Once
upon a time, Monsanto was the good guy. Hard as it may be to believe
in an age where they are perhaps best known for inventing scary
Frankenfood crops and then suing small family farms out of existence
for the crime of happening to be located downwind of them, there was
a time when they were mostly associated with neat stuff. Astroturf,
for instance. “Space Age” fabrics. And, most dramatically of all,
Disneyland attractions. Monsanto sponsored no fewer than four
Tomorrowland
attractions at various points during the park's first fifteen years.
Most
fans have heard of the House of the Future, that marvelous 100%
synthetic dwelling (located where Pixie Hollow is today) that had to
be dismantled with blowtorches because the wrecking ball bounced
right off it. Fewer have heard of Fashions and Fabrics Through the
Ages, a much less ambitious exhibit that didn't last long. It was
located right next to the Hall of Chemistry, which was actually the
first Monsanto attraction, going right back to Opening Day. The two
neighbors closed in September 1966—the chemical engineering giant
had bigger and better plans for the building they occupied. On August
5, 1967, there debuted something special. Something amazing. An
actual ride,
this time, instead of the mere walk-throughs the company had
sponsored before.
It
was once my favorite ride. It was also the first ride I lost.
