Here are some scans from various Expositions - otherwise known as World's Fairs (I'm not really sure why "exposition" is used sometimes, and not others).
I like this great photo from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, also known as the "Century 21 Exposition". It's a crisp and well-composed look at the amusement zone, called the "Gay Way". These small souvenir and food stands are more akin to a state fair, though that's not a bad thing. Cotton candy! Sno cones! Caramel apples! The three basic food groups, if I remember my schoolin'. That giant puff of cotton candy atop that one stand looks like it was fashioned from pink fiberglass insulation (and perhaps it was). I like the way it looks slightly dirty, as if it has been dropped into a puddle a few times. Mmmm, gritty.
Meanwhile, the cute little Sky Ride (sponsored by Union 76) makes the perfect accompaniment.
Next we are visiting the "Expo 86", or The World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, held in Vancouver, British Columbia. The lovely lunar-module thingy (a 17-story geodesic dome) is the Expo Centre, which initially opened in 1985 as a preview center (centre?) for the Expo. FYI, this was the last World's Fair (or Expo) to be held in North America. The last Expo in the U.S. was in New Orleans in 1984 - the Louisiana World Exposition.
While this cool structure was slated to be torn down, the public rallied, and it still stands today as "Science World", with a 500-seat Omnimax Theater (theatre?), a "Futures Theater with push-button voting" (?), and a display of futuristic vehicles.
The Sky Ride carried almost 10 million people over the course of the Expo!
And finally, here's a single photo from Osaka's "Expo 1970". Did I mention it was in Osaka? The theme was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind", and not "Cartoons and Candy" as I suggested. Their loss. I did a previous post with photos from Expo 1970 (see it HERE); like that post, I know so little about the structures and buildings at the Osaka Expo that I can offer no information. If any of you can chime in, please do so!
Major-
ReplyDeleteOne simply cannot have too much 'Cotton Candy'. One of my favorite, and rarely-seen rides on the Gayway was called the Spacewhirl - seen HERE.
Thanks, Major.
I love the giant cotton candy! It looks like the Bride of Frankenstein's hair, but with a different dye job.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I wonder if that "Science World" structure was the inspiration for Spaceship Earth. I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Certainly looks a lot like it, only more "blocky."
ReplyDeleteAlso, interesting that there's a sky lift passing by since Epcot is currently constructing a sky lift that will transport guest between the park, the hotels, and Disney Hollywood Studios. :D
The Disney Dudbro, Since that "Science World" structure was built a few years after 1982, I doubt it was the inspiration for Spaceship Earth. It was actually the U.S. Pavilion at Expo '67 in Canada that was the inspiration for Epcot's Spaceship Earth.
ReplyDeleteThe structural designs of both the Expo'67 U.S Pavilion and Epcot's Spaceship Earth were completed by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. of Boston Massachusetts.
https://tce-live2.s3.amazonaws.com/media/media/f9db4e45-8bfd-4d68-bf39-5d943d380eff.jpg
And yes, the first thing I thought of when I saw the Skyway and "Science World" structure was Walt Disney World's new Skyway transportation system being built.
The giant cotton candy does it for me too. Thanks, Major!
ReplyDeleteI second "Cartoons and Candy!"
ReplyDeleteNanook, that Spacewhirl is pretty cool, I don’t know if I have ever seen a photo of it before!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I was surprised to read that (supposedly) Elsa Lanchester’s “Bride” had red hair - not quite cotton candy pink, but still odd.
The Disney Dudebro, it is possible that the U.S. Pavilion at Montreal’s “Expo ’67” was more of an inspiration. Take a look at it here! http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/expo-67-us-pavilion.html
K. Martinez, ha, I honestly had not read ahead… interesting that the same designs for Expo ’67 and Spaceship Earth were done by the same firm!
K. Martinez, you’ll be extra happy when I show a closeup of that cotton candy!
Gnometrek, you are obviously wise beyond your years.
I'm skipping that Cotton Candy booth for that apple stand. Gonna get me a Mackintosh, maybe two.
ReplyDeleteMajor and K Martinez: Mea Culpa. I had the two Canadian structures confused. :P
ReplyDelete