The History of World Expositions

The Chicago World Exposition 1933 & 1934
The progress of science


Year: 1933
City: Chicago
Country: USA
Duration: 27th May - 12th November 1933 und 25th M
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Copyright:
Opening ceremony

Highly advanced scientific methods were used to open the World's Fair on 27 May 1933. Four large astronomical observatories in the USA aimed their telescopes at the star Arcturus, which is 40 light years away from Earth, to capture the star's light rays on photo-electric cells. These light signals were then converted into energy, amplified and used to turn on the machinery and lighting at the grounds of the fair. Since neither the President nor the Vice-President of the USA was able to come to Chicago the fair was opened by James A. Farley, the Postmaster General. 500 people joined a parade, showing the traditional costumes and flags of the 40 nations that were taking part in the fair. Speeches were held by Rufus Dawes, president of the exposition, Edward Kelly, the new mayor of Chicago, and Edwin Frost, the former head of the Yerkes astronomical observatory, who explained astronomical and technical aspects of the opening ceremony. Then the beauty queen Lillian Anderson appeared in front of the crowd and the opera singer Laurence Tibbett sang the national anthem accompanied by a choir of 2,500, thus concluding the opening the fair.


EXPOSEEUM - The Museum of World Exhibitions, Hanover, Expo Plaza 11
Open every Sunday from 11 to 16