From Pelican to Plankton: A Brief History of Expo Mascots A
Brief History of Expo Mascots By Urso Chappell Yeony and Suny,
the mascots for Expo 2012, are in good company. They represent
the latest in a line of characters created for international
expositions in recent decades. Many people are familiar with the
various mascots that have accompanied the Olympic games over the
years, but fewer are familiar with the ones that have been
created to help promote world’s fairs. Expo mascots help engage
younger visitors to the themes of expos and, over the years,
have become more and more a part of the core identity of
individual world’s fairs. Some have even gone on to be so
popular, they stick around years after the expo ends. 1984: A
pelican Shows The Way In the years preceding the 1984 Louisiana
World Exposition in New Orleans, fair organizers were looking
for ways to engage their audience. With a theme centered on “The
World of Rivers, Fresh Water as a Source of Life” in a state
known for its wildlife, it was per