Century 21 Digital Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair showcased Seattle as a space-age city. See photos, brochures, postcards and other items related to Seattle’s 1960s vision of the future.
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View N.W. of Int. Exhibit area north of Coliseum
Construction of International Mall of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “Six hyperbolic paraboloid shells blending into a single fluted column make up two of the exhibit buildings; the third, not shown, is simply a box beam shelter. The twin structures actually are a collection of 52 of these shells and, with their classic Oriental overtones, seem to be particularly fitting for the foreign displays they contain. A fine, clean concrete surface was created by coating the four forms with fiberglass. High-early cement was used to cast the 1 ½ in. thick shells. With temperatures ranging from 35 to 65 deg., calcium chloride was added and cylinder strengths of over 3,000 lb. were obtained in 24 hours. Located on the northwest corner of the exposition site, the inside-out umbrellas with their colorful fiberglass panels present an exciting boundary.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 32.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00277
Date: 1962-02-11
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On Boulevard West
Boulevards of the World at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Boulevards of the World area is the shopping center of the fair. Stores, stands and kiosks displaying the goods and gifts of a dozen nations line the gay and colorful thoroughfares that tie the five theme Worlds of Century 21 together. Exotic shops and restaurants are on Boulevard East, Boulevard West, Freedom Way and United Nations Way. In among the bazaars are fine restaurants and elegant exhibits. In the streets, kiosks display food and favors for sale, while along the edges are benches for the sightseers." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00237
Date: 1962-05-05
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View west; Telephone bldg. right center
View of Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01047
Date: 1962-09
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U.S. Science Pavilion interior
United States Science Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “Beneath five arching towers representing man’s constant striving for knowledge for the universe will be presented the most significant scientific display ever assembled…It is the United States Government’s Science Exhibit, a $9,000,000 program of participation including a giant six-building pavilion and unique exhibits dedicated to showing the peaceful uses of science. Stepping out of the textbook into the techniques of showmanship will be the authentic story of the tremendous break-throughs in the barriers which now stand between man and his conquering of space, his control of weather, disease, and over-population of the world.” (Washington State Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development. Seattle World's Fair preview. Seattle: Acme Publications, 1961, n.p.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00851
Date: 1962-10
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View N.E. of fair
Aerial view of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00008
Date: 1962-09-30
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Small old world shops on Blvd. West; view N.E.
Concessions, Boulevards of the World, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Boulevards of the World area is the shopping center of the fair. Stores, stands and kiosks displaying the goods and gifts of a dozen nations line the gay and colorful thoroughfares that tie the five theme Worlds of Century 21 together." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.) Building 20.
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00456
Date: 1962-09
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Fairliner on fairgrounds; Union 76 Skyride terminal in distance, 1962
Fairliner, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). "THE FAIRLINER--trackless gasoline-operated vehicles with a capacity of 50 sightseers each maintain regular schedules. These elephant trains wind around the grounds, giving passengers in their three cars a complete circuit of the grounds every 25 minutes. Tour prices: Adults--50¢; Children--25¢. Charter prices: $30.00 per 1/2 hour." (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 64.)<br><br>Clarence E. "Gene" Voiland was a West Seattle pharmacist who enjoyed using his new Balda Baldamatic I 35 mm camera.
Identifier: spl_c21_jv_014
Date: 1962
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View East with Monorail station to left; 110.000 fair attendance day; 4 P.M.
Aerial view of Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “World’s Fair attendance, like a flaming skyrocket, zoomed to a new record yesterday. By 10 o’clock, the total was 114,104. The old mark was 106,860, set September 15. The fair’s new admissions policy--$1 after 6 o’clock instead of the regular $2--was credited with pulling in the evening crowd.” (Stanton H. Patty, Seattle Times, October 7, 1962.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00329
Date: 1962-10-06
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Washington State theme exhibit interior in Coliseum
Washington State Theme Exhibit, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Rising in the center of the Coliseum, the ‘World of Tomorrow’ exhibit symbolizes the 21st century -- just beyond man’s reach yet within his range of vision. The theme of this structure of interlocking aluminum cubes, ‘The Threshold and the Threat,’ depicts the ambivalence of atomic power, to be employed either for the advancement or the annihilation of man and his planet. Visitors ascend to the overhead exhibit in a globe-shaped elevator, the ‘Bubbleator,’ for a 21-minute tour of the future, which includes a look at the city of tomorrow, the home of the future, and transportation, industry, food production, education, communications and recreation in the 21st century…The ‘World of Tomorrow’ exhibit was designed by the Donald Deskey Associates of New York and installed by the Radio Corporation of America. The State of Washington sponsored and financed the exhibit.” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, pp. 31-32.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01100
Date: 1962-10-07
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View N.W. of Chun King Café
Chun King Chinese restaurant, on United Nations Way opposite Food Circus, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Snacks and meals are available almost anywhere you go on the fairgrounds. In addition to the food concessions to be found in the fabulous Food Circus...there are places to eat in every area." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 135.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00435
Date: 1962-06-19
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