. 6.
- "Buses for World's Fair". The Wall Street Journal. March 3, 1937. p. 4. ProQuest 129839745; "Buys 55 Buses for Fair; Queens-Nassau Lines to Replace Jamaica-Flushing Trolleys". The New York Times. March 3, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Service to World's Fair; City Island Arranges Express Transportation for Yachtsmen". The New York Times. January 8, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ "Buses to Cover 10-Mile Route Within Grounds: Tractor Trains and Chair 'Taxis' Also Will Carry Visitors Over 1,216 Acres". New York Herald Tribune. April 30, 1939. p. 34. ProQuest 1244862453.
- ^ "How to Get Around the Fair; Pick-up Buses". The New York Times. April 30, 1939. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Huge Buses to Run at World's Fair; Greyhound Intramural System to Operate 100 of the Largest Ever Built". The New York Times. July 20, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Fair Postpones Formal Start of Its Play Area: Fete Set for Next Saturday; Attendance Holds Up in Face of All-Day Drizzle Ireland's Pavilion Officially Opened After Dedication". New York Herald Tribune. May 14, 1939. p. 24. ProQuest 1243118184.
- "Fine Weather Increases Crowd; Children Parade on Special Day". New York Herald Tribune. July 13, 1939. p. 9. ProQuest 1319982825.
- "$31,000,000 Road Building Under Way for Fair". Daily News. November 3, 1937. p. 705. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "New Fair Highway Opened to Traffic; Horace Harding Boulevard, Vital Entrance to the Exposition, Ready for 2-Mile Stretch". The New York Times. September 19, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- "Whitestone Span to Open Saturday; Mayor and Other City Officials Will Attend Exercises at Bronx End of Bridge". The New York Times. April 27, 1939. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Fair Parkway Bids of $1,000,000 Filed; Estimates Provide for Grading and Paving of the Grand Central Extension". The New York Times. November 10, 1935. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- Morrow, C. Earl (March 22, 1936). "World's Fair Spurs Queens Boulevard Plan: Civic Groups Combine to Press Completion of Borough's Traffic Project Artery to the Exposition New Sections Paved and Landscaping Work Starts". New York Herald Tribune. p. B6. ProQuest 1330424776.
- Markland, John (January 1, 1939). "Making Fair Accessible; Many Steps Are Taken to Smooth the Path of Summer Visitors". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- "Amber Globes on City Highways Will Light Way to World's Fair". New York Herald Tribune. February 7, 1939. p. 1. ProQuest 1244893835; "Amber Road Lights Will Lead to Fair; 3,500 Special Globes Will Be Set Up Along Ninety Miles of Arterial Highways". The New York Times. February 7, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ "Map for World's Fair Shows Ring of Airports: Five Terminals and Seaplane Bases Are Near Exposition". New York Herald Tribune. July 25, 1937. p. 22A. ProQuest 1248455293.
- "World's Fair Area Is Barred to Planes by Aeronautics Authority to Promote Safety". New York Herald Tribune. April 26, 1939. p. 13. ProQuest 1244877009; "Flying Over World Fair Banned by Air Authority". The New York Times. April 26, 1939. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- "World's Fair Hat Design". The New York Public Library. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- "Goddess of Liberty Design Is Chosen for '39 Fair Seal: Like Statue, Holding Torch; Engineers Insist Site's Foundations Are Safe". New York Herald Tribune. October 31, 1936. p. 38. ProQuest 1240474110; "World Fair Adopts Seal of Liberty". Times Union. October 30, 1936. p. 18. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "'39 World's Fair Flag Dedicated; Colors Flown by Early Settlers: Orange, White and Blue Emblem Recalls Standard That Waved Over Homes of New Amsterdam; Mrs. Astor, Aldrich to Pick 10,000 Aids". New York Herald Tribune. January 5, 1937. p. 2. ProQuest 1222210826; "Truck Driver Buys $100 Share in Fair; Whalen Sells Bond to Employe at Ceremony as Symbol of Wide Public Support". The New York Times. January 5, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Wood 2004, p. 95.
- "Film Reviews: Middleton Family at The N. Y. World's Fair". Variety. Vol. 136, no. 4. October 4, 1939. p. 47. ProQuest 1476011805.
- ^ Goldberger, Paul (June 20, 1980). "World's Fair of '39 Revisited; World's Fair of 1939–40 Revisited on Queens Site A Coherent Design Emerged Vision of a New Kind of City Era of Corporate Giants Loomed". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- "Musical Plans For World Fair Are Confirmed; Full Committee Is Listed by Whalen; Mrs. Astor and Marshall Field Included". New York Herald Tribune. July 4, 1937. p. 15. ProQuest 1250042230; "Music Plans Made for World's Fair; Allen Wardwell Heads Large Committee of Musicians and Music Patrons". The New York Times. July 4, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Music Festival Is Planned for '39 World Fair: Auditorium on Grounds Proposed by Committee for Artists of All Nations". New York Herald Tribune. June 27, 1937. p. 1A. ProQuest 1318088972; Downes, Olin (June 27, 1937). "Plans for the Fair in 1939; a Mozart Rondo". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "Making Music at the World's Fair; Bands, Choruses and Recorded Music Are Among Offerings". The New York Times. June 30, 1940. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- "New York Fair Plans Festival Of Opera, Symphony and Ballet". The Christian Science Monitor. December 27, 1938. p. 3. ProQuest 514777456.
- "Olin Downes to Direct World's Fair's Music". New York Herald Tribune. February 18, 1938. p. 11. ProQuest 1242874761; "Olin Downes, Critic, Heads World's Fair Music Plans". Chicago Daily Tribune. February 19, 1938. p. 14. ProQuest 182006335.
- McAll, Reginald L. (February 1, 1939). "Great Church Music Program at Exposition" (PDF). The Diapason. 30 (3): 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- "Fair Band to Enter Radio, Concert Work; La Barre Group to Play Also at Willkie Rally Here". The New York Times. October 24, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "World's Fair Opens Contest For Composers: Seeks Three Works for the Band; Musicians of All Countries Eligible". New York Herald Tribune. April 16, 1939. p. E6. ProQuest 1243117672.
- ^ "Music-Dance-Bands: No World Fair Song Hit, Yet". Variety. Vol. 135, no. 10. August 16, 1939. p. 33. ProQuest 1475961670.
- "Theme Song For World's Fair Written By Negro Composer". Philadelphia Tribune. August 4, 1938. p. 1. ProQuest 531503663.
- Cotter 2009, p. 18.
- Young, William H.; Young, Nancy K. (2007). Music of the World War II Era. American History through Music. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-313-08427-0. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "World's Fair Theme Song To Be Recorded By Duke Ellington". The Pittsburgh Courier. September 10, 1938. p. 20. ProQuest 202039322; "World Fair March is Gershwin Tune; ' Dawn of a New Day, Among Last of the Composer's Works, Adopted -as Anthem Song a "Fortunate Accident"". The New York Times. April 24, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Fair's Theme Song Has Its Premiere; 'For Peace and Freedom' Sung at Mayor's Luncheon-- Written by LaBarre". The New York Times. February 3, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- Pihodna, Joseph (April 14, 1940). "The Playbill: Three New Musicals Planned for Spring Season, Which Will Make Seven Musicals in All, When World's Fair Re-opens". New York Herald Tribune. p. E1. ProQuest 1243026384.
- "Billy Rose Plans Extravaganza At World's Fair: $500,000 Production, With 1,000 in Cast, to Employ Modern American Theme in Five Showings Daily". New York Herald Tribune. July 2, 1938. p. 4. ProQuest 1257833449; Atkinson, Brooks (May 5, 1939). "The Play; Billy Rose's Aquacade Opens With a Splash in the Lake at the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Jubilee and Aquacade Open With Big Audiences". The New York Times. May 12, 1940. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "New York World's Fair Shapes Up As Great Plug For Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 50, no. 40. March 20, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 2297933672.
- ^ Wasson 2012, p. 92.
- ^ Weisberg, Leonard (May 11, 1940). "52,000 Amusement Seats at New York Fair; 6,200 House Films Shown Without Charge". Boxoffice. Vol. 36, no. 25. pp. 4, 26. ProQuest 1505787270.
- "Non-Theatrical Films: Non-Theatrical Films Splurge At the New York World's Fair; Both Silent and Sound Are Used". The Billboard. Vol. 52, no. 21. May 25, 1940. p. 27. ProQuest 1032214779.
- "Color and Murals Figure in Fair". The New York Times. June 15, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Hamlin 1938, pp. 678–679.
- ^ "Whalen Reveals Art Center Plan At World's Fair: Studio Displays, to Present Stages in Production of Works, Are Proposed". New York Herald Tribune. January 31, 1938. p. 9. ProQuest 1243712934; "1939 Fair to Take Art 'Off Olympus'; Painting and Sculpture to Be Blended in Surroundings for All to See, Says Whalen". The New York Times. January 31, 1938. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Graeme, Alice (March 27, 1938). "World's 'Fair's' Snub to Artists Sets Off Debate: New York Show Scored for Omitting to Plan an Exhibition". The Washington Post. p. TT4. ProQuest 151070539.
- "World Fair Art To Be Picked at Regional Shows: 800 Contemporary Works To Be Chosen at Displays Covering Entire Nation; Artists Limited to One". New York Herald Tribune. October 30, 1938. p. 18. ProQuest 1244650647; "Fair to Display All Types of Art; Every Artist in Nation Is Invited". The New York Times. August 15, 1938. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- Graeme, Alice (July 21, 1940). "Art Exhibit at World's Fair to Be Rotated: More Stimulating Display Assured Visitors This Year". The Washington Post. p. D7. ProQuest 151262997.
- "World's Fair Announces List of Art Works To Be Shown in $30,000,000 Exhibition: Rare Paintings Of 7 Centuries Will Be on View". New York Herald Tribune. April 22, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 1255114857; Linn, Thomas C. (June 5, 1939). "Rare Paintings Put on Display in a Ceremony at the World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- "Fair Exhibition to Get More Master Paintings: Works by Rembrandt, Hals and Velasquez Assured". New York Herald Tribune. May 10, 1940. p. 16. ProQuest 1253183292; "More Paintings Lent for Fair's Art Show; Works by Rembrandt, Hals and El Greco Among Them". The New York Times. May 10, 1940. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Fair Purchases And Distributes 31 Works of Art: Museums and Galleries in 18 States to Get Items of Contemporary Exhibit World's Fair Buys Art for Distribution to U. S. Galleries". New York Herald Tribune. January 28, 1940. p. 23. ProQuest 1242973429; "Fair Buys 31 Works for Art Museums; Paintings, Sculptured Pieces and Prints Distributed Throughout Nation". The New York Times. January 28, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Foreign Countries to Exhibit National Art at Fair Pavilions: Contemporary And Old Works Will Be Shown". New York Herald Tribune. April 2, 1939. p. 30. ProQuest 1287069685.
- "181 Artists Join To Give N.Y. Fair Variety in Design". The Christian Science Monitor. July 17, 1937. p. 3. ProQuest 514423887.
- "Outdoor Mural System Ready At World's Fair: Colorful Spectacle of Man's History Is Unfolded as Scaffolding Comes Down". New York Herald Tribune. April 20, 1939. p. 21A. ProQuest 1255079016.
- ^ "Murals for Fair Mark New Epoch; Exterior Decorating Program Planned to Give New Note to American Architecture". The New York Times. September 11, 1938. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- Hardesty, Lynn (December 25, 1938). "World's Fair Uses Dramatic Color Effects: Previews of New York Exhibit Buildings Amaze Art Critics". The Washington Post. p. R1. ProQuest 150964786.
- "Union Warns Mural Painters At World's Fair: Artists Are Told They Must Join Local Before They Can Start Work; They Plan to Turn Down Offer". New York Herald Tribune. July 19, 1938. p. 17. ProQuest 1254086461; "Peril to Art Seen in Row With Union; Guild of Mural Painters Holds A. F. L. Group Endangers Work at World's Fair". The New York Times. July 17, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- Brenner, Anita (April 10, 1938). "American Creates American Murals; To Bid for the Favor of a New Mass Public". The New York Times. pp. 10–11, 18–19. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- Appleton Read, Helen (September 1, 1938). "Murals at the World's Fair...". Harper's Bazaar. Vol. 71, no. 2713. pp. 104–105, 129. ProQuest 1871468222.
- ^ "Fair Will Exhibit Heroic Statuary; More Than 60 Pieces to Adorn Various Buildings, Thoroughfares and Plazas". The New York Times. December 11, 1938. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- Mitnick, Barbara J.; Ayres, William S.; Museums at Stony Brook; Brandywine River Museum (1999). George Washington: American Symbol. Hudson Hills Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-55595-148-1. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- Wurts & Appelbaum 1977, p. 98.
- Tangerman, Elmer John (1989). The Big Book of Whittling and Woodcarving. Dover Publications. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-486-26171-3. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- Frelinghuysen, Alice Cooney; Eidelberg, Martin P. (2021). Gifts from the Fire: American Ceramics, 1880–1950. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-58839-732-4. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- Kuznick, Peter (September 1994). "Losing the World of Tomorrow: The Battle over the Presentation of Science at the 1939 World's Fair". American Quarterly. 46 (3): 341–73. doi:10.2307/2713269. JSTOR 2713269.
- "Vermeer's Masterpiece The Milkmaid". Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
- ^ Hiott, Andrea (2012). Thinking Small: The Long, Strange Trip of the Volkswagen Beetle. Ballantine Books. Ballantine Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-345-52142-2. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- Sietsema, Robert (April 15, 2015). "A Visit to Jersey City's White Mana, a Diner Relic of the 1939 World's Fair". Eater NY. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- Herman, Arthur (2012). Freedom's Forge. New York, NY: Random House Incorporated. pp. 58–65. ISBN 978-1-4000-6964-4.
- "London Exhibits 'First Bicycle' At World's Fair". The Christian Science Monitor. June 1, 1939. p. 5. ProQuest 515227360.
- "Contract Made For Television Station at Fair: Large-Scale Demonstration of New Radio Science To Be Offered for Visitors". New York Herald Tribune. June 18, 1937. p. 17. ProQuest 1248130206; "Television to Be Presented at Fair". The Wall Street Journal. June 19, 1937. p. 10. ProQuest 129798234; "R. C. A. to Exhibit in Fair Building; Signs Contract to Build a 'Temple of Magic' to Show Developments in Radio". The New York Times. June 18, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- Bragdon, E. L. (April 24, 1949). "Ten Years of TV; The Medium's Modern History Spans Time Since FDR Opened World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- Jackson, Nicholas (February 21, 2011). "Elektro the Moto-Man, One of the World's First Celebrity Robots". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 25, 2024; "Elektro the Moto-Man Had the Biggest Brain at the 1939 World's Fair". IEEE Spectrum. September 28, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- Exposition Publications 1939, p. 61.
- ^ Loeb, August (May 28, 1939). "Menus and Prices Vary Widely at Fair; Simple Refreshment Stands and De Luxe Foreign Restaurants Draw Crowds". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Fair Will Prove Promised Land For Gourmets: 24 Countries Will Serve Native Food and Drinks for Which They're Noted". New York Herald Tribune. April 27, 1939. p. 5. ProQuest 1247108615.
- ^ Herzberg, Joseph G. (April 22, 1964). "Yesterday's World of Tomorrow; A Nostalgic Look at 1939 Extravaganza That Ended an Era; Gastronome Recalls the Lavish Feasts of Whalen's Day". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Food Price Trend High at Fair; A Few Restaurants Keep Cost Low; Places With Only a la Carte Menus Listing Dishes Up to $2.50--'Hot-Dog' Stands Boon to Average Workingman". The New York Times. May 3, 1939. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "City to Protect Visitors' Health At Fair Grounds: 2,800 Workers Will Watch Food, Sanitation and Give First Aid in Emergencies". New York Herald Tribune. April 24, 1939. p. 6. ProQuest 1258190290.
- "Fair Food Menu Is Designed to Fit All Purses: 150 Stands and 70 Restaurants oil Grounds Will Have Prices From 10c". New York Herald Tribune. April 30, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1255356860.
- "16,222,358 Hot Dogs Sold at the Fair, And Wait—172,800 Dozen Headache Pills". The New York Times. October 28, 1940. p. 11. ProQuest 105396705.
- "World Fair List Of Special Days Is Announced: Every State, Many Cities and New York Counties Are Included in Program". New York Herald Tribune. January 26, 1939. p. 10. ProQuest 1257038742; "700 Events Listed for World's Fair; Pageants and Folk Festivals to Be Held—Programs to Welcome Statesmen". The New York Times. January 26, 1939. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- Monaghan 1939, pp. 215–219.
- Abbattista, Guido; Iannuzzi, Giulia (2016). "World Expositions as Time Machines: Two Views of the Visual Construction of Time Between Anthropology and Futurama". World History Connected. 13 (3).
- Franklin, H. Bruce (1982). "America as Science Fiction: 1939 (L'Amérique Comme Science-Fiction: 1939)". Science Fiction Studies. 9 (1): 38–50. ISSN 0091-7729. JSTOR 4239455.
- Pollak, Michael (April 2, 2006). "The Beyond-This-World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Weldon, Glen (2013). Superman: The Unauthorized Biography. Turner Publishing Company. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-118-48382-4. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- Maslon, L.; Kantor, M. (2013). Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture. Crown. p. 1-PA1939. ISBN 978-0-385-34859-1. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "1939 World Fair Activities Will Include Sports". The Christian Science Monitor. September 15, 1937. p. 10. ProQuest 514524168; "Leading Event in Many Sports Await Visitors to World's Fair; All-Star Baseball Contest and Louis-Galento Title Bout Are Listed—International Polo Series Another Feature". The New York Times. March 19, 1939. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- "World's Fair to Sponsor Boys' Sports Program". New York Herald Tribune. April 18, 1940. p. 28. ProQuest 1258269917; "World's Fair Keeps Program of Sports; Baseball School, Other Events to Be Renewed This Year". The New York Times. April 18, 1940. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Fair Fades Into a Ghost Town; Dismantling Barely Dents Quiet". New York Herald Tribune. October 29, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1262386905; "Razing Under Way on Shell of Fair; Skeleton Staff Winds Up Its Affairs as Wreckers Get to Work in Earnest". The New York Times. October 29, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Hallett, Robert M. (January 11, 1941). "The World's Fair's Legacy to Flushing: .. Park". The Christian Science Monitor. p. WM5. ProQuest 515377595.
- ^ MacGregor, Donald (October 20, 1940). "Taking the World's Fair Apart: the Last Visitor Walks Out. The Wreckers Stalk in – to Turn a World of Fantasy Into a Playground for All Time". New York Herald Tribune. p. SM8. ProQuest 1247324294; Loeb, August (October 27, 1940). "Fine Park From Fair; Flushing Meadow's New Play Area Will Be 'Second to None'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- "Drivers' Strike Halts Removal Of Fair Exhibits: Gates Picketed to Protest Movement of Materials by W. P. A. and Park Men". New York Herald Tribune. October 30, 1940. p. 21A. ProQuest 1259753501; "Fair Strike Slows Exhibit Removal; Teamsters Union Protests on Bench and Shrub Removal by Park Department Men". The New York Times. October 30, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "All Work on Fair Blocked by Strike; General Walkout of A. F. L. Unions Engaged in Razing Will Begin Tomorrow". The New York Times. November 5, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "1,000 Resume Pre-Demolition Work at Fair: Art Displays Are Removed; Wrecking of 400 Buildings to Start Monday". New York Herald Tribune. November 9, 1940. p. 6. ProQuest 1255576434; "Fair's Strike Ends as Mayor Steps in; Ten-Day Stoppage of A.F.L. Groups Engaged In Razing Is Settled at Conference". The New York Times. November 8, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- "Closed a Month, Fair Slips Back To Pristine Mud: Vestiges of Beauty Remain, but Swamp Is Emerging Again as Razing Proceeds". New York Herald Tribune. November 27, 1940. p. 23. ProQuest 1263331320.
- "Copper Buried At Fair Ground Will Be Dug Up: Park Department May Get 200 Tons of Metal From Cables Never Removed". New York Herald Tribune. October 3, 1942. p. 3. ProQuest 1266857498.
- "World's Fair Scrap: Rise in Cost of Iron to Prove Beneficial Closing in October New York, June 25". South China Morning Post. August 22, 1940. p. 13. ProQuest 1764481837; Shalett, Sidney M. (August 19, 1940). "Use of Fair's Steel in Defense Likely; Demolition Will Provide Big Source of Metal for New Hangars and Factories". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- "Five Die at Fair As Ceiling Falls In Railroad Hall: Workmen Tearing Down the Rotunda Drop 50 Feet; Three Others Badly Hurt Rescue Workers Amid the Ruins of a World's Fair Roof". New York Herald Tribune. December 5, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1263338699; "5 Wreckers Killed in Building at Fair; 2 Others Hurt in 50-Foot Fall When False Ceiling of Rail Exhibit Collapses". The New York Times. December 5, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- "Moses Assured Of '41 Fund for Flushing Park: Mayor Says Capital Budget Will Include Money to Convert World Fair Site". New York Herald Tribune. September 18, 1940. p. 23. ProQuest 1259810181; "Moses Won't Halt Fair Park Plans; Says Mayor's Curb on New Projects Does Not Affect Flushing Improvement". The New York Times. September 18, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "Capital Budget For '41 Adopted At $84,585,044: Board of Estimate Votes $750,000 for Fair Park, $600,000 for Bus Tunnel". New York Herald Tribune. December 5, 1940. p. 19. ProQuest 1263340467.
- "First Contract Bids on Flushing Park in; Low Offers for 4 Jobs on Old World's Fair Site Total $77,000". The New York Times. December 28, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- "City Dedicates Rebuilt Pool of Old Aquacade: Mayor and Philharmonie on Amphitheater Program at Flushing Meadow Park". New York Herald Tribune. July 27, 1941. p. 23. ProQuest 1256427944; "Pool to Be Opened on Aquacade Site; State Amphitheatre Also Will Present Water Carnivals After Concert July 26". The New York Times. July 14, 1941. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- Samuel 2007, p. 32.
- Samuel 2007, p. 83.
- Schumach, Murray (June 4, 1967). "Moses Gives City Fair Site as Park; Flushing Meadows in Queens Becomes the 2d Biggest Recreation Area Here". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- "2 Police Precincts Will Be Abolished; an Old Landmark Being Closed". The New York Times. May 3, 1951. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- Prial, Frank J. (September 23, 1972). "Trend to Cuts in Traffic Patrols Seen in Closing of a Queens Unit". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- Zinsser, William K. (January 17, 1960). "A Walk Among World's Fair Ghosts; By 1964 a new World's Fair will rise, right where that other one awed and enchanted millions an age – or was it only twenty years? – ago. World's Fair Ghosts". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- Marzlock, Ron (March 22, 2012). "The Fair's Million-Dollar Aquacade". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- "Mall at the Fair to Remain in Park; Esplanade From Theme Center to the Court of Peace Will Not Be Demolished". The New York Times. October 4, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- Ranson, Jo (August 4, 1940). "Shows to Migrate from Fair Midway to Coney in 1941". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- "Where Are They Now?". Newsweek. Vol. 63, no. 2. January 13, 1965. p. 10. ProQuest 1879112201; Francis, Robert (April 26, 1941). "Coney Figures Itself in for an Old-Fashioned Summer With Plenty of Fun for Everyone". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
- "Plywood House is 16 Years Old: Building Transported From Queens to Jersey Farm Still in Good Shape". The New York Times. June 26, 1955. p. R1. ProQuest 113433350; "World's Fair Exhibit House Still in Use". The Central New Jersey Home News. June 26, 1955. p. 22. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- Hylton, Raymond (2014). Virginia Union University. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 52–54. ISBN 978-1-4671-2248-1. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- "Salvaged Glass Blocks Replace Old Window Sash". Railway Engineering and Maintenance. September 1, 1941. p. 607. ProQuest 896336708.
- "Moses Brands Army Base Plan At Fair a Trick: Charges Attempt to Dodge Demolition Costs; Mayor Replies Defense Is First". New York Herald Tribune. August 26, 1940. p. 1. ProQuest 1255368596; "Army, Navy Spurn Fair as Camp Site, Ending Clash Here; Knox Discloses That Neither Branch of Service Wants It --Gibson and Moses in Row". The New York Times. August 26, 1940. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- "Treasury Interprets Fair Exhibit Ruling; Officials Get Instruction on Disposal of Foreign Goods". The New York Times. November 14, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "Customs Problem at Fair 90% Solved; Clearing Out of Foreign Exhibits Keeps 40 Federal Agents Checking on Regulations". The New York Times. February 8, 1941. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Compere, Thomas (October 13, 1940). "Fair Exhibits From Abroad Pose Problem: Disposal of $20,000,000 Displays Is Complicated by Hitler's Conquests". New York Herald Tribune. p. A1. ProQuest 1243055097.
- "Fair a Desolate Picture as Rain Halts All Work: Only Activity Is Auction of Furniture, and Few Chilly Customers Find Bargains". New York Herald Tribune. November 13, 1940. p. 19. ProQuest 1264428384; "Fair Removal Begun at Foreign Pavilions; New U.S. Ruling Permits Seven Nations to Speed Work". The New York Times. November 15, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- "Restaurants: The King". Time. February 4, 1966. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- Franey, Pierre (October 18, 1989). "De Gustibus; Innocence Abroad: Memories of '39 Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- "Fair's Foreigners Face Crisis Oct. 27; 350 Attaches of Pavilions Must Return to War-Torn Homes or Win U.S. Stay". The New York Times. October 3, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Orphan Nations At Fair Facing Vital Quandary: Foreign Area Musi Dispose of S20,000,000 Exhibits 400 Employees Stranded". New York Herald Tribune. October 28, 1940. p. 9A. ProQuest 1320092681.
- "Bill Would Let Alien Employes at the Fair Stay in U.S. if War Bars Them From Home". The New York Times. October 8, 1940. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Green, Amanda (February 26, 2013). "5 non-gold treasures stored at Fort Knox". theweek. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Nazi Victims Offer Fair's Riches to Us; Britain Also is Among Nations That Will Donate or Lend Treasures After Oct. 27". The New York Times. September 6, 1940. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- "Quid Plura? | "Moja Droga, Ja Cię Kocham ..."". November 24, 2008. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
- ^ "World's Fair Foreign Accounts Totaling 15 Millions Balanced: World's Fair Railroad Exhibits That Still Await Their Fate". New York Herald Tribune. November 7, 1943. p. A2. ProQuest 1325203253.
- "Library Receives Washington Panel, Britain's Gift". The Washington Post. July 4, 1941. p. 11. ProQuest 151376590.
- Burrows, Carlyle (August 10, 1941). "Two Loan Displays Of French Artists". New York Herald Tribune. p. E5. ProQuest 1263763665; Linn, Thomas C. (August 10, 1941). "Louvre Works Ours for War; Metropolitan Museum to Be Custodian of Paintings—Art Sales in City". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "French Art Put On View Today; World's Fair Exhibit With Additions to Be Shown by Riverside Museum". The New York Times. December 8, 1940. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Sheraton, Mimi (December 17, 2007). "The Frog at Forty-five". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Italian Trains From World's Fair Are Seized by U. S. for Scrap". New York Herald Tribune. October 1, 1942. p. 1. ProQuest 1267865594.
- Crist, Judith (December 28, 1954). "The Statue Nobody Wants Not Going to Lodi, Either". New York Herald Tribune. p. 17. ProQuest 1322574480; "A Concrete Belle Breaks Both Legs; Prima Donna of World's Fair Falls in Hoboken on Eve of Modest Recognition". The New York Times. March 27, 1955. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "Rejected Statue Gets Haven Here; Figure of Hungary's Patron Saint Given to City—Reds Refused Its Return Statue Is Purchased". The New York Times. November 1, 1956. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "N.Y. Fair Bondholders to Get 38 P.C. Return on Investment: Exhibitors Satisfied Chase Bank Paid Back". The Christian Science Monitor. October 23, 1940. p. 21. ProQuest 515260177; "World Fair Bondholders to Receive Total of 38.4 Cents on the Dollar; Gibson Says That $5,056,800 Is Available for Redemption of Debentures—Season's Profit Is Put at $5,020,000". The New York Times. October 23, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "N.Y. World's Fair Bondholders Get 39.2c on Dollar". The Christian Science Monitor. October 31, 1940. p. 20. ProQuest 515424976; "Fair Now to Pay 39.2c on Dollar; Estimated Return for 3,000 Investors Raised as Result of Last Week-End Business". The New York Times. October 31, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- Samuel 2007, p. 42.
- Hornaday, Mary (September 23, 1965). "World's Fair Plans for Closing Curtain: Pavilions to Move". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 11. ProQuest 510830485.
- "Fair Amusements to Show a Profit; Net This Year Put at 'Nominal to Handsome' as Big Costs of '39 Are Eliminated". The New York Times. October 24, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Fairs-Expositions: Final Figures New York World's Fair—1939 and 1940". The Billboard. Vol. 53, no. 15. April 12, 1941. p. 62. ProQuest 1032248375.
- "Gibson Plans Cash Distribution To World's Fair Lien Holders". New York Herald Tribune. January 3, 1941. p. 23. ProQuest 1266876967; "$2,081,867 Is Paid On World's Fair Bonds: Distribution Is First On Principal Since 2 In 1939—Brings Return To 27 Cents On Dollar". The Baltimore Sun. January 4, 1941. p. 7. ProQuest 538434451.
- "World Fair Aid Still Engaged in Settling Affairs: Solitary Worker Answering Requests for Data and Striving to Close Books The Last Employee of the World's Fair". New York Herald Tribune. January 24, 1943. p. 5. ProQuest 1264621381; "What About the World's Fair? Well, It's Still Kicking Around; At Least It Has an Office, One Borrowed Typewriter, 3 Operating Officials and a 'Pain in the Neck' in Those Bonds". The New York Times. April 30, 1942. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "Retail Executive: World's Fair Of 1940 Ordered Dissolved". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 69, no. 23. August 3, 1944. p. 29. ProQuest 1842071923.
- "1940 World's Fair Asks Dissolution". Democrat and Chronicle. July 15, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved September 11, 2024; "Dissolution is Asked by the World's Fair; Corporation Lists $19,069,764 Balance Due Stockholders". The New York Times. July 14, 1944. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- "World Fairs Will Show Science in Action". Dunkirk Evening Observer. March 12, 1938. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- Butcher, Harold (April 15, 1939). "New York World's Fair: Its International Significance". The Scotsman. p. 16. ProQuest 481423335.
- Robb, Inez (May 1, 1939). "World of Tomorrow Has the Same Old Hot Dogs, Both Kinds: 40,000 Hear Fair Opened By Roosevelt". The Washington Post. p. 1. ProQuest 151212415.
- "Europe Divided on World's Fair; First Reports on the Show Are in Tune With National Aims and Policies Italy's Reaction". The New York Times. May 7, 1939. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- "Fair Pleases Its Visitors, Poll Finds: 83 Per Cent of Those 'Who've Been There' Say They 'Liked' It Very Much Survey". The Washington Post. August 20, 1939. p. B1. ProQuest 151168617; "Survey Supports Fair's Popularity; Gallup Agents Find Women Are More Enthusiastic About It Than Men". The New York Times. August 20, 1939. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- "The World's Fair That May Have Ended World's Fairs". The Baltimore Sun. October 28, 1940. p. 10. ProQuest 543011814.
- Crozier, Emmet (April 24, 1949). "Once There Was a World's Fair...". New York Herald Tribune. p. A1. ProQuest 1327488597.
- "Restricted Zoning in Fair Area Urged; Queens Leader Moves to Balk Underhand Speculation and Irregular Building". The New York Times. January 18, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024; "Zone Hearing Set for Fair Area". Times Union. February 2, 1936. p. 5. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Protests Delay Zoning Near World's Fair: Board of Estimate Holds Up Restrictions on Signs, Parking, Amusements Discriminations Charged Resolution Prohibits High Buildings Near Grounds". New York Herald Tribune. June 5, 1937. p. 6. ProQuest 1243535262; "Harvey is Set Back in Fair Zone Fight; Estimate Board Votes to Put Restrictions on Part of Area Adjacent to Flushing Site". The New York Times. June 5, 1937. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "City Votes to Restrict Grounds Surrounding '39 World's Fair". New York Herald Tribune. September 28, 1937. p. 19. ProQuest 1251158864; "World's Fair Zone is Created by City; Commercial Activities Within 1,000 Feet of Present Site Subject to Regulation". The New York Times. September 28, 1937. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- Cooper, Lee E. (October 26, 1938). "Various Branches of Real Estate Industry Feel Effects of Approaching World's Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "N. Y. Fair Will Aid Recovery, Says Whalen: 50,000,000 Visitors Due to Spend Huge Sums, He Tells Sales Executives". New York Herald Tribune. October 20, 1936. p. 41. ProQuest 1327553027; "Fair Seen as Spur in Big Trade Area; Whalen Says Other States as Well as New York Will Gain by 50,000,000 Influx". The New York Times. October 20, 1936. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- "Surplus Likely For World Fair, Backers Find: Prospectus for Debentures Sees $1,024,158 Profit if 50,000,000 Attend 2d Year Is Considered Capital Investment of 125 Million Figured On". New York Herald Tribune. November 27, 1936. p. 20. ProQuest 1240529164; "Profit on Fair Sure if 50,000,000 See It; Prospectus for Bond Buyers Holds 'Reasonable Hope' That Such Will Be the Case". The New York Times. November 27, 1936. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- "Fifth Ave. Starts To 'Primp' for '39 World's Fair: Retailers Between 34th and 42d Streets Rebuild, Modernize and Expand New jersey House Bought by New York Interest". New York Herald Tribune. August 8, 1937. p. D4. ProQuest 1250488751.
- "15%–30% Rise Announced in City Hotel Rates: Increase in World's Fair Year Is Ascribed to Steadily Mounting Costs". New York Herald Tribune. February 8, 1939. p. 13. ProQuest 1260490148; "New York Hotels Will Raise Rates For World's Fair". The Hartford Courant. February 3, 1939. p. 3. ProQuest 559146792.
- "Mayor Vetoes World Fair Tax Exemption Bill: Finds Faulty Drafting in Measure to Which He Had Given Personal Approval and It Will Be Rewritten". New York Herald Tribune. June 7, 1938. p. 8. ProQuest 1244318560; "City Sales Tax Saved by La Guardia Veto; Fair Bill So Worded as to End Relief Levy". The New York Times. June 7, 1938. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "Fair is Expected to Aid State Trade; 150 Legislators at Preview-- 25,000 Will Go on Job to Rush the Work". The New York Times. April 23, 1939. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- "See World Fair Boosting Trade By 10 Billion: Billion Dollars Added To N. Y. Business Will Be Respent 10 Times In U. S., Whalen Points Out". Women's Wear Daily. Vol. 58, no. 44. March 6, 1939. pp. 2, 19. ProQuest 1728702813.
- "N. Y. State Attracts: Visitors To World's Fair Invited To View State's Scenic Attractions". The Baltimore Sun. June 11, 1939. p. R5. ProQuest 543082894.
- "World's Fair Spurred Traffic to New York, But Fewer Commuted: Total Traffic Up 3.3% in 1939, But Commutation Extended Decline of Past 10 Years". The Wall Street Journal. April 1, 1940. p. 7. ProQuest 131326866; "Rail Traffic Here Showed Rise in '39; 8,725,202 More Passengers on Roads and Ferryboats Are Reported by Transit Board". The New York Times. April 1, 1940. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- "Sharp 1939–40 Rise in Traffic Noted; Vehicles Entering and Leaving Manhattan Below 61st St. Show Spurt in Period". The New York Times. June 1, 1941. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "World's Series Fans, Fair Patrons Bring Boom To New York's Hotels". The Hartford Courant. October 5, 1939. p. 2. ProQuest 559256026.
- "Miscellany: Tourists Spread Out, Not Limiting Selves Just to Flushing Meadows". Variety. Vol. 139, no. 2. June 19, 1940. p. 2. ProQuest 1285770111.
- "Archives of Fair to Go to Library; Permanent Records Including Photographs, Clippings and Signatures Will Be Kept". The New York Times. October 25, 1940. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- "World's Fair: Enter the World of Tomorrow". Biblion: the boundless library. New York Public Library. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- Futter, Catherine L. (March 2012). "Designing Tomorrow: America's World's Fairs of the 1930s". Design and Culture. 4 (1): 98–102. doi:10.2752/175470812X13176523285435. ISSN 1754-7075.
- Reif, Rita (July 6, 1980). "Antiques; Treasure and Trivia From the 1939 Fair". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- Duggan, Dennis (December 11, 1999). "1939–40 World's Fair / Queens of the Fair". Newsday. p. G06. ProQuest 279277888.
- Leibowitz, Barry (August 2, 2010). "Book 'Em: Twilight at the World of Tomorrow". CBS News. Retrieved September 10, 2024; Nelson, Samantha (July 15, 2010). "James Mauro: Twilight At The World of Tomorrow". AV Club. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- Antos, Jason D. (April 25, 2018). "The World of Tomorrow Returns To Film Forum 34 Years After Its Premiere". Queens Gazette. Retrieved September 12, 2024; Canby, Vincent (March 7, 1984). "Screen: 'The World of Tomorrow'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
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- Caro, Robert (1974). The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York. New York: Knopf. ISBN 978-0-394-48076-3. OCLC 834874.
- Cotter, Bill (2009). The 1939–1940 New York World's Fair. Images of America. Arcadia Pub. ISBN 978-0-7385-6534-7.
- Hamlin, Talbot (November 1938). "World's Fair 1939 Model" (PDF). Pencil Points. Vol. 19.
- Monaghan, Frank, ed. (1939). Official Guide Book of the New York World's Fair, 1939. Exposition Publications. OCLC 575567.
- Official guide book of the New York World's Fair, 1939 : building the world of tomorrow. New York: Exposition Publications. 1939. OCLC 123481289.
- Patterson, Sterling (April 1939). "Miracle of the Marshes: Two short years ago a metropolitan dis grace. Today a beautiful and startling ex travaganza. That's the story of a two-mile square area of Long Island that's become the setting for the New York World's Fair". Better Homes and Gardens. Vol. 17, no. 8. pp. 20–21, 87–91. ProQuest 1715496162.
- Samuel, Lawrence R. (August 30, 2007). The End of the Innocence: The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair (1st ed.). Syracuse University Press. ISBN 978-0-8156-0890-5.
- Stern, Robert A. M.; Gilmartin, Patrick; Mellins, Thomas (1987). New York 1930: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Two World Wars. New York: Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0-8478-3096-1. OCLC 13860977.
- Steinberg, Ted (July 21, 2015). Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York. Simon and Schuster. pp. 209–225. ISBN 978-1-4767-4128-4.
- Wasson, Haidee (2012). "The Other Small Screen: Moving Images at New York's World Fair, 1939". Canadian Journal of Film Studies. 21 (1): 81–103. doi:10.3138/cjfs.21.1.81. ISSN 0847-5911. ProQuest 1356976868.
- Whalen, Grover A. (January 1939). "The New York World's Fair of 1939: Fair Progress in a Nutshell". Bankers' Magazine. Vol. 138, no. 1. p. 27. ProQuest 124369078.
- Wood, Andrew F. (2004). New York's 1939–1940 World's Fair. Postcard history series. Arcadia. ISBN 978-0-7385-3585-2. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- Wurts, Richard; Appelbaum, Stanley (1977). The New York World's Fair, 1939/1940 in 155 photographs. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0-486-23494-6. OCLC 3379917.
Further reading
- Gelernter, David Hillel (1996). 1939, the lost world of the Fair. New York: Avon Books. ISBN 978-0-380-72748-3. OCLC 34889552.
- Kargon, Robert H.; Molella, Arthur P.; Low, Morris; Fiss, Karen (2015). World's fairs on the eve of war : science, technology, and modernity, 1937-1942. Pittsburgh, Pa.: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN 978-0-8229-8114-5. OCLC 933516797.
- Mauro, James (2010). Twilight at the world of tomorrow : genius, madness, murder, and the 1939 World's Fair on the brink of war. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-51214-7. OCLC 449845319.
- Reid, Kenneth (December 1936). "World's Fair Competition" (PDF). Pencil Points: 653–677.
- Roesch, Roberta (1967). World's fairs : yesterday, today, tomorrow. The John Day Company. pp. 61–68 – via Internet Archive.
- Zim, Larry; Lerner, Mel; Rolfes, Herbert (1988). The world of tomorrow : the 1939 New York World's Fair. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 978-0-06-015923-8. OCLC 18970335.
External links
- New York World's 1939–1940 records, 1935–1945 Manuscripts and Archives, New York Public Library.
- WNYC Broadcasts from the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair
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