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First successful release of balloons at the culmination of the parade. The trick was pumping the balloons’ lower compartments with air, reserving the helium for those near the top of the balloon. (Visit our Balloon Science page)
The released balloons were equipped with postcards that could be redeemed for prizes upon return of said balloons to the Macy’s store at Herald Square.
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Macy’s received bids from municipalities (including Canada, England and Australia) wanting to borrow balloons for parades of their own.
Also in 1934, Tony Sarg and Disney teamed up for the first time, beginning a long-standing relationship between the two. This first year of colaboration witnessed the creation of the Mickey Mouse and Big Bad Wolf balloons, among others. |
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Owing to WWII, the parade went on hiatus for three years from 1942 through 1944. |
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With the war over, the parade resumed this year with a record 2 million live spectators and has been held each year since, without interruption.
The following year, 1946, marked the establishment of the parade’s current route—from 77 th Street and Central Park West down to the Macy’s store at Herald Square.[1] |
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NBC begins telecasting the parade. |
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Wind gusts of up to 40 mph forced parade organizers to ground the giant helium balloons this year: the only time the balloons have fallen victim to inclement weather. [2] |
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Among other incidents due to strong winds, balloon handlers lost control of the Cat in the Hat balloon. Lurching downward, the balloon hit a lamppost which then landed on a woman in a crowd of spectators. Having been struck on the head, 34- year old Kathy Caronna was left in a coma. After recovering, Caronna sued Macy’s, the manufacturer of the lamppost and New York City. As a result of the incidents this year the parade organizers established height limits on the flight of the balloons and retired some of the parade's largest balloons—including the Cat in The Hat. |
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The parade celebrates its 75 th Anniversary.
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Click Here to visit the official website of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
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[1] http://www1.macys.com/campaign/parade/history.jsp?dst=history
[2] Eleanor Blau, "First Heavey Snow Brushes By City," New York Times (1857-Current file), Nov 26, 1971, ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2002), 1. |
