As work continues
at a fevered pitch on the Flushing Meadows site of the Fair, the
steel framework of The World of Food stands nearly abandoned in
the background. This view is taken from near the Main Entrance
of the Fair looking toward the entrance tower of The World of
Food. Note the completed Mormon and Gas Inc. Pavilions to the
right.
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Source: New York
World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation Records,
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Source: Manuscripts and Archives Division,
The New York Public Library,
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Source: Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
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Source: Reproduced here courtesy of The
New York Public Library, with permission
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Source: May not be reproduced
without written consent of The New York Public Library
How Far Behind?
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MEMORANDUM
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
1964-1965 CORPORATION
DATE: January 21, 1964
To: Mr. V. J. Thornton
From: William Douglas Jr.
SUBJECT: Review of Progress
Schedule submitted
World of Food January 15, 1964
a. Foundation and foundation concrete completed approximately
as scheduled.
b. Structural steel, although
not started as indicated on schedule, probably could have been
completed as scheduled.
c. Floor and roof joists
not started as shown on schedule. Could not be started until
steel is at least partially bolted and realistic schedule should
show completion approximately February 15.
d. Forms for floors and roof
could not be started until joists are completed on at least one
floor. Therefore, completion should be approximately February
23.
e. Concrete floor slabs cannot
be started until forms are completed on at least one door. Therefore,
slabs should be completed approximately March 10.
f. It is usual and customary
for stairs to be installed prior to placing concrete floor slabs.
To the best of my knowledge these stairs are not on the job so
this item could definitely affect (e) above.
g. Mullions cannot be installed
prior to completion of bolting of steel. Therefore, that could
not be completed prior to the first of March and it is also very
difficult, almost impossible, to place the mullions until the
concrete floor slabs have been placed and stripped.
h. Waterproofing - no comment.
i. Masonry schedule realistic
concerning length of installation if period was other than February
and March, the worst periods of the year to place masonry.
j. As of January 15th architects
own admission the order for the exterior wall panels had not
been placed. Considering a usual 2 to 3 month delivery time on
this type panel, construction could not have conceivably started
prior to approximately the 10th of March for completion on the
10th of April.
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MEMORANDUM
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
1964-1965 CORPORATION
DATE: January 21, 1964
Page 2
To: Mr. V. J. Thornton
From: William Douglas Jr.
SUBJECT: Review of Progress
Schedule submitted
World of Food January 15, 1964
k. Escalators, because of
the intricate machinery and electrical connections, are customarily
not installed until the building is weather tight. Allowing a
minimum of one month for this installation, it appears unlikely
that they could be completed prior to the 15th of May.
1. The same is true for elevators
as escalators.
m. As the roof cannot be
completed until the roof slab is placed, usually the last slab
to be placed, it appears the building could be roofed over at
approximately the first of April.
n. As the majority of carpentry
and especially the finished type are done after the lathing and
plastering that cannot be reasonably completed until May 15.
o. The hollow metal work
is customarily one of the last items and in any
event cannot be finished until after the building is closed in,
and
Escalators and elevators all installed. Suggested completion
date -
May 31.
p. Ductwork schedule realistic
but as of January 15 no contract had been let to the best of
my knowledge. Assuming the immediate letting of a contract and
allowing two weeks for shop drawings, the ductwork would probably
be completed approximately the 22nd of April.
q. The acoustical ceiling
work cannot start prior to the ductwork being relatively finished
and ceramic tile, elevators, and escalators installed. Realistic
completion date approximately the 5th of June.
r. Architectural metal -
no comment.
s. Lath and plaster cannot
start prior to the completion of exterior walls, so realistic
completion date would be approximately May 5.
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MEMORANDUM
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
1964-1965 CORPORATION
DATE: January 21, 1964
Page 3
To: Mr. V. J. Thornton
From: William Douglas Jr.
SUBJECT: Review of Progress
Schedule submitted
World of Food January 15, 1964
t. Ceramic tile cannot be
completed ahead of the plastering so realistic date for ceramic
tile would be approximately May 5 also.
u. Toilet partitions cannot
start until tile is partially installed so consider May 15 as
completion date.
v. Hardware - no comment.
w. Glazing - no comment.
x. Painting cannot be completed
until lath and plastering is completed so consider May 20 for
completion.
y. Plumbing cannot be completed
until ceramic tile is finished so a realistic date for plumbing
would be approximately May 20.
z. HVAC cannot be completed
until acoustic tile is finished so realistic date for HVAC would
be May 20.
aa. Electrical work would
be completed concurrent with HVAC, so also May 20.
Because of the difficulties
with labor unions and the movement of materials, it would be
inconceivable that very much exhibit work can be done prior to
the completion of the building. Allowing a minimum of two weeks
for installation of exhibit material and then the retouching
of paint, doors, etc., it appears the building could be open
to the public approximately June 15.
In compiling this report,
the writer used in practically all instances, the amount of workdays
as indicated on the submitted progress schedule. In most instances,
the time interval for each installation was sufficient only under
the best working conditions; i. e., good weather, no labor problems,
materials delivered as promised on schedule, and materials ordered
with sufficient lead-time. It is a little unrealistic to assume
that everything would run perfectly on a job of this magnitude.
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MEMORANDUM
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
1964-1965 CORPORATION
DATE: January 21, 1964
Page 4
To: Mr. V. J. Thornton
From: William Douglas Jr.
SUBJECT: Review of Progress
Schedule submitted
World of Food January 15, 1964
Construction on this project
started right after the first of year 1963. In the course of
one year, they have completed 20% to 30% of the construction.
It is unrealistic to anticipate remaining 70% to 80% could be
completed in 3 months time.
The above report was written
by an engineer with 25 years of construction experience, much
of it in this area, much of it on this type of building, and
much of it in a position where scheduling was an important part
of my position.
WDJr/clk PERMIT OFFICER
cc:
Gen. W. E. Potter
Gem Win. Whipple
File
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Source: New York
World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation Records,
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Source: Manuscripts and Archives Division,
The New York Public Library,
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Source: Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
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Source: Reproduced here courtesy of The
New York Public Library, with permission
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Source: May not be reproduced
without written consent of The New York Public Library
Photographs of the
steel framework taken just days prior to its demolition by the
World's Fair Corporation. Early plans for the pavilion had called
for a five-story structure. At the time of demolition, they had
already been talking about eliminating the second floor leaving
only one floor of exhibit space! How many exhibitors had abandoned
the project and found space in the Better Living Building by this
time is unknown. However most, if not all, of the exhibitors who
had contracted with World of Food did display elsewhere at the
Fair.
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Source: New York
World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation Records,
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Source: Manuscripts and Archives Division,
The New York Public Library,
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Source: Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
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Source: Reproduced here courtesy of The
New York Public Library, with permission
-
Source: May not be reproduced
without written consent of The New York Public Library
The End for The World of Food
The World of
Food would not go without a fight and soon filed suit against
the Fair Corporation to prevent the termination of their agreement
with the Fair. At stake was the hundreds of thousands of dollars
already invested in the project. Ultimately, the courts decided
for the Fair Corporation in early April, 1964, awarding them not
only the authority to oust The World of Food from the grounds,
but also the salvage rights to the materials on site.
On April 11,
1964, at 7 a.m., (less than two weeks prior to the opening of
the Fair) the Fessler Iron Works started to take the steel down.
On April 13, 1964, the back fill on the lot was completed.
There was a lot
of back and forth as to owned the steel. The steel was not buried
on site as had been rumored. Through a court decision the steel
became the property of the World’s Fair Corporation. One
parcel of steel was sold to A. Green and Co. for $.015 per pound.
There were 555,820 lbs. in that parcel which paid the World’s
Fair Corporation $8,337.30. The relandscaping costs were absorbed
by the World’s Fair Corporation.
When the steel
came down it had to be stored someplace, so the Fair Corporation
contacted the Dreier Structural Steel Co. in Long Island City,
for storage. The Fair Corporation ended up paying $500 a month
in storage fees. The last lot, the one mentioned above, was sold
in mid 1965. So the Fair Corporation ended up paying close to
18 months in storage fees..
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MEMORANDUM
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR
1964-1965 CORPORATION
DATE: APRIL 7, 1964
To: GEN. WM. WHIPPLE
From: GEN. W. S. POTTER
Subject: WORLD OF FOOD
Attached is a decision in the World
of Food case. In our language this means that we may proceed
with the demolition of the World of Food Exhibit
Mr. Moses has decided that the structure
should be demolished and the site landscaped prior to Opening
Day. This will involve considerable back-fill and landscaping.
Steel was erected by Fassler iron Works.
He may have an interest in the steel.
You are directed to demolish the structure
and have the steel and finished items stored to our account until
disposition can be made. Deal first with Fassler and if a satisfactory
deal cannot be arrived at, then deal with others of your selection.
Please consult with our lawyers in arranging
for the legal aspects of the contract.
W. E. Potter
- cc: Mr. R. Moses
- cc: Mr.
C. preusse
- cc: Mr.
E. Thornton
- cc: Mr.
E. Witt
- cc: Mr.
Win. Denny
- Central File
- WEP File - Expediting
- WEP File - World of Food
- Reading File
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Source: New York
World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation Records,
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Source: Manuscripts and Archives Division,
The New York Public Library,
-
Source: Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
-
Source: Reproduced here courtesy of The
New York Public Library, with permission
-
Source: May not be reproduced
without written consent of The New York Public Library
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Close-up of the tablecloth
image (left) and a lacy version (right). The World of Food lives
on in collectibles!
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Since the fate of the pavilion
was not known until just a few weeks before the gates opened,
it was impossible to pull its image from souvenir licensees with
such little notice. Therefore, the World of Food can be found
on many of the souvenirs, pamphlets and advertising materials
of the Fair.
This tablecloth is just
one example of how the phantom World of Food Pavilion
(second image from the left at the bottom) lives on in the history
of the Fair without ever having entertained a single Fairgoer!
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Source: (top)
on-line Auction (eBay)
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Source: (bottom)
Richard Post Collection
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Hershey's candy bars
of the time advertised that company's exhibit at the World of
Food. Hershey's exhibit would be hosted at the Better Living Pavilion
for the run of the Fair.
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Source: on-line
Auction (eBay)
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webmaster's
note ... I'd
like to thank Mr. Philip Ras for digging into the files of the
Fair Corporation at the New York Public Library to find this
information. I've long wondered what the story was with The World
of Food and I suppose other "World's Fair Nuts" like
me might be curious as well. Phil has answered a lot of questions
by finding this information. Thanks for solving a mystery, Phil!
Bill Young -
October 26, 2001
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