WORLD OF TOMORROW

This newsreel of the 1939 New York's World's Fair shows some of the highlights of the fair, including the pavilions of various states and nations, the General Electric Pavilion, the Amusement Area (the Life Saver Parachute Jump later relocated to Coney Island, is at the 5:15 mark), the Savoy stage show, and the automotive pavilions including those of Ford and General Motors -- known as the Futurama. There are also displays of modern and historic railroad locomotives as part of the "Railroads on Parade" stage show. The 1939–40 New York World's Fair, which covered the 1,216 acres (492 ha) of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (also the location of the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair), was the second most expansive American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. Many countries around the world participated in it, and over 44 million people attended its exhibits in two seasons. The NYWF of 1939–1940 was the first exposition to be based on the future, with an opening slogan of "Dawn of a New Day", and it allowed all visitors to take a look at "the world of tomorrow". The fair was divided into differently themed zones, such as the Transportation Zone, the Communications and Business Systems Zone, the Food Zone, the Government Zone, and so forth. Virtually every structure erected on the fairgrounds was extraordinary, and many of them were experimental in many ways. Architects were encouraged by their corporate or government sponsors to be creative, energetic and innovative. Novel building designs, materials and furnishings were the norm. Beyond the corporate and government zones, the wildly popular but less uplifting Amusements Area was not integrated into the thematic matrix, and was a mere Area rather than a Zone. Despite the high-minded educational tone that Grover Whalen attempted to set, the Amusements Area was the most popular part of the Fair, and included a roller coaster, the Life Savers parachute jump (later moved to Coney Island, where it still stands today), the 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge Gimbels Flyer train ride (later purchased by Kennywood, where it still runs today), and carnival acts such as a collection of performing dwarves.

Transcription

[Music] [Applause] [Music] gateway to the 155 million wonderlands. From far and near come countless visitors. By every mode of travel, every means of transportation, they arrive to view the marvels of the greatest exposition in history. Outstanding landmark is the theme center. While the four freedoms, speech, press, assembly, and religion, overlook Constitution Mall, 30 ft high, they symbolize the four rights of free Americans guaranteed by the Constitution. [Music] The 700 ft trilon rises above all else, and the circling helicine that leads into the Parisphere's exhibit, Democracy, is a pathway to the future. Thousands are treading to get a fascinating preview of things to come. Main Street of the Fair is the $60 million mall, extending from theme center to federal building. It is dominated by an heroic 65- ft statue of George Washington, a patriotic masterpiece by James Earl Fraser. Everywhere, sculptured settings add to the fair's unique appeal. Two towering pylons flank the Hall of Communications, and in the court is speed, a sculptured tribute. The imposing British Pavilion houses one of the most impressive foreign exhibits, while the Hall of Nations displays the handiccraft of smaller countries. America's own handsome federal building shows Uncle Sam at his best. It is boarded by still another Hall of Nations, where the rest of the foreign exhibits valued at $31 million are centered. In the court of states, north, south, east, and west are represented. From Pennsylvania's replica of the cradle of liberty to the lone the Alamo. [Music] Arizona, the union's youngest state, contributes to the Star Spangled Congress of Achievement, as does Maine, most northern. Distinctive buildings like West Virginia's classical colonades and Florida's tropical Spanish towers provide picturesque settings for the products of each section of this great land. Structures which strikingly recall the history and stress the climate of their respective domains. Role of Honor stretching across plane and prairie from coast to coast showing the world the vast resources and the glories of America, the triumphs of city and country, farm and factory. A saga of democracy. A lightning bolt epitomizes man's harnessing of electricity. In this plaza of light, the nation's foremost companies present the magic of today that paves the way for the miracles of tomorrow. [Music] Symbols of more power to you and all the world. Signposts are the marvels of the modern electric era. [Music] A man-made Niagara features the building that houses the electric utilities display. Here is emphasized the forward march of America. Resistless as a torrent flow through a transparent tunnel. Visitors emerge directly beneath the roaring waterfall. Across the plaza, a water ballet of fountains plays an aquatic symphony before the city of light. A study of the great metropolis from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn. The Empire State Bridge leads to the amusement area. A rhythmic mile of fun and frolic. A 279 ft drop into the world of tomorrow. It's the greatest show on earth. [Music] Warm rhythms from Cuba [Music] and hot from Harlem and the Hotspots. They got rhythm. Yeah, man. [Music] Little old New York shares the spotlight and bucks and bells takoran heavyweight strip the light fantastic with abandon and great for reducing tons and tons of fun. Fun on ice, too. The fair's midway doops offers a skating extravaganza with all the thrills of a winter playland thrown in. And ski jumping by international champions of the world. [Music] In the transportation zone, outstanding exhibits by leaders of the auto industry present the highlights of the motor age. Amazing conquests of time and space. Monument to mass production that put America on wheels. Here are symbolized the changes the automobile has wrought in our country. Contributing to a new way of life, blazing a trail to the road of tomorrow. Sensational is the futurama that projects you into 1960. The highways and horizon show. Railroads are on parade, too. Crack foreign streamliners like Britain's Coronation Scott and Italy's 2-m a minute Rome Naples Express stand side by side with our fastest engines. [Music] Drama of the Iron Horse is a pageant portraying a century of railroad development. [Music] Colorful review from the stovepipe specials of yesterday to the streamliners of today and tomorrow. [Music] Nocturn. Spectacular illumination after dark turns the fair into a futuristic fairyland. A study in lights and shadows of breathtaking beauty. [Music] Grand Pinata, a patriotic and stirring symphony of fireworks and fountains, water and light, a pyro technic salute to the world of tomorrow. [Music]

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