Medford mail tribune., July 06, 1958, Image 38

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achievements and hopes also for cold wars and girl-watching.
Duilt directly opposite each other, they
e for fair-goers just as they do for
influence in the world outside.
I Their exhibits are studies in contrast,
die Russian pavilion is massive and
ifuseum-like; the U. S. one, graceful and
lry. Russia's presentation of her cul
ture is deadly serious; America's, bright
aid witty. Tourists complain that the
many heroic statues in the U.S.S.R.
jjavilion make them feel like they're being
patched by Big Brother. But there are
Complaints about our presentations,
particularly the high prices for ham-
urgers and hot dogs, almost as
pensive as Russian caviar.
Other countries may have smaller
xhibits, but they have not been over-
ladowed by the two colossuses. The
Jbutch, for example, have displays of
miniature working machinery to show
tow they salvage precious land from
vaters of the Zuider Zee. West Germany
lepicts its accomplishments in post
war building with a handsome pavilion
instructed from prefabricated parts in
nly 18 hours. Israel, celebrating its
LOth anniversary as a nation, contrasts
modern achievements in agriculture
md industry with scenes of the Holy
-.and in Biblical times.
On the lighter side, but equally sig
ificant, is an amusement park featuring
trin to "outer soace" for children. A
r
giant "rocket ship" uses motion-picture
screens as windows to give youngsters
the illusion of blasting off from the fair
grounds and soaring over Brussels before
circling the moon and returning.
Another symbol of our age, the
Atomium, hovers dramatically over all
the exhibits. Representing a crystal of
iron enlarged 150 million times, the struc
ture consists of eight burnished metal
spheres surrounding a "nucleus." The
spheres, many occupied by scientific
exhibits, are connected by slim tubes
which enclose escalators. Visitors who
ride to the top "electron," 320 feet high,
can enjoy French cuisine in a swank
restaurant whose view commands
the entire fairgounds.
Officials expect 35 million persons to
visit the fair this, Summer. So far, the
parade of sightseers has been particularly
fascinated by the Russians' display of
their beloved Sputnik and the relatives
of its dog passenger, the late Laika. Yet
the U.S. appears to have trumped this
Soviet ace with an age-old weapon
pretty girls in stunning dress
at a daily fashion show.
But it's a rather hollow victory
only one of the models is American.
Aerial gondolas travel much of the fairground area to save Much of U. S. pavilion is parklike. Said a Russian
visitors' feet for the lengthy walks around the exhibits, upon seeing pool: "We'd have put a machine there!"
i': i
toil '- '
7
Faces of visitors from all nations reflect interest in a United
States display. Our presentations include panoramic views
IP
of Philadelphia and electronic brain that answers
in 10 languages any history question from 4 B.C.
H i j ' ii
H II II
At night, lights of each sphere flash to represent orbits of
the electrons as they move around nucleus of Atomium.
The Soviet, pavilion is popular, but gay fair-goers
find little fun here just "hard sell" propaganda.
t, ... .... v ... . ., A .
IS
Things are different at the American pavilion. High spot
is a fashion show which, so far, has even outdrawn Sput
nik and the sturdy miss who trains dogs for space
travel. But Russian cultural events are topnotch.
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o
Family Weekly, July 6. 1958
13