Obituary: Lou Nasti Dies at 79

Reported by The New York Times, Lou Nasti, Founder of Mechanical Displays, died Feb. 28 in Brooklyn, N.Y., age 79.

Born Louis Attilio Nasti, Nov. 8, 1945, the industry veteran, who worked consistently with storied retailers B. Altman and FAO Schwarz (among many others) and created over-the-top displays for companies like car washes to institutions like schools, was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, according to his daughter and The New York Times.

Famous in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, Nasti created a “Toyland” display at one mansion (the home of lawyer Alfred Polizzotto) for more than 30 years – the home became a regular tourist destination with a two-story high talking Santa, toy soldiers, spinning carousels and reindeer.

He had a known knack for animatronics and robotics, making the front page article in The Times when he was just 19. During high school, he apprenticed for the VM team at department store Abraham & Straus. After turning down an M.I.T. scholarship, he chose to help Macy’s design its Santaland at its Manhattan flagship. He worked briefly with puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft in Atlanta in the early 1960s. Returning to Brooklyn in 1969, Nasti founded Mechanical Displays, which grew into an 80,000-square-foot operation in Queens. Eventually he downsized and moved the operation to Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Known for his work ethic – though he said he had “never worked a day in my life” – Nasti reportedly worked 12-hour days.

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Lou in 2007. Photography: VMSD

VMSD wrote about Nasti and his company Mechanical Displays many times throughout the years, including in an article about an atrium display in the Fisher Building (52nd and Park Avenue), penned by VMSD New York Editor Eric Feigenbaum. “This year, the theme … is ‘Holiday in the Park,’ complete with fountains, wrought iron fences, lampposts, skaters, puppeteers, fisherman, chestnut vendors, lovers on a park bench, bird feeders and a central kiosk complete with a musical quintet.”

It continues, “Powered by 120 amps of electricity, the figures move with the spirit of the season. Intricate hand movements, twists and twirls animate the figures and bring the scene to life. Lou Nasti, president of Mechanical Displays, is already designing next year’s extravaganza. The process begins with a rough sketch and then a finished drawing. The client is presented with the drawing, faces and skin tones of the figures and fabrics and materials. Rubber castings are made, the animation and mechanics are engineered, the costuming sewn, fiberglass castings are fabricated and all is assembled in the shop. Installation is typically the Saturday after Thanksgiving.”

VMSD magazine wishes to extend its deepest condolences to Nasti’s friends, family and many industry colleagues.