Early Shell Gas Station

1930s Quality Oil Co. photo of the bent green wood framework
of one of the 8 shell-shaped stations under construction - from Old Gas dot com...

Souvenir Travel Plate Postcard

Final design!  Will be available at the Worlds Largest Things Souvenir Stand in December....

 

-RW

Kansas Arts Commission Arts on Tour

Woo hoo! Just got notice from the Kansas Arts Commission that I'm included on their 2008 - 2011 Arts on Tour roster. That means that the Kansas Arts on Tour Program provides 40% of the total contract fee to presenters who book artists listed on the Kansas Arts on Tour Roster.

Presenters must meet eligibility requirements, and each eligible presenter can receive up to $7500 annually in KATP support.

Which means, communities can now use this program in developing their own Community Icon with Erika, or engage in residencies or shorter workshops exploring art projects in their communities with an odd or interesting bent.

Presenters can download the guidelines and forms off the website: Kansas Arts Commission, go to "Grants" and click on "Arts Organizations" or "Non Arts Organizations", for complete instructions. Funds can be applied for beginning in February for the upcoming fiscal year.

I'll make a page on the World's Largest Things site listing possible programs, and links to the Arts Commission forms once all the paperwork is in.

Once again, Kudos to the State of Kansas for encouraging Art Outside the Box...
-Erika Nelson, Director
World's Largest Things, Inc.

Koons Bunny Balloon

Why I love Jeff Koons - he sold the idea of a stainless steel replica of an inflated bunny in the 80s as an art piece,  and now, 20 years later, re-sold the idea to the Macy's Parade to re-create the stainless steel rip-off in a giant balloon, bringing the rip off back to it's original inflated (ego) origins...

 

 

Brilliant!  Original bunny, as produced in sweat shop = $1.50 retail (at least that's how much I paid for mine)  Estimate for production of balloon?!?

 

Wow - still in the wrong business...

(I know this is only SLIGHTLY related to World's Largest Things, but still....)
-EN

Full store: Hartford Courant

ArtLand: USA

Just got the DVD in the mail from London - ArtLand USA, Season two, episode four. They came through in May, filming the Garden of Eden and the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum for their series on art and architecture across the US.

We made a good appearance, with the World's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate playing a major role. The episode premeired October 25 on GalleryHD Dish networks... Find out more on their site, ArtLand: USA

Their description: GALLERY HD'S ARTLAND:USA 2 chronicles the intrepid duo of hosts, New Yorker Mame McCutchin and Londoner Toby Amies, as they venture cross-continent in a Jackson Pollock-inspired RV/HDTV production studio to capture not only intriguing visual art of every stripe, but the life-changing experiences that unfold during the "ultimate art road trip."

Greensburg Day at the Sternberg Museum in Hays

The World's Largest Pallasite Meteorite is currently in temporary housing at the Sternberg Museum in Hays, Kansas.  Today was a commemorative event, with a lineup of speakers about the May tornado that destroyed the town, which houses the World's Largest Hand-Dug Well. 

 

Debris from the well was on display, which was poignant and sad, with Karen Martin of the Big Well gift shop on-hand to explaing what you see and drum up donations for the building of  a new museum and gift area.

 

Also, the Kansas Explorer's Club 'LuWonderer" award was passed along to Karen, in recognition of her unflagging enthusiasm and work to rebuild a valuable part of Greensburg history.

 

World's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate Postcards!

...now on sale!  We're putting together an order, in increments of 250 cards.  The more you buy, the more you save!  See online PDF file for card image and price list.

 

We are delivering postcards around December 3rd, so we need your order ASAP - before Thanksgiving would be GREAT, but probably unrealistic, so deadline Nov. 27th would be in time range.

 

Let us know soon - info@worldslargestthings.com

 

Thank you!

 

From the Email Inbox: World's largest goose

To: info@WorldsLargestThings.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:23 PM

Subject: World's largest goose

FYI...the sculptor of the goose is my father, David C. Jackson and he still lives in Kansas City

 

D.J.

Oh, great!  I'll add that in to my World's Largest Goose information...  Maxie is one of my favorite MidWestern icons...

 

-Erika

Working on the next issue of "Big Idea"

With a July crash of the graphics machine, we're having to piece together the layout of the newsletter - but it's progressing! Also on the Graphic Design front, we're working on Souvenir Travel Plate Postcards and TeeShirts for the new year.

Oh, and the last newsletter is available online on the WLT Press Page - its designed for Tabloid (11" x 17"), so its a big PDF file to download and print. If you were a member, you'd get a hard copy ;)

Any input for the newsletter is appreciated!
-Rachel Wilson

Speaking Engagement Confirmed - Iowa

Just got the nod from the voting community at the University of Iowa, wanting World's Largest Things for their banquet in April 2008. So, talking to historians in the state that brings you the World's Largest Ball of Popcorn, W.L. Amana Rocking Chair, W.L. Strawberry, W.L. Truck Stop, W.L. Bull, and W.L. Swedish Coffee Cup, in the spring!

-Erika, Director WLT Inc.

New Aquisition - W.L. Hockey Stick Segment

from EBay: piece of the WORLD'S LARGEST HOCKEY STICK (AUTHENTIC)

Measures 6" X 4". The world's largest hockey stick was given to the city of Eveleth, Minnesota by Christen Brothers. This was placed on Grant Ave. in Eveleth, next to the famous Unusual place. The owner of the Unusual place(Jerry Pfremmer) had a big part in getting it to this town,kept the surrounding ground beautiful ! After the unusual place closed it's doors,the city of Eveleth shunned thier roll on the upkeep..(To cheap to do any maintanence on it, eventually it rotted away)..It was removed & another hockey stick was placed there, but the new stick is NOT regulation..Not made of the same material as a real stick..I believe Canada owns the bragging rights now to the world largest stick located in Canada.Just goes to show you really how CHEAP the city of Eveleth,Minnesota is...........They never deserved this wonderfull gift.. THIS IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE TO OWN A PAST PIECE OF ICE HOCKEY HISTORY !!!
This would make a great addition to any collection

It arrived today, in great condition.

More Member Packets...

Two more memberships in the mail today - one a gift! What a great Christmas idea for that odd relative who is obsessed with roadside culture and World's Largest Things, eh?

It's easy! Just go to Become a Member on the website, click on the PayPal link at the level you desire, and Viola!

Thanks again for your continued support - Big Things A-Comin'!

-Erika, Director, WLT Inc.

World's Largest Cuckoo Clock on YouTube

Leroy Powell of waga tv5 in Atlanta GA visits the world's Largest Real cuckoo clock. Located at Champ's World of Clocks in Douglasville, GA

Worlds Largest Rubik's Cube on YouTube

Worlds Largest Rubik's Cube From 1982 Worlds Fair

World's Largest Cuckoo Clock on YouTube

An American explores her Swiss roots at the World's Largest Cuckoo clock at the Alpine-Alpa Cheese Factory in Wilmot, Ohio

from ljfeller

Cabazon California Dinosaurs on YouTube

Cabazon Dinosaurs

From the Interstate Highway, the uncommon view of two giant dinosaurs, on an arid plain surrounded by mountains, is an irresistible magnet. But tourists are not the only ones compelled to stop. Well within a convenient day-drive of the Los Angeles sphere, the Cabazon Dinosaurs became media darlings appearing commercials, music videos, film and print ads.

The dinosaurs were built nearly 30 years ago. The apatosaurus took eleven years to build and is arguably the largest dinosaur in America. A small museum in Dinny's belly sells gifts and dinosaur related items.

Over 12,000,000 people each year see the giant dinos from Interstate 10.
Wonderfully done video from Anjelikka

World's Largest Dinosaurs on YouTube

The world's largest dinosaur in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

World's Largest Ball of Popcorn Destroyed! on YouTube

In October 2006, The Popcorn Factory set the wo... (more)
In October 2006, The Popcorn Factory set the world's record for the world's largest popcorn ball in Lake Forest, Illinois, certified by the Guiness Book of World Records.

The question came to mind. What does one do with a 2 ton popcorn ball? The answer was simple, really. Destroy it on video!

In 2007, thanks to help from our friends at ManiaTV.Com, the world's largest popcorn ball was systematically axed, chopped, kicked, baseball batted, hacksawed and chainsawed into oblivion.



Don't despair - there's one in Sac City Iowa, too, that still remains... It's Guinness Certified, too!

World's Largest Pez Dispenser on YouTube

The very first item to be dispensed from The World's Biggest Pez Dispenser, located at The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia in California

World's Largest Motorcycle on YouTube

11 feet high. 20 feet long. And, a $300,000 pricetag. No one believed he could pull it off, but he built it anyway. Alone in his workshop at home, Greg Dunham crafted the world's largest motorcycle. Not only does the giant machine look amazing, it actually drives!

Biggest Stelling Banjo on YouTube

World's Largest Banjo on YouTube

YouTube Nebraska spot - with World's Largest Things!

Sat. Nov. 17th - Greensburg Day at Sternberg Museum, Hays KS

They have a full day of activities planned - full schedule here:

 

http://www.rushcounty.org/greensburg/

Member Packets in the mail!

One new and one renewal Member Packet just went out with todays mail - thanks for your support!

-EN

W.L. Things in St. John KS

Just got back home from another Kansas Humanities Council lecture at St. John, Kansas. Lovely! 40 or so people, lotsa great information afterwards from the viewers, and snacks to boot.

This has been a great program for the smaller communities, offering an affordable way to bring in speakers, and a great program for World's Largest Things, as it provides an avenue of exploration throughout the state of Kansas, and spreads the word about what's truly unique about the American landscape!

You can (virtually) visit their community here: St. John, Kansas

Great day...
-Erika, Director WLT Inc

From the Email Inbox: wooden nickel

Subject: wooden nickel

We paid a visit to the Wooden Nickel Museum in San Antonio yesterdeay (11/6/07) and were disapponted to find it closed for renovations - they didn't say when it would re-open. We got some nice pictures that I thought you might be able to use on your website - I am attaching a front and back view. Please feel free to use, delete or whatever! I started my visits to the World's Largest whatever quite by accident three years ago on our road trip to AZ (taking my parents to AZ for the winter - they wouldn't think of flying and being in their 80's, have no business driving!) I have used you website numerous times to enhance our trips and have gotten some really good pictures as well as some cherished memories from the trips!

-J.C.
-Georgetown, OH


Thanks for the image, and the great website kudos!  I'm glad to be a part of your vacation planning... I try to keep the list of What's Large Where as updated as possible, but there are always those unexpected 'closed for whatever reason' instances... I wonder what, exactly, is IN the Wooden Nickel Museum?!?!

Thanks again for W.L. Wooden Nickel pics, and happy travels!
-Erika

New Batch of Tees In!

Get 'em while the ink is bright and shiny, and the cotton is crisp! All sized in-stock - Youth Large, Adult Medium, Large, and Extra Large, black ink on grey, $18.95 postage paid.



Order Online! At the World's Largest Things Souvenir Stand

-RW

Weekly Whats Large Where for November

Just got a belated batch of WWLW to newspapers for the rest of November - whew! Always have to remind Erika not to get tooooo distracted by the Big Things out there and just WRITE!

-RW

From the Email Inbox: Swedish TV Show

----- Original Message -----
From: Magnus Samuelsson
Subject: Mr Samuelsson mail

My name is Magnus Samuelsson and I work as a researcher for a TV show in Sweden. Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson are two of Sweden's most beloved TV Hosts. They will go to America from December 2007 to February 2008. Their assignment: Find America's most extraordinary, likeable and offbeat person(and the 99 that were pretty damn close). I would like to show you a link on what person that we are looking for:FridayTV

If you click on the headline of the text you will be able to watch a short presentation of the show. I really appreciate all help I can get. Even if you don't have a full name please don't hesitate to drop me a few lines at: Email address

Have a really nice day!
Magnus Samuelsson, Researcher

From the Email Inbox: Largest Birdfeeder

Original Message ----- From: bill
To: info@WorldsLargestThings.com

Last Dec. we were finally notified by Guinness world record that we had the worlds largest bird feeder ( by volume of food held) is something that you might be interested in? We are located in the State of Maine.

Thanks; Bill


Re: This is definately something I would be interested in! The only other monument that I know of that lists itself in the birdfeeder category is a tongue-in-cheek designation of the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD... Do you have a website or images of your birdfeeder? I'd love to add it to my list of What's Large Where...

Thank you for the information!
-Erika, Director Worlds Largest Things Inc.