world's fair | Page 2 of 3

Man’s Life in the Space Age (1962)

Fun House has posted some fun images from the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, which was also known as the “Century 21 Exposition.” The image above is a map which “illustrates your trip through the World of Century 21.” Previously on Paleo-Future: Seattle World’s Fair Official Souvenir Program (1962) Frederick & Nelson Ad (1962) Century…

Tech News Matt Novak Dec 22

Super-Highway of Tomorrow (1939)

While not spectacular to someone from 2008, this illustration of the “super-highway of tomorrow” was quite extraordinary to people attending the 1939 New York World’s Fair. A concept drawing for the original Futurama, this image was found in the Official Guide Book to the 1939 World’s Fair. Read more: Official Guide Book: 1939 World’s Fair…

Tech News Matt Novak Aug 26

Is This a Real Picturephone? (1939)

This (most likely doctored) photo of a picturephone in 1939 or 1940 is featured in the book Exit to Tomorrow: World’s Fair Architecture, Design, Fashion 1933-2005. The weird thing is that I haven’t been able to verify the authenticity of this photo outside of this book. In fact, it is rare to find mention of…

Tech News Matt Novak Jun 10

Official Guide Book: 1939 World’s Fair

The motto of the 1939 New York World’s Fair was, “Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms.” And you wonder why 1930’s America was afraid of automation! It was practically the theme of the ’39 Fair that Man would adhere to the will of whatever Science and Industry dictated. An international fear of robots in the…

Tech News Matt Novak Jun 3

Auto-Tutor (1964)

This “auto-tutor” from the 1964 World’s Fair is very similar in concept to the “homework machine” we looked at from 1981. The photo above can be found in the Official Souvenir Book of the 1964 New York World’s Fair. AUTOMATED SCHOOLMARM The Autotutor, a U.S. Industries teaching machine, is tried out by visitors to the…

Tech News Matt Novak Apr 23

A Ballad for the Fair (1964)

In 1964 Bell System produced a film about the New York World’s Fair, which highlights the history and future of communications. Of course, the future of communications would not be complete without the eternal promise of picturephone. A clip of the film, including a look at the Bell System ride, appears below. You can watch…

Tech News Matt Novak Feb 22

Seattle World’s Fair Postcards (1962)

AlamedaInfo.com has some very cool postcards from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition. Many of the postcards feature the main attractions of the Space Needle, as well as the monorail. See also: Seattle World’s Fair Official Souvenir Program (1962) Frederick & Nelson Ad (1962) Century 21: Space Needle Designs…

Tech News Matt Novak Feb 13

Bell Aviation’s Rocket Pack (1964)

This awesome photo of Bell Aviation’s Rocket Pack, demonstrated at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, is featured in the book Exit to Tomorrow: World’s Fair Architecture, Design, Fashion 1933-2005. See also: Jet Flying Belt is Devised to Carry Man for Miles (New York Times, 1968) Jet Pack Video (1966) Where’s My Jetpack? (2007) How…

Tech News Matt Novak Jan 23

Bell Telephone Indoctrinates Teens at Seattle World’s Fair

Two peppy, Aryan teenagers learn how tomorrow’s communication technology will help us live happily ever after in “Century 21 Calling,” a Bell Telephone promo film shot at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1964. After disembarking the monorail, the kids run through the fairgrounds, gawking at foreigners and passing up the peepshow (add Elvis and essentially…

io9 Peril Jan 8

GM’s Shopping Cart Car (1964)

Today we have a color photograph of the GM concept car we looked at back in August. The three-wheeled car was on display at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and had a shopping cart which was detached directly from the rear of the car. The color version of this photo is featured in the…

Tech News Matt Novak Jan 7

Dawn of a New Day (1939)

The 1939 New York World’s Fair song “Dawn of a New Day” was written by George and Ira Gershwin. Unfortunately, I don’t remember where I found the song so I can’t give credit where credit is due. You can listen to the song here. See also: Railroads on Parade (1939) All’s Fair at the Fair…

Tech News Matt Novak Dec 14

Amateur Photos of NY World’s Fair (1965)

Flickr user ninecormorants has a great collection of amateur photos from the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. See also: Transportation Exhibits at the New York World’s Fair (1964) To The Fair! (1965)

Tech News Matt Novak Aug 30

Gardens of Glowing Electrical Flowers (1900)

From October 11 until December 27, 1900 the New York Observer ran a series of eight letters by a man named Augustus. He was reporting from the Paris Exposition of 1900. The second installment of the series, which ran October 18th captures the wonder of seeing a city engulfed in electric light and the hope…

Tech News Matt Novak Jul 20

Railroads on Parade (1939)

The play Railroads on Parade was featured at the 1939/40 New York World’s Fair. It told the story of railroad transportation progress from the 1820s until 1939, and into the future. The photo below depicts a “woman of the future” from the cast and can be found in the book Dawn of a New Day,…

Tech News Matt Novak Jul 10

GM Car of the Future (1962)

The advertisement below ran in the Official Souvenir Program for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The ad proclaims that General Motors is, “setting a course for the future” by showcasing the “fully functional Firebird III space-age car.” The full text of the ad is transcribed below. Mobility – the easiest, fastest, surest kind possible –…

Tech News Matt Novak Jun 28

Seattle World’s Fair Official Souvenir Program (1962)

The Seattle World’s Fair of 1962 brought us Seattle’s most iconic structure, the Space Needle. Also known as the Century 21 Exposition there is much to examine for those interested in the paleo-future. The image above is the cover to the Official Souvenir Program. We’ll be taking a peak inside over the next few weeks.…

Tech News Matt Novak Jun 26

Metal Man Comes to Life (1939)

The May 1, 1939 Hammond Times (Hammond, Indiana) ran these images of Elektro, a robot featured at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Elektro could supposedly “speak,” distinguish between colors, smoke a cigar and direct an orchestra. See also: All’s Fair at the Fair (1938) Robots Will Be Kings (1949) “I Can Whip Any Mechanical…

Tech News Matt Novak Jun 14

Transportation Exhibits at the New York World’s Fair (1964)

The 1964 film World’s Fair Report with Lowell Thomas took viewers through a preview of what the 1964 New York World’s Fair would have to offer. Below is a short clip of the film that shows the transportation exhibits, including the paleo-futuristic Futurama. World’s Fair Report with Lowell Thomas can be found on the DVD…

Tech News Matt Novak May 17

Memory of ‘Tomorrow’ (New York Times, 1941)

Fanciful visions of the future were few and far between in the early 1940s. This article by Sidney M. Shalett, from the April 27, 1941 New York Times sums up why. It was on a Sunday morning – the last Sunday in April – two years ago when the great World’s Fair opened: April 30,…

Tech News Matt Novak Apr 30

Century 21: Space Needle Designs (1962)

In a way, Seattle has a permanent piece of the paleo-future. The always amazing blog BibliOdyssey has a great post titled Century 21 Exposition. It features proposed designs for the Space Needle and the fairgrounds for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair (also known as the Century 21 Exposition). For an amusing film following teenagers through…

Tech News Matt Novak Mar 30

world’s fair

Man’s Life in the Space Age (1962)

Super-Highway of Tomorrow (1939)

Is This a Real Picturephone? (1939)

Official Guide Book: 1939 World’s Fair

Auto-Tutor (1964)

A Ballad for the Fair (1964)

Seattle World’s Fair Postcards (1962)

Bell Aviation’s Rocket Pack (1964)

Bell Telephone Indoctrinates Teens at Seattle World’s Fair

GM’s Shopping Cart Car (1964)

Dawn of a New Day (1939)

Amateur Photos of NY World’s Fair (1965)

Gardens of Glowing Electrical Flowers (1900)

Railroads on Parade (1939)

GM Car of the Future (1962)

Seattle World’s Fair Official Souvenir Program (1962)

Metal Man Comes to Life (1939)

Transportation Exhibits at the New York World’s Fair (1964)

Memory of ‘Tomorrow’ (New York Times, 1941)

Century 21: Space Needle Designs (1962)

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