John Adams High School - Clipper Yearbook (Ozone Park, NY)

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World Fairs - I939 JEAN WIENER-WILLIAM SCHWARZ PON a marshy, bleak tract of land, which formerly served the purpose of a dumping ground, the inightest city of today has set out to fullill a vision to the extent of realization. Amidst these sectors of ash heaps, New York City has laid plans for the grandeur and splendor of a fair of the world during the year of 1959. It will be a fair which will relate a tale for every man, every- where, because of its reviewing of to- morrow in relation to today. New York will secure an inveslment in good will which will be invaluable to industry and the security of the country. However, most of us do not realize or understand the purpose, signifi- cance, and plans of the Fair. Let us, therefore, delve into some of these as- pects in detail. The theme of the New York XVorld's Fair is to represent the Xvorld of Tomorrow, and will show the necessity of a modern life in unity. The exposition wonders will he dom- inated by the two Theme Centre structuresg the Perisphere, a two- hundred foot, eighteen story globe, seemingly supported by fountain spray, which houses an immense circular theatre for display pointing the high- road to Tomorrow, and the Trylon, a seven-hundred foot, fifty story, three- sided needle. The purpose behind the entire work is to promote international relationships, and to emphasize the interrelationship of all men's inter- ests. So far, sixty-two nations and the League of Nations have accepted invitations to the exposition, and the entire civilized world is expected to participate. The Fair is divided into fourteen major sections, each one significant to modern life. These zones will radiate from the Theme Centre. They are: Government, Production, Transporta- I7

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I8 tion , Communication, Distribution, Business Systems, Shelter, Clothing and Cosmetics, Sustenance, Health and Public Welfare, Education, Recreation, Arts, and Religion. The zone ar- rangement eliminates confusion, mini- mizes physical exhaustion among vis- itorsg moreover, it permits a clearer understanding of present day civiliza- tion. Twenty-five nations are laying cor- nerstones for their own buildings in extension of exhibits in the Hall of Nations. These displays are hailed as the first living geography of the world. Each country will present re- productions of its important industries and cities. For example, the Irish Free State is erecting a small island, an exact duplicate in relief of Ire- land. Lakes and rivers will be filled with water brought from the River Shannon and others. Even the soil will come from fields of the counties of Eire. Great Britain has contracted for the largest amount of space in order to house all sections of a vast empire. Among exhibitors will be Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and the Crown Colonies. The exhibit will deal with major industries such as iron and steel, textiles, and fishing, and will show how Britain has contributed to progress in the past and is continuing to do so for the future. The nations will even ex- port humans to complete the exhibits -East Indian weavers, artisans from the Orient, and dancers from Siam are among them. As many as 250,000 hungry sight- seers can be accommodated in the eighty restaurants to dot the grounds. And . . . thirty million frankfurters and hamburgers will be eaten next year at the World's Fair. Many na- tions will present their own foods in their native restaurants. France, for instance will offer a canard nantais a l'orange, Belgium will specialize in Flemish and Walloon dishes, with delicacies cooked in fig leaves, Cuba will have arroz con pollo. Has any- one called the waiter? One of the most magnificent and costly structures is the 360,000,000 Central Mall. A sixty-five foot like- ness of Washington fthe Fair open- ing date, April 30, 1939, commemmo- rates the inauguration of Washington, April 30, 17891, numerous legendary figures, 120-foot pythons, cascaded fountain pools, splendid exhibit halls, hundreds of shade trees, a million tulips, and entirely new lighting ef- fects, are some of the embellishments of the Central Avenue. Amusements, in the form of rides, music, sports, drama, and other en- tertainment will provide great attrac- tions. The music program is to in- clude opera, symphony, choral and religious presentations, light opera, folk music, ballet, and the dances of this and other nations. Children's World may prove the most popular attraction. Games of every descrip- tion will be available in this minia- ture world, and children will be under trained supervision for play, re- pose, or feeding. Other features will be a Strange As It Seems show, Live Monsters, and Enchanted Forest. Men will appreciate the separate building for Men, His Sports, His Clothes. Boys who wish to learn