Unisphere: Miracle in the Meadow

Students will learn the history and architecture behind the centerpiece of the 1964/65 New York World's Fair -- the Unisphere.

The tradition of erecting a centerpiece for a Universal Exposition (a.k.a. World’s Fair) dates back to 1889. A group of New York City businessmen, recruited a much-older (and less-popular) Robert Moses to create, once again, a New York World’s Fair in 1964 – the 25th anniversary of the earlier fair, on the same grounds in Flushing Meadow for their children and grandchildren to enjoy. As fair president, Moses’ first priority was to find a suitable centerpiece – akin to the Trylon and Perisphere - that would represent the fair around the world. It was a tough act to follow, but with the beautiful design of landscape architect Gilmore Clarke and the engineering/construction expertise (and generosity) of the United States Steel Company, the Unisphere, the centerpiece of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair, was born and remains as a permanent gift to the ages.