Check Out These Color Photos of the 1939 New York World's Fair in Queens

People visit the Trylon and Perisphere at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Inside the Perisphere was a diorama of a futuristic utopian city named Democracity. After viewing, visitors would leave by descending a long spiral walkway named the Helicline.

The Lucky Strike Cigarettes and Wonder Bread Bakery buildings are shown illuminated at night at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The Electric Utilities Pavilion at night.

The National Cash Register building shows the number of people in attendance at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The United States Pavilion lit up at night.

The General Electric and Westinghouse Pavilions.

A statue of a Pony Express rider being ambushed by Native Americans, at the American Telephone and Telegraph Pavilion.

Detail of Time and the Fates of Man, a sculpture by Paul Manship, in front of the Perisphere, at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The Lucky Strike Cigarettes, Wonder Bread Bakery, and Sheffield Farms buildings stand on part of the grounds of the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The Life Savers Candy Parachute Jump. Adults paid 40 cents a trip; children paid 25 cents. After the fair, the ride was moved to Coney Island, where it operated on and off until the 1960s. Now closed, the supporting structure still stands there today

The Electric Utilities Pavilion. Electrification was a major theme throughout the fair.

A row of statues leads to the Perisphere and Trylon.

A large crowd in front of the General Motors Pavilion.

Wonder Bread Bakery displays a wheat field exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair. The "scarecrow of tomorrow," Penelope Shoo, is wearing an outfit designed by Hattie Carnegie. The wheat field was billed as "the first planted in New York City since 1875."

An aerial view of the fair shows the music hall advertising Hot Mikado with Bill Robinson.

Visitors watch a working oil derrick at the petroleum exhibit.

Two women pose on a Kodak posing stand during the 1939 New York World's Fair.

A statue decorates the entrance to the Maritime Transport and Commerce Pavilion.

The General Motors Pavilion, with its Highways and Horizons exhibit.

General Motors displays a transparent car in its pavilion. The four-door Pontiac Deluxe Six is clad in Plexiglas.

A display in the Glass Incorporated Pavilion.

Part of the Aquacade Floor Show at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

Ford car parts displayed inside its pavilion.

The Tomas Bata exhibit in the Czechoslovakian Pavilion. Bata was a Czech industrialist who founded a large shoe factory.

A model of New York as the "City of Light" in the Consolidated Edison Pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

A detail of the "Futurama" model in the General Motors Pavilion. The exhibit was designed by Norman Bel Geddes.

A stuffed moose in the Canadian Pavilion.

The Atlantic recently dug up this great collection of vintage photographs showing the 1939 New York World's Fair completely in color, captured by photographer Peter Campbell.

The famous theme of the 1939 New York World's Fair was "The World of Tomorrow.” One part of that world, another theme showcased throughout the fair, was “electrification”— the growing use of electricity to light and power not only factories and businesses, but also homes and public spaces. Photographer Peter Campbell captured many scenes from the fair in full color, both during the day and at night—when bright and colorful lighting washed over the pavilions, fountains, and sculptures throughout the fairgrounds.

via The Atlantic

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Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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