The new york world s fair, in 1939 and 1940, was new york s crack at selling itself and the nation s industry to the world. Seventy years after the closing of the 1939 new york worlds fair, the. Riding gms futurama exhibit at the 1939 new york worlds fair workmen stand amid the buildings of futurama the fair was the modern advancement of american enlightenment ideals. Wireds chris baker has a great little story about the original futurama, the grandfather of dark rides, which premiered at the 1939 worlds fair. The fair attempted to project the approaching machineage future through ideas, art, architecture, consumer products, demonstrations, and exhibits. Jun 22, 20 futurama exhibit designed by norman bel geddes, 1939 new york worlds fair. Apr 02, 2014 general motors futurama building at the 19641965 new york worlds fair.
Hello and welcome to the showcase of the future that was the 19641965 new york worlds fair. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The 193940 new york worlds fair was a worlds fair held at flushing meadowscorona park in queens, new york, united states. Use the menu tabs to explore thousands of pages of information and photographs celebrating this. The legacy of the 1939 world s fair seventy years after the closing of the 1939 new york world s fair, the daily show writer elliott kalan looks back at its past vision of. Fair theme center and futurama we approach the 1939 new york worlds fair from several directions at once. Used as a means of soliciting advertisers, this incomplete guidebook contains brief introductory information regarding the zones of the fair as well as pricing rates and options for displaying ads within the guidebook. If you want a straightforward 1939 worlds fair novel, the classic is still worlds fair, by e. Industrial designer bel geddes and general motors changed all that with their revolutionary futurama exhibit. Nov 26, 20 excerpted image from futurama, 1939, in the 19391940 new york worlds fair collection. Designer of the station alexey dushkin was awarded grand prize of the 1939 new york worlds fair. Albert kahn was the architect with the design by norman bel geddes and it took the hundreds of thousands who stepped. Shot of futuramas interior 1939 new york worlds fair six hundred visitors at a time flew on a simulated airplane ride across this vision of america circa 1960. Jul 19, 2014 futurama at 1939 ny world s fair king rose archives.
New listing original 1939 new york worlds fair tony sarg 41x46 linen map tablecloth. One part of that world, another theme showcased throughout the fair, was electrification the growing use. Prior to the 1939 worlds fair the concept of an interstate system was not new, but one couldnt expect the american public to be up to date on the latest developments in theoretical civil design. Book was a limited edition published on the occasion of paul garrett s party at the university club monday, october 16, 1939 by brewercantelmo co. Not everything they saw there came true, but plenty was close. Gm futurama 1939 geddes, architecture books, worlds fair. Architecturally, it represents the streamlined modern vision of tomorrow we explored in william gibsons gernsback continuum. The 1939 world s fair, held in flushing meadows, captured the spirit of two quintessential american traits.
Industrial designer bel geddes and general motors changed all. Designed by norman bel geddes, the huge diorama presented a section of. Norman bel geddess futurama exhibit, dedicated to building the world of tomorrow, proved to be a step into bob hesdorfers future before hed even arrived. General motors futurama exhibit let visitors view the world of. The ride that wowed millions at the 1939 worlds fair represented just one strain of the eras technological utopianism, says jenkins. Gm is rehashing its groundbreaking futurama exhibit at the 1939 worlds fair by looking ahead to its 100year anniversary in a new video. The 1939 new york world s fair ended up attracting more than 40 million visitors in less than a year. I found this souvenier booklet and lapel pin this weekend. Futurama was an exhibit and ride at the 1939 new york worlds fair designed by norman bel.
Exhibitions in the ussr pavilion included the lifesize copy of the interior of the showcase mayakovskaya station of the moscow metro. Nov 01, 20 futurama, the model city of 1960, designed by norman bel geddes for the general motors exhibit at the new york world s fair in 1939. Users browsing for 1939 1940 new york world s fair collectibles in 193940. Courtesy of the world s fair auction photos of vehicles used in the futurama display during the 1939 1940 new york world s fair. New york worlds fair, 1939 film, manuscripts and archives division, new york public library. After her whirl through the 1893 chicago exposition, jbf assistant editor maggie borden is now taking us back to 1939, when the new york worlds fair ran for six months in flushing meadowscorona park, and where a young mimi sheraton delighted in new flavors and futuristic sights. Official guide book of the new york worlds fair 1939. The 1939 worlds fair in new york contained a variety of popular exhibits, the most liked of which was futurama, a forwardlooking attraction that envisioned the america of 1960.
General motors 35,738squarefoot highways and horizons pavilion contained the fair s most popular exhibit entitled futurama. Lessons for the 1939 worlds fair for the coming transportation. The 1939 worlds fair held in queens, new york was billed as the world of tomorrow, and now stunning color photos reveal the fairs grandeur with pavilions, rides and the revelers that enjoyed them. All the exhibitors were ready to give everyone a crystal ball view into the future. Apr, 2014 the 1939 fair in queens laid out a glorious automotive vision, with general motors futurama exhibition depicting the highways of the future. The installation was sponsored by the general motors corporation and was characterized by automated highways and vast suburbs. The 1939 fair in queens laid out a glorious automotive vision, with general motors futurama exhibition depicting the highways of the future. Gm looks ahead to 100year anniversary of 1939 futurama in. This photograph shows an elevated view of the huge model of a. New listing original 1939 new york world s fair tony sarg 41x46 linen map tablecloth. This fascinating book might be retitled the life and times of the 1939 new york worlds fair, as it gives an extensive history of the fair itself but also adds in the critically important context of the era, including the ramping up of the world towards global war, the aftermath of the great depression, and albert einsteins tragic, messy exile from his homeland and tangential association. Through the eyes of fictitious characters, we see the exhibits.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. Book, futurama, 1939 objects collection of cooper hewitt. Seventyfive years ago this past wednesday, the 1939 new york worlds fair opened, and over the next yearandahalf, 45 million visitors flocked to a place of bright lights, colors, and. Views of the new york world s fair by new york 1939 world s fair and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The 1939 new york worlds fair ended up attracting more than 40 million visitors in less than a year. Get the best deals on 19391940 new york worlds fair collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. Futurama new york worlds fair exhibit 1939 britannica. What the famed futurama tells us about how to get where were going next.
First page features nice trylon and perisphere image and is marked in ink number 1 in limited edition of 1,000. The 1939 40 new york world s fair was built on a garbage dump in flushing, queens. Futurama was an exhibit and ride at the 1939 new york worlds fair designed by norman bel geddes, which presented a possible model of the world 20 years into the future 19591960. General motors 35,738squarefoot highways and horizons pavilion contained the fairs most popular exhibit entitled futurama. In honor of our role in expo milano 2015, were taking a look back at the history of food at worlds fairs. Gm futurama brochure new york worlds fair 1939 g ms futurama at the fair was probably the most spectacular pavilion. This photograph shows an elevated view of the huge model of a futuristic city with widely spaced skyscrapers, doubledecked streets with moving cars representing traffic patterns, and parks and landing pads for. Nov, 2012 norman bel geddess futurama exhibit, dedicated to building the world of tomorrow, proved to be a step into bob hesdorfers future before hed even arrived. The worlds fair future of 1939 and the quest for our next. Photos from the colossal 1939 new york expo that had the optimism and audacity to tackle.
Futurama, the model city of 1960, designed by norman bel geddes for the general motors exhibit at the new york worlds fair in 1939. Color photos of the 1939 new york worlds fair the atlantic. April 30th will mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the 1939 new york worlds fair. The 1939 new york worlds fair and the world of tomorrow. Read all the press releases coming out of ford lately, and itd be easy to get the idea that new york city threw a giant party called the worlds fair just for fomoco to introduce the mustang. High quality 1078x1238 laminated hardcover w24 pages. While most of the western world was still in the grip of the great depression and more troubles lay ahead, the new york world s fair opened to the public with exhibits on the promising theme of the world of tomorrow. The legacy of the 1939 worlds fair seventy years after the closing of the 1939 new york worlds fair, the daily show writer elliott kalan looks back at its past vision of. As a sequel to the successful 1939 new york worlds fair, the second worlds fair opened on april 22, 1964, and its theme was peace through understanding. The 193940 new york worlds fair was built on a garbage dump in flushing, queens. Futurama unveiling the city of the future at the 1939.
The futurama exhibit was one of the most popular pavilions in the 1939 worlds fair. Norman bel geddes and the invention of 20th century america. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Futurama unveiling the city of the future at the 1939 new.
Nov 26, 2007 wired s chris baker has a great little story about the original futurama, the grandfather of dark rides, which premiered at the 1939 world s fair. Trylon perisphere new york world s fair 1939 aviation bldg souvenir cast metal. General motors was at the forefront with a huge pavillion and show called futurama. Countries, cities, corporations, and private groups set up shop to display their ideas. Trylon perisphere new york worlds fair 1939 aviation bldg souvenir cast metal. Gm is rehashing its groundbreaking futurama exhibit at the 1939 world s fair by looking ahead to its 100year anniversary in a new video. Albert kahn was the architect with the design by norman bel geddes and it took the hundreds of thousands who stepped inside on a journey into the future. To lend the new york worlds fair a certain gravitas, it opened on 30 april 1939, which was the 150th anniversary of george washingtons first term inaugural as us president. He staged circuses, developed equipment and techniques for the armed services, and wrote books on many subjects. Paul gillespies 1939 new york worlds fair collection. It has been added to my 1939 mercury dime bank in my smalls case. Here, in 322 moving chaircars, each equipped with its own sound system for a personal tour, visitors witnessed the largest and most realistic scale model ever constructed. Autonomy and the 1939 worlds fair the truth about cars.
Read about adolph witschard, architect, inventor, and the man behind the animation for futurama. When cars ruled the worlds fair the new york times. The legacy of the 1939 worlds fair seventy years after the closing of the 1939 new york worlds fair, the daily show writer elliott kalan looks. Excerpted image from futurama, 1939, in the 19391940 new york worlds fair collection. General motors futurama building at the 19641965 new york worlds fair. Jun 10, 2016 the 1939 world s fair in new york contained a variety of popular exhibits, the most liked of which was futurama, a forwardlooking attraction that envisioned the america of 1960.
This medal was struck in copper and was issued to commemorate the 1937 american legion convention. Photo from new york public librarys worlds fair 1939 and 1940 incorporated records archive. The world of tomorrow in 1939 seventy five years ago this april, the 1939 new york worlds fair building the world of tomorrow opened to the public in flushing meadows, ny. Aug 29, 2011 gm futurama brochure new york worlds fair 1939 g ms futurama at the fair was probably the most spectacular pavilion. The new york worlds fair of 1939 and 1940 promised visitors they would be looking at the world of tomorrow. Nov 06, 2017 the famous theme of the 1939 new york worlds fair was the world of tomorrow. It was the second most expensive american worlds fair of all time, exceeded only by st. I was probably 14, says hesdorfer, referring to the spring day in 1939 that he and a classmate spent at the new york worlds fair. New york world s fair, 1939 film, manuscripts and archives division, new york public library. Get the best deals on 19391940 new york worlds fair.
This small paper book touted the future of motorways for the american way of life. The 1939 worlds fair, held in flushing meadows, captured the spirit of two quintessential american traits. The book 1939 the lost world of the fair is a love story told with the 1939 fair as a backdrop. Perhaps it was best portrayed in general motors futurama, an exhibition designed by norman bel geddes. Jun 22, 20 futurama exhibit designed by norman bel geddes, 1939 new york world s fair stay safe and healthy. May 01, 2014 prior to the 1939 worlds fair the concept of an interstate system was not new, but one couldnt expect the american public to be up to date on the latest developments in theoretical civil design. Futurama ride at 1939 worlds fair celebrated boing boing. A look at preworld war ii futuristic utopian thinking, as envisioned by norman bel geddes for general motors. The new york worlds fair of 1939 and 1940 promised visitors they would be. Futurama is a largescale model representing almost every type of terrain in. Geddes expounds upon his design in his book magic motorways. Nov 20, 2016 riding gms futurama exhibit at the 1939 new york worlds fair workmen stand amid the buildings of futurama the fair was the modern advancement of american enlightenment ideals. Futurama exhibit designed by norman bel geddes, 1939 new york. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the new york worlds fair, 19391940.
With a decade of depression behind them and a world war looming ahead, 44 million visitors came to catch a hopeful glimpse of the. Aug 03, 2017 futurama, the model city of 1960, designed by norman bel geddes for the general motors exhibit at the new york worlds fair in 1939. The 1939 worlds fair in new york contained a variety of popular exhibits, the most liked of which was futurama, a forwardlooking attraction. Designing tomorrow the futuristic new york worlds fair. The famous theme of the 1939 new york worlds fair was the world of tomorrow.
As an example of city planning, the fairs vision of public life mirrors the garden city envisioned by ebenezer howard. Views of the new york worlds fair by new york 1939 worlds fair and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ny world s fair exposition american legion 1939 xfau ny world s fair exposition american legion 1939 xfau this is a scarce higher grade medal issued from the new york world s fair exposition held in 1939. The most memorable exhibit was the general motors pavilion, and the most memorable feature in the general motors pavilion was a ride called the futurama. It features a world dominated by electric vehicles and.
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