Seattle’s CityStream goes back to the future in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World`s Fair. Century 21 was the 1962 Fair’s theme and now that we’ve arrived, it’s time to look towards what the next fifty years will bring. (Thanks Björn)
By Chris
December 13th, 2011
In this documentary Walt Disney himself, shows us among many things, different props that will be used at the 1964 New York World’s Fair in which Disneyland will play an important role. Classical rides such as General Electric’s Carousel of Progress, Ford’s Magic Skyway, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and It’s a Small World were all devised at this World’s Fair by Walt Disney Imagineers. Watch the rest of this interesting documentary here below.
By Chris
July 18th, 2011
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
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Of the three World’s Fairs set in North America in the 1960s, the 1964 fair is the most memorable and oft-cited. It wowed the young generation of Boomers with technological wonders and forward-thinking ideas. It gave us a few of the most beloved Disney attractions. And yet, it wasn’t really a World’s Fair.
Hopes an economic boom through tourism inspired the planning of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Unfortunately, the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) rules stated that only one exposition be permitted in any country within a 10-year period. Seattle hosted the World’s Fair in 1962. Plans for the New York fair were put into action anyway, without BIE endorsement and participation for most nations. The result was an exposition dedicated to American technology and innovation. Smaller and third world nations, including Ireland, Austria, Pakistan, and Vatican City, made up the international presence at the Fair. The rest of the fair was dominated by state and corporate pavilions.
July 6th, 2011
Let’s climb aboard the Alweg Monorail in Downtown Seattle and take a trip back to the 1962 World’s Fair: Man in the Space Age. The Century 21 Exposition brought the first World’s Fair in North America since 1940 and the United States was eager to demonstrate its new ideas and advancements in technology, science and entertainment. Rapid technological advancements, Googie architecture, and the Space Race tantalized imaginations with the possibilities of the 21st century and beyond. The Future promised push button telephones and flying cars. While innovations raced towards the future, values remained firmly rooted in the past. Kitchen gadgets targeted housewives while innovations in office communication targeted businessmen. Nuclear families would populate the suburbs of the Moon in the 21st century.
January 17th, 2011
Few events encapsulate the aura of the 1960s like Expo 67. Looking back at the photos and videos of the exhibition, one can get a good idea of the fashions, behaviors, and attitudes of the era. This World’s Fair, one of the most popular, was an overwhelming spectacle of delights for all in attendance.
December 2nd, 2010
General Motors was a pioneer exhibitor back in the mid-century often with the technical assistance of Walt Disney’s Imagineers. Futarama was a ride at the New York World’s Fair in 1939 and was updated for the 1964 fair which offered its riders a glimpse into what life in the year 2024 would be like. This promotional film by General Motors follows a young boy as he explores a lunar base of operation, an Antarctic weather forecasting center, undersea exploration and the typical positive 1960s thinking about the future of American design and living. The ride itself was one of the most popular attractions at the fair with over 25 million passengers during the 6 months it was open and the building which housed it was one of the largest buildings ever built for a World’s Fair. You can ride Futarama too, complete with astonishing music after the jump. (Via)
By Chris
September 30th, 2009
I wish there were more expositions like the one held in Seattle in 1962. Going under the name Century 21, it showcased the best, brightest and most future minded technology available at the time – including pagers, exciting cars that looked like they could fly, various satellites and the NASA Mercury project to name a few. The grounds of the fair were divided into different areas for easier navigation with names such as World of Science, World of Century 21, Show Street, Gayway, Boulevards of the World, Food and Favors and so on. I love how the photos below bring out the innocence and positive future thinking from that time, something that the world needs more of today I think. Additional Century 21 goodness after the jump.
By Chris
June 26th, 2009
