In 1939, the future wasn't so bright. The U.S. was still mired in The Depression and Hitler's rise to power pointed toward world conquest and inevitable war. Yet, in spite of these bleak times, the most spectacular celebration of optimism ever conceived was held: the New York World's Fair. Massive in every scale imaginable, the Fair created a small city of exhibits by countries and corporations to show people "The World of Tomorrow." Technology, architecture, art, fashion, food, entertainment, and hundreds of consumer products were reimagined as they would appear in the future. One of the most stunning exhibits was General Motors' Futurama, an $8 million multimedia extravaganza created by famed industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. Visitors sat in high-backed chairs that whisked them into the world of 1960, a time of superhighways, radio-controlled cars, massive skyscrapers, and suburbanization. After flying over precise models of this futuristic landscape, visitors left their seats and walked into a full-scale replica of the last model on their trip, an actual city intersection; upon their exit, they received a badge that declared, "I Have Seen the Future." And in many ways, they did. GM's optimism that the automobile would dictate the designs of future roadways and cities was indeed accurate. The following brochure gives a detailed look at Futurama and its many amazing models of futuristic cities.

SEE THE FUTURE AS IT WAS!

Back to Unusual Ephemera