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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U.S. Science Pavilion; Hatching chickens
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_00852
Date: 1962-10
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Alweg monorail : the fascinating story of the world's most modern transportation system
Booklet describing the Alweg Monorail, which was built for the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair) to carry passengers from downtown Seattle to the exposition grounds. From Page 3: "The installation of an Alweg monorail system in Seattle has...demonstrated convincingly that monorail is capable of performing successfully the complex task of moving large numbers of people within an urban area - the basic function of any mass transit system."
Identifier: spl_c21_218394
Date: 1962
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View so. on Boulevard East; Kodak sales girl at right
The Eastman Kodak Pavilion at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "At the Eastman Kodak Pavilion, on American Way across from the Bell System Pavilion, camera and film technicians operate a photography information service. The technicians assist visitors with special problems they may have with cameras and offer advice on the use of cameras and film. In addition, there are displays of photography." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 60.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00341
Date: 1962-06-19
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Alley 200 block, so. of Thomas between Nob Hill and 3rd Ave. N. View S.E. House to right still occupied
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00203
Date: 1957-10
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A souvenir picture book of Washington, Seattle, and the Seattle World's Fair.
Booklet of color photographs of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair), as well as images from around Washington State.
Identifier: scf_ds_001
Date: 1962
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Brusselles [i.e. Bruxelles] Waffle House; Opera House right background; view N.E.
Belgian Waffle House (Gaufres de Bruxelles), Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair): "Belgian waffles are famous for being widely introduced at a worlds fair, and most reference books say that it was the 1964-1965 New York Worlds Fair. They are wrong. The tasty treats were a hit first in Seattle. The New York version was a lighter waffle and is better known today, but the Belgian Waffle House was a popular spot with the Seattle crowds." (Bill Cotter, Seattle's 1962 World's Fair. 2010: Arcadia Publishing, p. 101.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00414
Date: 1962-04-01
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2 houses 165 (left) and 161 (right west) Harrison Str.
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00274
Date: 1957
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View S.W. of International Mall from Phillipine [i.e. Philippines] Pavilion
International Mall of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “The largest and most diverse of the five great theme areas of the Seattle World’s Fair is the wide and wonderfully varied World of Commerce and Industry. It stretches to the opposite ends of the fair grounds and it is divided into two major divisions, domestic and foreign. The foreign exhibitors are governments, alliances and groups. They are housed in the buildings on the International Plaza and the International Mall.” (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 42.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00326
Date: 1962-10-06
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Coliseum interior
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 1
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01095
Date: 1962-10
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Mexico Pavilion; Self portrait (see other photo of same subject without portrait)
Government of Mexico Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Set off by red lavastone and amberglass walls, the Mexican pavilion offers a collection of leather goods, glassware, Indian blankets, bright cloth and clay and china pottery. Jewelry is displayed in a modernistic setting. The designers of the pavilion, Pedro Vasquez and Rafael Mijares, are from Mexico City. Mr. Molino, Director” (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 37.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00720
Date: 1962-10
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