Weird Food Photos of the New York World's Fair by Tracy O'NeillJune 23, 2016

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.

View all posts by Tracy O'Neill

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