Gilmore D. Clarke is an american landscape architect and civil engineer. Designed for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair in Queens, New York. It was designed by Clarke and given to the US Steel Corporation as a symbol of peace, the theme of that year's fair. Even the dedication reinforces it's symbolization, stating, "Peace Through Understanding."

The Unisphere, which is the world's largest globe structure, stands 140 feet tall and is 120 feet in diameter. Weighing over 900,000 pounds, the construction of the Unisphere had to account for uneven weight distribution by making it top heavy. The sculpture is made from stainless steel and represents Earth with three orbital rings to represent our ascent into the Space Age. It was built on a circular reflecting pool with water fountains surrounding to give the feel that the globe is floating in mid-air.


When the Unisphere was first shown at the World's Fair, it contained a few tricks to impress the crowd. Lighting was used behind the sphere during the evening to give an effect of a sunrise. Also, the capital cities on the sphere would be lit up during the duration of the Fair's two years. Today the Unisphere is still in Queens for the public to enjoy.

Verner Panton

Stacking Chair

The "New Look" by Christian Dior

Christian Dior

"Bar" Suit and Jacket

Christian Dior, a French fashion designer, holds the highest designs in the world today. After being born and living in Normandy, France for ten years, Dior and his family decided to move to Paris. Here Dior studied political science and served in the military. In 1935 he moved back to Paris and sold his design sketches. After seeing his work, designer Robert Piguet hired Dior in 1938, but only two years later he was called again into service for the military. After leaving the military in 1941, Dior began to work for Lucien Lelong and in 1946 textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac helped him open his own house. From then on Dior would shape French fashion forever. Each of his collections contained a theme that would demonstrate exactly how the collection would look and fit on women. For example, one collection called "Carolle," or "figure eight," had pieces to show off a broad shoulder and hips with a small waist, as the name suggests. The most influential collection that Dior did, however, was his very first.

"Chérie" Dinner Dress

His career, officially began all the way back to 1947 with his launch of his collection the "New Look." The components of his eices in the collection included round shoulders, cinched waists, and a full skirt. The look was made to invoke a new outlook as well as a look after many years of wearing military and constricting uniforms. His looks helped women celebrate their femininity with high fashion. I love the idea that Dior put into this collection. He really turned a time where sternness was the main proponent to an era of femininity.

For more information, go here.

Bolt of Lightning... A Memorial to Benjamin Franklin by Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi

 I went to visit this sculpture and was amazed by it’s sheer size and characteristics. The ratio of the key is larger than both the lightning bolt and kite, yet it seems to give you the feeling that it is correct and you are looking at the kite in the far distance. Being in such close proximity to West Chester, I recommend everyone take time to check out this piece.

For more information, go here.

Eero Saarinen was a Finnish American architect from the 20th century that produced various forms of art, while always adding his unique style. I was very surprised to look him up to learn more about him and find that he did one of the most magnificent monuments in the United States. “The Gateway Arch,” also known as “Gateway to the West,” was a submission by Saarinen after the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Administration (JMENA) held a competition from 1945 to 1948 to create a monument in St. Louis, Missouri, in order to revive their riverfront and stimulate the economy and become the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.