[Home Movie Medicus collection New York Worlds Fair 1939 40 Reel 2]

This 1939-40 color footage of the New York World’s Fair captures a vivid tapestry of innovation, culture, and spectacle. At the heart of the fair stand the Trylon and Perisphere symbols, encircled by pavilions showcasing electrical marvels, futuristic appliances, and iconic exhibits like General Electric’s “man-made lightning” and Westinghouse’s robot, Elektro. State pavilions celebrate regional identities, while diverse international exhibits, like Sweden’s arts and crafts, reflect global influence. The food displays offer a modern look at production, with Swift’s bacon packaging lines and Wonder Bread’s quirky “Scarecrow of Tomorrow” showcasing agricultural advancements. Visitors enjoy various entertainments, from marionette shows to military displays with marching cadets, adding a patriotic tone. By night, the fairgrounds transform as the Firestone Singing Color Fountain and Alexander Calder’s Water Ballet fountain bathe the fair in brilliant, synchronized colors, encapsulating the fair’s spirit of progress and artistic beauty.

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