There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
Disney history blog 2719 Hyperion is currently doing a series of posts on the 1939 New York Worlds Fair.
Were I sent back in time to the ’39 Fair, I would probably make a beeline for the Donut Pavilion, where fairgoers could eat a plate of donuts served by waitresses in donuty costumes. The restaurant was sponsored by Mayflower Donuts and Maxwell House Coffee; eBay has the menu up for auction. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.
If I could go back in time to any feature of the 1939 NYWF it would have to be the General Motors “World of Tomorrow” in its swanky “Futurama” building.
This cool feature, designed by the great Norman Bel Geddes, is (thankfully) available on film; so, one can get a taste of the experience. But it’s nothing compared to what would have been some viewers’ first glance at high-rise buildings, freeways, parking garages, wide-open city spaces, etc.
At a time when city living was pretty much equal to slum living (unless you had money) the reaction must have been tremendous.
there’s a selection of amateur movies from the 1939 world’s fair in the prelinger archives you might want to check out.