Century of Progress International Exposition
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| Century of Progress International Exposition | |
|---|---|
 Weimer Pursell, silkscreen print by Neely Printing Co., Chicago · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Century of Progress International Exposition |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Opening | May 27, 1933 |
| Closure | November 12, 1933, and May 26, 1934 - October 31, 1934 |
| Previous | Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne |
| Next | 1939 World's Fair |
Century of Progress International Exposition was a groundbreaking world's fair held in Chicago, Illinois, from May 27, 1933, to November 12, 1933, and again from May 26, 1934, to October 31, 1934. The fair was organized by a group of Chicago businessmen, including Rufus C. Dawes, Charles S. Dewey, and James Simpson, with the goal of promoting Chicago as a major United States city and showcasing the latest innovations in science, technology, and culture. The fair featured exhibits and attractions from over 40 countries, including Germany, Japan, and the Soviet Union, as well as numerous United States corporations, such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The fair's theme, "A Century of Progress," was chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chicago's incorporation as a town, which was founded by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable and had since grown into a major city, with notable residents including Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway, and Richard J. Daley.
● History
The idea for the fair was first proposed in the late 1920s by a group of Chicago businessmen, who were inspired by the success of previous world's fairs, such as the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in Paris. The fair's organizers, including Rufus C. Dawes and Charles S. Dewey, worked closely with Chicago city officials, such as Mayor Edward J. Kelly, to secure funding and support for the project. The fair was officially sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions and was supported by numerous United States government agencies, including the United States Department of Commerce and the United States Department of State. The fair's history is closely tied to that of other notable events, such as the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the 1936 Summer Olympics, which were held in Berlin and featured athletes from around the world, including Jesse Owens and Adolf Hitler.
● Planning and Preparation
The planning and preparation for the fair were overseen by a team of experienced professionals, including Daniel Burnham, a renowned Chicago architect, and Raymond Hood, a prominent New York City architect. The fair's site, which was located on the shores of Lake Michigan, was designed to be a model of modern urban planning, with wide streets, ample parking, and state-of-the-art amenities, such as electricity and plumbing. The fair's organizers worked closely with numerous United States corporations, including General Electric, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and Procter & Gamble, to create innovative and interactive exhibits that showcased the latest advances in science and technology. The fair's planning and preparation were also influenced by the work of notable figures, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Walter Gropius, who were all leading architects of the time and had designed notable buildings, such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Bauhaus.
● Exhibits and Attractions
The fair featured a wide range of exhibits and attractions, including the General Motors "Highway and Horizon" exhibit, which showcased the latest advances in automotive technology, and the Westinghouse Electric Corporation "Electro the Robot" exhibit, which featured a robotic humanoid that could perform a variety of tasks. The fair also included numerous international pavilions, such as the German Pavilion, which was designed by Albert Speer, and the Soviet Pavilion, which featured a large statue of Vladimir Lenin. Other notable exhibits and attractions included the Sky Ride, a cable car system that offered panoramic views of the fair, and the Enchanted Island, a amusement park that featured a variety of rides and attractions, including the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster. The fair's exhibits and attractions were designed to be entertaining and educational, and were influenced by the work of notable figures, such as Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, and Charlie Chaplin.
● Legacy and Impact
The fair had a significant impact on Chicago and the United States, helping to establish Chicago as a major United States city and promoting the latest advances in science, technology, and culture. The fair also had a lasting impact on the development of world's fairs, influencing the design and content of subsequent fairs, such as the 1939 World's Fair in New York City and the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. The fair's legacy can be seen in the many notable buildings and landmarks that were constructed for the fair, including the Museum of Science and Industry, which was designed by Charles B. Atwood, and the Shedd Aquarium, which was designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. The fair's impact can also be seen in the many notable figures who were influenced by the fair, including Buckminster Fuller, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Raymond Loewy, who all went on to become leading figures in their respective fields, and were influenced by the work of other notable figures, such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.