[Shell Walking Map of the New York World’s Fair]

A walking map of the 1964 World’s Fair issued by an oil company.

“Shell presents the only map of the Fair that tells you how much time you need to go where you want, see what you want!” This map is somewhat of an oxymoron, as it presents a unique feature that allows its reader to calculate pedestrian distances, but was designed to promote the interests of a global oil company.

Each ‘foot’ within the image represents about one minute of walking time, providing a handy reference for attendees of the 1964-65 World’s Fair, held in Queens, New York. Furthermore, average times spent at each exhibit are also provided. Without accommodating for walking time or “eating time, and waiting time on those days when the Fair is crowded” [text, upper right], the map suggests that at least 55 total hours are required to fully experience the entire fair!

Created and updated between 1961 and 1964 by the New York World’s Fair Corporation on behalf of Shell, with base information provided by the Rand McNally Company of Chicago. Reprinted in New York by permission of Time, Inc., official World’s Fair licensee.