Travel back in time to the future of the 1939 worlds fair general motors exhibit, futurama, new york worlds fair, 1939 see more. Apr, 2014 the 1939 fair in queens laid out a glorious automotive vision, with general motors futurama exhibition depicting the highways of the future. Visitors to the general motors highways and horizons exhibit at the 19391940 new york worlds fair proudly wore this i have seen the future pin after stepping out. All the exhibitors were ready to give everyone a crystal ball view into the future. 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. In 1939, the theme of the worlds fair in new york was the world of tomorrow. Wireds chris baker has a great little story about the original futurama, the grandfather of dark rides, which premiered at the 1939 worlds fair. It was the second most expensive american worlds fair of all time, exceeded only by st. The hot mikado, a jazz version of gilbert and sullivans operetta, was one of the biggest hits of the 1939 worlds fair. 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. Designed by norman bel geddes for the 1939 new york worlds fair, futurama was an exhibit and ride which emphasized the future and redesigning the american landscape.
What the famed futurama tells us about how to get where were going next. 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. This photograph shows an elevated view of the huge model of a. Thats what acclaimed food, design, and travel writer mimi sheraton remembers from the 1939 new york worlds fair. 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. Since the mid19th century more than 100 worlds fairs have been held in more than 20 countries around the world. Bel geddes cajoled general motors into funding the exhibit, and in an 11month. Norman bel geddes designs the city of the future in 1939 seen at an exhibition in the museum of the city of new york, this video is a startling vision. I found this souvenier booklet and lapel pin this weekend. The 1939 40 new york world s fair was a world s fair held at flushing meadowscorona park in queens, new york, united states. Gms spectacular futurama showed how the automobile would catapult the nation into the notsodistant future. 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.
Perhaps it was best portrayed in general motors futurama, an exhibition designed by norman bel geddes. The futurama exhibit was one of the most popular pavilions in the 1939 worlds fair. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. This really makes me think about the connection our present day expectations or lack of them have to an event that i wasnt even alive for. 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. Apr 10, 2020 the 193940 new york worlds fair was a worlds fair held at flushing meadowscorona park in queens, new york, united states. Remembering futurama at the 1939 new york worlds fair. In 2006, the nypl was the recipient of another grant from the neh for a two and a halfyear project. The czechoslovak issues for the 1939 new york worlds fair 1940 pre announcement introduction fall 1997 we intend to publish a book and catalogue on the czechoslovak issues for the new york worlds fair of 1939 and 1940. Very much an inspiration for disneys highways of tommorow episode. Happy 80th anniversary 1939 new york worlds fair the. Nyc parks photo archive 1939 worlds fair under construction, on the site of the former wetland. General motors 35,738squarefoot highways and horizons pavilion contained the fairs most popular exhibit entitled futurama.
Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people attended its exhibits in two seasons. Sources of modern design quiz 2 flashcards quizlet. Initially conceived by local businessmen to raise the city and the nation out of the depths of the great depression, the fair was the first to focus on the future, coalescing around the theme the world of tomorrow. Jun 19, 2012 this summer marks the 73rd anniversary of the 1939 world s fair, an event that would change the new york dining world forever. People stood in line for hours to ride it and experience the exciting possibilities of life in the distant future the year 1960. Futurama unveiling the city of the future at the 1939. Futurama exhibit designed by norman bel geddes, 1939 new york. I tried ebay but theres just generic matchstick stuff that. 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. Futurama was an exhibitride at the 1939 new york worlds fair designed by norman bel geddes that presented a possible model of the world 20 years into the. 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. Nov 18, 2011 the hot mikado, a jazz version of gilbert and sullivans operetta, was one of the biggest hits of the 1939 worlds fair.
Dec 31, 2017 when bel geddes heard the 1939 worlds fair was coming to flushing, queens, he spied a stage bigger than any theaters. Get the best deals on 19391940 new york worlds fair collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. Color photos of the 1939 new york worlds fair the atlantic. The time capsule preserved 1939 for the scientists of the future. Futurama new york worlds fair exhibit 1939 britannica. The worlds fair future of 1939 and the quest for our next utopia. I recommend listening to the official theme song of the fair, dawn of a new day, while reading the intro.
General motors futurama exhibit let visitors view the world of. General motors if you are a collector of car memorabilia, you might like a copy of their futurama pamphlet. Media in category futurama, new york worlds fair the following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total. His interest in futuristic metropolises is heavily apparent in the gm display. Wanted to be the first to post this morning about today being the 80th anniversary of the opening ceremonies for the 1939 new york worlds fair. If you or a friend is a collector of twentieth century americana, you may be interested to know more about world s fair collectibles form the new york world s fair of 1939 1940. Jul 23, 2015 in 1939, the theme of the worlds fair in new york was the world of tomorrow. The entrance to general motors exhibit at the new york worlds fair of 19391940. Paul gillespie collection of new york worlds fair materials, pr 283. Matchbook new york worlds fair 1939 graphic trylon and perisphere, iconic ny worlds fair ad art, mini 1930s ad anacin pain relief. Futurama ride at 1939 worlds fair celebrated boing boing. New york worlds fair 19391940, a 1989 exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fair, was held at the nypl in the edna barnes salomon room and curated by richard m. Titled dawn of a new day, the fair during its twoyear run hosted more than 44 million people, who were treated to expositions about the world of tomorrow. He staged circuses, developed equipment and techniques for the armed services, and wrote books on many subjects.
It was the second most expensive american world s fair of all time, exceeded only by st. Sep 16, 2016 futurama was an exhibitride at the 1939 new york worlds fair designed by norman bel geddes that presented a possible model of the world 20 years into the future 195960. Worlds fair, large international exhibition of a wide variety of industrial, scientific, and cultural items displayed at a specific site for a period of time, ranging usually from three to six months. The remnants of the 1964 worlds fair in flushing meadowscorona park are readily apparent, but those from the 1939 worlds fair require quite a bit more digging. The ride that wowed millions at the 1939 worlds fair represented just one strain of the eras technological utopianism, says jenkins. When bel geddes heard the 1939 worlds fair was coming to flushing, queens, he spied a stage bigger than any theaters.
April 30, 1939, marks the day broadcast television was born. 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. The 1939 worlds fair sat on the precipice of disaster. So began the dramatic futurama ride through gms highways and horizons exhibit, the largest single exhibit at the fair, and the most popular according to gallup. 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 1939 fair in queens laid out a glorious automotive vision, with general motors futurama exhibition depicting the highways of the future. The new york public library manuscripts and archives division. One part of that world, another theme showcased throughout the fair, was electrification the growing use. I havent yet finished the book because i am trying to take it all in. Norman bel geddes designs the city of the future in 1939. Jun 22, 20 futurama exhibit designed by norman bel geddes, 1939 new york world s fair stay safe and healthy. New york worlds fair 1939 40 transatlantic perspectives.
The 1939 worlds fair, held in flushing meadows, captured the spirit of two quintessential american traits. Designed gms display for the new york worlds fair, 19391940 i. Nov 06, 2017 the famous theme of the 1939 new york worlds fair was the world of tomorrow. Wells in his book the shape of things to come, and its film adaptation. Lessons for the 1939 worlds fair for the coming transportation. 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. Jun 10, 2016 in 1939, a nation struggling to recover from the great depression looked toward the future at the world s fair in new york city. Inventions you had no idea debuted at worlds fairs insider. This small paper book touted the future of motorways for the american way of life.
The famous theme of the 1939 new york worlds fair was the world of tomorrow. Jun 17, 2010 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. 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. Wanted to be the first to post this morning about today being the 80th anniversary of the opening ceremonies for the 1939 new york world s fair. When cars ruled the worlds fair the new york times.
In norman bel geddes designs was the general motors futurama building and exhibit at the new york worlds fair 1939 40. General motors 35,738squarefoot highways and horizons pavilion contained the fair s most popular exhibit entitled futurama. The official guide book to the 1939 new york worlds fair is a beautiful, hardbound book full of paleofuturistic delights. General motors was at the forefront with a huge pavillion and show called futurama. Roosevelt delivered the opening address at the new york worlds fair, and nbc broadcast the speech to homes all across the country for the first time. 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. Mint condition memorabilia from this most famous world fair. It will give visitors a glimpse of the world of tomorrow and. The original draft of the worlds fair goblin was called the man of tomorrow, but it was considered better advertising to include the worlds fair name in the title.
Here s a look back at all the wonderful things that the visitors to. How the 1939 worlds fair anticipated our current obsession with urban data science and smart cities. It resembled a ride at modern disney parks, with speakers inside each separate seating box providing a running commentary. Heres a look back at all the wonderful things that the visitors to. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
The 1939 worlds fair, held in flushing meadows, captured the spirit of two. This was the heyday of the world s fair and is among one of the most popular world s fairs for collectibles. Regular followers of this blog will recognize the button featured at the right from one of our earlier posts about the museums new york worlds fair collections. The new york worlds fair of 1939 and 1940 promised visitors they would be.
Two express highways cross in per futurama, 1939 worlds fair model. Futurama drew more visitors than the fairs midway section, home. Book, futurama, 1939 objects collection of cooper hewitt. Norman bel geddess futurama exhibit, dedicated to building the world of tomorrow, proved to be a step into bob hesdorfers future before. It has been added to my 1939 mercury dime bank in my smalls case. Futurama was an exhibitride at the 1939 new york worlds fair. This summer marks the 73rd anniversary of the 1939 worlds fair, an event that would change the new york dining world forever. The 1939 gm futurama exhibit was designed by a theatrical and industrial designer named norman bel geddes. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Bel geddess greatest achievement, the futurama at the 1939 new york worlds fair, is long gone, and the fact that it exists only in photographs and some brief film clips probably contributed.
And the television broadcast of the fairs opening ceremonies, on april 30,1939, heralded the. Perhaps it was best portrayed in general motors futurama, an exhibition designed by. The 193940 new york worlds fair was a worlds fair held at flushing meadowscorona park in queens, new york, united states. Designed by norman bel geddes, the huge diorama presented a section of. Who knew that a 1939 fair would have such continuing impact. Did fdr, einstein and 200,000 others show up on opening day to see the. The installation was sponsored by the general motors corporation and was characterized by automated highways and vast suburbs. The 1939 new york worlds fair while most of the western world was still in the grip of the great depression and more troubles lay ahead, the new york worlds fair opened to the public with exhibits on the promising theme of the world of tomorrow. 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. Nov 26, 20 regular followers of this blog will recognize the button featured at the right from one of our earlier posts about the museums new york worlds fair collections. This was designer bel geddes masterpiece the futurama exhibit in gms highways and horizons pavilion at the worlds fair, that. 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. 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. African americans and the world of tomorrow newyork.
Apr, 2010 futurama at 1939 ny world s fair duration. The new york worlds fair of 1939 consisted of 100 exhibition buildings, with over 1,500 exhibitors, and with 60 nations and international organizations present in an array of pavilions. In 1939, a nation struggling to recover from the great depression looked toward the future at the worlds fair in new york city. Located on seven acres in the transportation zone, it was comprised of four structures on four corners of an imaginary street intersection as it might appear in perhaps 1960. Apr 30, 2016 the 1939 worlds fair sat on the precipice of disaster. Plus there were numerous vendors hawking events and products along the amusement zone, with its typical funpark rides e.
Futurama, the model city of 1960, designed by norman bel geddes for the general motors exhibit at the new york worlds fair in 1939. Check out our 1930s world fair selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. African americans perform in frank bucks jungleland, a popular attraction at the 1939 worlds fair. The book of record, printed in 1938 on permanent paper with special ink.
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