The future remembered, the 1962 seattle worlds fair and its legacy, is published by the seattle center foundation in association with historyink and authored by paula becker and alan stein. As seattle prepares for the 50th anniversary saturday of the worlds fair that reshaped the city, we pulled dozens of photos from the century 21 exposition from the archive. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. Seattle carveyor proposal passenger belt conveyor system for seattle transit commission to service century 21 exposition document 6118 authored by passenger belt conveyors, inc. Photographed on december 2, 2011 by hayley young its easy to look back and see the fair as inevitable, but it wasnt. Ask any 21stcentury collector of memorabilia from century 21 the 1962 seattle world s fair that envisioned a sleek new tomorrowland inspired by science and human ingenuity. Seattle world s fair, april 21october 21, 1962 rose art museum. This site is dedicated to collectors and enthusiasts of the seattle worlds fair and all of its related memorabilia. The century 21 exposition was originally planned in 1955 to honor the 50 anniversary. On april 12, 1962, during the seattle century 21 world s fair opening ceremonies, an air force f102 airplane crashes into the mountlake terrace neighborhood. Between april 21 and october 21, 1962, close to 10 million people visited the fair to climb the space needle, ride the monorail, see the exhibits, take in a.
The space needle overlooking the world s fair in seattle. Seattles 1962 worlds fair by bill cotter goodreads. I still remember visiting it when i was a bit older than that. The exposition gave seattle world wide recognition, effectively putting it on the map. Dec 21, 2015 bill cotter is a longtime world s fair enthusiast who has traveled to many international exhibitions. Officially known as the century 21 exposition, this fair has been inspired by the promise of a new age before. The irrepressible and brash gracie hansen best remembered for presenting shapely showgirls in her glamorous las vegasstyle burlesque nightclub at seattle s century 21 exposition seattle worlds fair in 1962 was a most improbable individual to fulfill that role. Seattle worlds fair 1962 official souvenir program. A souvenir booklet regarding the 1962 world s fair in seattle, washington. The united states science exhibit seattle worlds fair, 1962 by spilhaus, dr. Get the best deal for 1962 seattle worlds fair collectibles from the largest online selection at. Official guide book paperback 1962 by various author 5.
Structural engineers contributed to this vision through the application of pioneering techniques in the design of the fairs structures. Vintage seattle world fair slide photos from 1962 sealed 30 total. Ask any 21stcentury collector of memorabilia from century 21 the 1962 seattle world s fair that envisioned a sleek new tomorrowland inspired. The united states science exhibit seattle world s fair, 1962 by spilhaus, dr. Pacific magazine a new book celebrates the vision and muscle that made seattle s 1962 world s fair kcts documentary created through historical photographs and motion pictures of the 1962 seattle world s fair, when seattle invented the future brings to life the textures and sounds of seattle in the late 50s and early 60s.
Alf heller was the dean of expo journalists and attended almost every world s fair from san francisco s golden gate expo of 193940 on. An artists conception of the century 21 seattle space needle left. The attendance success of most worlds fair depends on the people within a few hundred miles. The century 21 exposition, also known as the seattle worlds fair, was held from april 21, 1962, until october 21, 1962. Inventions you had no idea debuted at worlds fairs insider.
The century 21 exposition, the 1962 worlds fair, brought a new concept to seattle long lines. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading seattles 1962 worlds fair images of america. The space needle, theme building of the century 21 exposition commonly known as the seattle worlds fair, still stands as seattle s iconic landmark. Bill cotter has done the new york worlds fair edition 19641965 as well. Nothing evokes the future like a piece of the past.
Make offer vintage seattle world fair slide photos from 1962 sealed 30 total. Vintage 1962 seattle worlds fair official guide book. A great compilation of photos from the seattle worlds fair. Seattles 1962 worlds fair, washington images of modern. On the front side there is a wonderful feature of a 360 degree things to see as the restaurant slowly spins. Oct 06, 2010 the seattle world s fair opened when i was 1 year old. Cities across the country hoped to attract new aerospace companies, but the city leaders of seattle launched the most ambitious campaign of all. Special collections, university of washington, neg. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. That article, included in the gallery above, was in a special section on planning for seattles future.
This wonderful souvenir tray is from the 1962 seattle worlds fair. Nov 09, 2011 those facts come to you courtesy of a coffee table book commemorating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the worlds fair in seattle. A new commemorative book for the 50th anniversary of the 1962 seattle worlds fair has just been released. This is black and white photos and these images of america books go that way. Seattle celebrates its 1962 worlds fair the new york times. Naturally, that anniversary extends to the space needle, the pacific science center, the monorail, and the seattle center area itself. The seattle worlds fair of 1962 celebrated century 21, offering a vision of the future to 10 million visitors and defining seattle as a city of innovation. Pri9ters of the official souvenir program and the official guide book. I lost my access to the web site and after nearly 6 years i have been successful in recovering access to my web site. The 1962 extravaganza was first conceived as an anniversary of seattle s first and smaller worlds fair, the alaskayukonpacific exposition of 1909. It features the seattle space needle and other space age images. As part of the opening day ceremonies, 10 air force f102s with the 64th fighterinterceptor squadron at paine field near everett did a flyby over the century 21 fairgrounds. The space needle and the alweg monorail are relics of this historical exposition. Magazine views of the 1962 seattle world s fair, including an illustrated map.
The impact of the cold war on washington, the 1962 seattle worlds fair. Yes, seattle was one swaggering city of space age superlatives when it put on the 1962 worlds fair. The author of eight prior books on fairs for arcadia, he is a frequent contributor to other books, magazines, and documentaries on world s fairs, and he has spoken extensively on the subject. As the child, the seattle worlds fair sparked my immagination and started my interest in fairs and expositions. Girls of the galaxy show on show street the adult entertainment part of the fair is closed by fair officials because of excessive nudity. Seattles 1962 worlds fair images of america 9780738581255. Seattle worlds fair century 21 exposition official medal. It is the seattle space needle, the topic of thursdays columbia forum. As worlds fairs go, the century 21 exposition is not a big one. The book highlights it with cosmic illustrations and mankinds adventure into the unknown far away from his home on earth. The seattle world s fair, or century 21 exposition was held in seattle, washington in 1962. A colorful collection of exhibits turned 74 acres of rundown buildings into a futuristic wonderland where dozens of countries and companies predicted life in the future. Athelstan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
A defining moment in the history of seattle, this fair began life as the brainchild of city councilman al rochester. The century 21 exposition also known as the seattle worlds fair was held between april 21 and october 21, 1962 drew almost 10 million visitors. 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. As a child growing up in seattle i can remember the anticipation and excitement in the city leading up to the opening day on april 21, 1962. United states science exhibit seattle worlds fair abebooks.
The fair was also expected to call more national and international attention to seattle. Seattles 1962 worlds fair by bill cotter arcadia publishing books. As planned, the exposition left behind a fairground and numerous public buildings and public works. The seattle world s fair opened when i was 1 year old. The century 21 exposition also known as the seattle world s fair was held between april 21 and october 21, 1962 drew almost 10 million visitors. Seattle worlds fair 1962 guide book tickets buttons gayway century 21 fine arts. But talk of the fair started more than a decade earlier, and the pis first mention of a fair came in a oneparagraph brief on jan. Seattle s world fair in 1962 time capsule space needle nostalgia.
Looking at this book makes me wished i was old enough in 1962 to remember when it was first opened. It took eight months to build the landmark that fit into the expo s 21st century theme. Seattles 1962 worlds fair images of america kindle edition by cotter, bill. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The best of the book is the nostalgic story of the world s fair with a deft balance between the novels fictional characters and the real events and real people from the time. Between april 21 and october 21, 1962, close to 10 million people visited the fair to climb the space needle, ride the monorail, see the exhibits, take in a show, and enjoy the food, fun, and festivities. Seattle worlds fair 1962 memories public group facebook. Get the best deals on 1962 seattle worlds fair collectibles when you shop the largest online selection. Washington when the united states entered the 1960s, the nation was swept up in the space race as the united states and the soviet union competed for supremacy in rocket and satellite technologies. It has been more than fifty years since seattle hosted the 1962 world s fair with its futuristic theme of century 21. Get the best deals on 1962 seattle worlds fair collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. It featured a gayway amusement zone, like our fair, and pavilions and exhibits from the government and around the.
That a modern worlds fair would be held in seattle in 1962 was, in many ways, absurd. And everyone from walt disney to the kennedy family came to see it when it premiered at the 1962 worlds fair. Incredible photographs of the 1962 seattle worlds fair. See more ideas about world s fair, seattle and world. They invited the whole world to visit for the 1962 seattle worlds fair, and more than nine million people took them up on the offer. She cowrote with alan stein the book alaskayukonpacific exposition. Seattle century 21 exposition 1962 americas best history. In 1962 natural gas was still a newer utility so there was a lot of effort made to gain the publics acceptance. Posts about 1962 seattle worlds fair written by batgurrl.
It was located on the northeast corner of the fairgrounds in the adult section of the fair called show street. As seattle prepares for the 50th anniversary saturday of the worlds fair that reshaped the city, we pulled dozens of photos from the century 21 exposition from the seattlepi. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. See more ideas about worlds fair, seattle and world. Seattle worlds fair 1962 official souvenir program seattle worlds fair, color photographs on. This novel alternates chapters between the 1962 world s fair and 39 years later when the founder of the fair, a fictitious character, runs for mayor of seattle. Incredible photographs of the 1962 seattle worlds fair by jacob miller the century 21 exposition, also known as the seattle worlds fair, was. They invited the whole world to visit for the 1962 seattle world s fair, and more than nine million people took them up on the offer. May 09, 2017 advertisement in the official 1962 worlds fair guide book. A bibliography listing the highlights of archival, print, and. The reverse is the artists expression of outer space. The century 21 exposition also known as the seattle worlds fair was a worlds fair held april 21, 1962, to october 21, 1962, in seattle, washington. Jan 05, 2020 1962 photo, item 78891, courtesy of the seattle municipal archives.
Between april 21 and october 21, 1962, close to 10 million people visited the seattle worlds fair. With the soviet launch of sputnik we knew the 1962 seattle worlds fair had to be more than a festival of the west or a simple anniversary celebration. The seattle center monorail, the other widely known futuristic feature of the fair, still operates daily. To many, there never was a fair to compare to the seattle world s fair, or century 21. Jay rockey, the man who sold seattle and century 21 to the world, as public relations director for the 1962 worlds fair. Love and other consolation prizes was inspired by the true story of an infant boy who was raffled off at the 1909 seattle worlds fair, as a now available in 1909, seattle was the time and place for the alaskanyukonpacific exposition. Apr 18, 2000 the 1962 seattle world s fair, otherwise known as century 21, gave visitors a glimpse of the future and left seattle with a lasting legacy. Life magazine publishes a second seattle worlds fair cover, featuring the monorail and headlined. The 1962 seattle worlds fair and its legacy paula becker, alan j. On the pay streak midway at ayp, a baby incubator exhibit showed off preemies in newfangled warmers, and the igorrote village exhibit allowed visitors to gawk at filipino natives in. Worlds fair 50th anniversary living the seattle times. Expomuseum 1962 century 21 exposition, seattle, washington, usa. Official guide book seattle worlds fair 1962 by bruno manuel dos. Or century 21 exposition had some attractions that enhanced the publicity.
Value of seattle worlds fair memorabilia is in the heart. In 1959, the state of oregon held the oregon centennial exposition to celebrate its 100 years of statehood. These medals have not been touched since they were placed in the album holder is as new as the first day it was purchased. I think people collect worlds fair stuff so they can say, forty years ago. Science pavilion, dedicated to the countrys advances in science and space exploration.
Bettmann getty like the eiffel tower and the chicago ferries wheel, the space needle was created for the 1962 world s fair in seattle. Unfollow 1962 world fair seattle to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. May 06, 2012 to remember its 1962 worlds fair, seattle is giving the space needle a fresh look and hosting a sixmonth celebration. Up for auction is a mint collection medals commentating the 1962 world s fair in seattle washington. On the urban agendas behind century 21, see john m.
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