(Wood 30)
The Structures
"The Trylon and Perisphere symbolize the theme; inside the Perisphere, the city of the future and the spectacle in the heavens dramatize the theme. And you might say that the whole Fair stems from the center, because the Fair itself contributes to the building of the World of Tomorrow and is an illustration of the interdependence of all men." (Van Dort, page 1) It was designed by Wallace K. Harrison and André Fouilhoux. "The sphere was chosen because a ball is the ideal form of enclosing the largest possible amount of space with the smallest amount of material; with the sphere the natural contrasting from is a tower. Together these two simple and familiar forms are instantly striking and permanently impressive."
The original plans called for a 700 foot Trylon and a larger Perisphere, but money ran short (Van Dort, page 1) The pylon was three-sided and stood 610 feet high (Van Dort, page 1). The Perisphere, measured 185 feet in diameter (Van Dort, page 1). Both were constructed with 2,000 cubic yards of concrete and reinforced steel and 3,000 tons of structural steel resting on more than 1,000 pilings of Douglas fir creosoted for durability. (Van Dort,page 1) Each structure weighed approximately 10,000 tons (Van Dort, page 1).
The Perisphere was designed to sit on 8 small pylons, these mirrored supports combined with fountains equaled an illusion the structure was weightless (Cotter 15). Inside the Perisphere was the "Democracy" exhibit, which was a big model of "The City of the Future–it could hold more than 1,000,000 people. Outside was five satellite towns with roadways connecting them back to the center of the metropolis. The designs were popular & thus licensed, used in about 25,00 products and earned the Fair $1 million (Cotter 15). You can get your replica by going to the New York page and scroll down to souvenirs.
The original plans called for a 700 foot Trylon and a larger Perisphere, but money ran short (Van Dort, page 1) The pylon was three-sided and stood 610 feet high (Van Dort, page 1). The Perisphere, measured 185 feet in diameter (Van Dort, page 1). Both were constructed with 2,000 cubic yards of concrete and reinforced steel and 3,000 tons of structural steel resting on more than 1,000 pilings of Douglas fir creosoted for durability. (Van Dort,page 1) Each structure weighed approximately 10,000 tons (Van Dort, page 1).
The Perisphere was designed to sit on 8 small pylons, these mirrored supports combined with fountains equaled an illusion the structure was weightless (Cotter 15). Inside the Perisphere was the "Democracy" exhibit, which was a big model of "The City of the Future–it could hold more than 1,000,000 people. Outside was five satellite towns with roadways connecting them back to the center of the metropolis. The designs were popular & thus licensed, used in about 25,00 products and earned the Fair $1 million (Cotter 15). You can get your replica by going to the New York page and scroll down to souvenirs.