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.
The theme of the fair was technological innovation, and its motto was “Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Adapts”, trumpeting the message that science and American life were wedded. 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. The exposition “emphasized technology and progress, a utopia, or perfect world, founded on democracy and manufacturing.”
Here below is a set of vintage postcards that shows the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 and 1934.
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| 23rd Street Bridge and Shops, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| American Radiator-Standard Sanitary Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Design for Living, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Egyptian Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Federal Building and States Group by Illumination, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Field Museum, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Firestone Automatic Curing Mold, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Firestone Factory and Exhibition Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Firestone High Speed Air Balloon Tires, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Firestone Patented Gum-Dipping Process, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Firestone Spectacular Singing Color Fountain, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Fort Dearborn, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| General Houses Inc. House, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| General Motors Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Gigantic Fountain, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Hall of Religion, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Interior of Ann Rutledge Inn, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Japanese Pavilion, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Morocco Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Muller-Pabst Cafe, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| North Midway Luncheonette, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Owens-Illinois Glass Block Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Pabst Blue Ribbon Casino, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Pueblo Dobe House, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Shedd Aquarium, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Sky Ride, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Streets of Paris, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Swedish Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| The Belgian Village, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| The House of Tomorrow, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| The Monkeys on Enchanted Island, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Toy Town Tavern, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Ukrainian Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Victor Vienna Garden Cafe, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Wings of a Century, Chicago World's Fair, 1933 |
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| Armour Building, Chicago World's Fair, 1934 |
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| Hakll of Science, Chicago World's Fair, 1934 |
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| Hall of Science, Chicago World's Fair, 1934 |
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| Havoline Thermometer, Chicago World's Fair 1934 |
Fun! Thanks for sharing. I bought my mother in law a booklet of mini post cards from this found at a junk store in Duluth, MN. Wish I'd taken photos before giving it to her. We used to stay at that log cabin when it was repurposed after the fair.
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