Weird Food Photos of the New York World's Fair

The 1939-1940 World's Fair in New York City was billed as an exhibition that showcased the "Dawn of a New Day." As such, there was plenty of technological innovation on display, but perhaps some of the most memorable images of the event are those featuring food. Check out some of the wackiest food photos from the New York Public Library Digital Collections for some delicious laughs.
 

New York
Bumper stickers. Image ID: 2015761

 

Sir Hubert Wilkins and Shelia Barrett at Ham and Turkey Carving contest
Sir Hubert Wilkins and Shelia Barrett at Ham and Turkey Carving contest. Image ID: 1667933

 

Girl with head in giant doughnut
Girl with head in giant doughnut. Image ID: 1668371

 

Members of Flatbush Boys Club in hot dog eating race
Members of Flatbush Boys Club in hot dog eating race. Image ID: 1682273

 

Chefs eating
Chefs eating. Image ID: 1683607

 

Kentucky Day Cake
Kentucky Day Cake. Image ID: 1676583

 

Three women tasting doughnuts
Three women tasting doughnuts. Image ID: 1668365

 

Man and woman eating giant ice cream cone
Man and woman eating giant ice cream cone. Image ID: 1671531

 

Members of the Exalted Order of Hot Dog Fanciers
Members of the Exalted Order of Hot Dog Fanciers. Image ID: 1682265

 

Cat with cocktail
Cat with cocktail. Image ID: 1681377




 

Boy Scouts Flapjack Contest
Boy Scouts Flapjack Contest. Image ID: 1665913


 

Winner of Most Beautiful Waitress contest eating hot dog
Winner of Most Beautiful Waitress contest eating hot dog. Image ID: 1682269

 

Woman with tomato shaped like Trylon and Perisphere
Woman with tomato shaped like Trylon and Perisphere. Image ID: 1675405

 

Lew Lehr at Ham and Turkey Carving contest
Lew Lehr at Ham and Turkey Carving contest. Image ID: 1667931

 

Watermelon eating contest winner
Watermelon eating contest winner. Image ID: 1668047

 

Waitresses giving information attendant doughnuts
Waitresses giving information attendant doughnuts. Image ID: 1681371

 

Doughnut Winner
Doughnut Winner. Image ID: 1668357

 

Woman with man eating crawfish from bucket
Woman watching man eat crawfish from a bucket. Image ID: 1683535


 

Elmer eating at restaurant
Elmer eating at restaurant. Image ID: 1681365

 

Grover Whalen carving meat at the opening of the Brass Rail
Grover Whalen carving meat at the opening of the Brass Rail. Image ID: 1681335

 

Boy draws boy eating hotdog
Boy draws boy eating hotdog. Image ID: 1666775

 

Tony Galento receiving glass of milk from woman
Tony Galento receiving glass of milk from woman. Image ID: 1683083

 

Taking pie out of oven
Taking a pie out of the oven. Image ID: 1670033

 

Girl with doughnuts and trophy
Girl with doughnuts and trophy. Image ID: 1673079

 

Grover Whalen with Moultons at Dinner
Grover Whalen with Moultons at Dinner. Image ID: 1669761

 

Staff with Trylon and Perisphere chicken croquette and mashed potatoes
Staff with Trylon and Perisphere chicken croquette and mashed potatoes. Image ID: 1681389

 

Lucy Monroe eating hotdog
Lucy Monroe eating hotdog. Image ID: 1652728

 

Lew Lehr carving turkey at Ham and Turkey Carving contest
Lew Lehr carving turkey at Ham and Turkey Carving contest. Image ID: 1667929

 

Doughnut Runner-Up
Doughnut Runner-Up. Image ID: 1668355


Now it's your turn. Browse the New York Public Library Digital Collections to find images that will delight and inspire.