Century of Progress

1933–1934 Chicago
A 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair poster. It was later decided to continue the fair into 1934. This poster features the fair's Federal Building and Hall of States.
Overview
BIE-classUniversal exposition
CategoryHistorical Expo
NameA Century of Progress International Exposition
MottoScience Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms
Area172 hectares (430 acres)
Visitors48,469,227
Location
CountryUnited States
CityChicago
VenueLakefront, Northerly Island
Coordinates41°51′38″N 87°36′41″W / 41.86056°N 87.61139°W / 41.86056; -87.61139
Timeline
Bidding1923
OpeningMay 27, 1933 (1933-05-27)
ClosureOctober 31, 1934 (1934-10-31)
Universal expositions
PreviousIbero-American Exposition of 1929 in Sevilla and 1929 Barcelona International Exposition in Barcelona
NextBrussels International Exposition (1935) in Brussels

A Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was a world's fair held in the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States, from 1933 to 1934. The fair, registered under the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), celebrated the city's centennial. Designed largely in Art Deco style, the theme of the fair was technological innovation, and its motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms", trumpeting the message that science and American life were wedded.[1] Its architectural symbol was the Sky Ride, a transporter bridge perpendicular to the shore on which one could ride from one side of the fair to the other.

One description of the fair noted that the world, "then still mired in the malaise of the Great Depression, could glimpse a happier not-too-distant future, all driven by innovation in science and technology". Fair visitors saw the latest wonders in rail travel, automobiles, architecture and even cigarette-smoking robots.[2] The exposition "emphasized technology and progress, a utopia, or perfect world, founded on democracy and manufacturing."[3]

  1. ^ "World's Fairs 1933–1939". Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. encyclopedia. March 6, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  2. ^ LaMorte, Chris (October 2, 2017). "Century of Progress Homes Tour at Indiana Dunes takes visitors back to the future". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  3. ^ "World's Fairs 1933–1939". Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. Encyclopedia. February 25, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.

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