Century of Progress Exposition

E-MAIL MEMORIES

Please e-mail me if you have memories of the fair that you would like to share. Send mail by clicking here.

In 1933, James Weber Linn wrote in his introduction to "The Official Pictures of A Century of Progress Exposition":

For forty years men and women have spoken wistfully from warm memories, of the "time when they were at the World's Fair". For how many years will the present and the coming generation speak with equal eagerness of the time when they were at A Century of Progress?

It is now seventy years after A Century of Progress, and people are still talking about it.The generation that actually was there is still reminiscing, and their children and grandchildren are trying to learn more about the fair.

Subj: Barn
Date: 12/29/2003
From: electric44@charter.net

I bought a farm last year and with the place there is a beautiful old barn. It had a cedar shake roof and it was made of red wood. The story I got with it is: This barn was built by Jamesway of Ft. Atkinson, WI. for a display and when the fair was over, they brought it back to Ft. Atkinson by rail and set it up where it stands today.

The roof was all but gone and I put a new roof on this year but so far I haven't been able to find anyone to substantiate this story.

If you know any thing about this or know someone that might have info on this, please let me know.

Subj: Art at the 1934 Worlds Fair
Date: 9/26/2003
From: Ole Johns

I have a set of pastels that I got from my mother.The set is 2 panels of flowers approx. 3 x 3 feet each; only the one panel is signed. I was told they hung in the House of Tomorrow expo. The signature is something like this:
Leo Joalkey ?? a long what looks like a Cursev L and a Long cursev J any information ??

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 9/5/2003
From: ron.mele@theartdepartment.us

It would be nice to see the postcards get bigger so you can visually see them better (you know when you double click on them and they go full screen). Overall I thought it was pretty interesting. I especially like seeing the souvenir section. I just found a blue enamel ashtray from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair with a hand drawn rendition of the infamous Skyride.

It was pretty cool to hold the ashtray in my hand and look on screen and see two others just the same. This thing is 70 years old.

Subj: world's fair fire dept.
Date: 7/31/2003
From: keiths@miamidade.gov

My Grandfather was one of two lieutenants who worked on the fair fire dept. A complete fire dept was put in service to protect the visitors of the fair. Approximately 45 men were used to staff the fairs three stations.

Subj: A farmboy goes to Century of Progress
Date: 7/2/2003
From: mikaln@indy.rr.com /p>

My father used to tell us about his trip to the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. He was born and raised in Cannelburg, a small farming and coal-mining community in Southern Indiana. He spent the summer of 1933 when he was 19 cutting wood with a friend to make enough money to go to the fair. They didn't use a chainsaw, but used a two-man hand saw instead. (He gave the saw to me as a Christmas present in the 1970s, and it hangs in my office.)

He earned enough money, and took a train to Chicago. He stayed in Gary,
presumably because a hotel room there cost less. His most memorable
experience seems to have been seeing Sally Rand do her fan dance. After he
died I found a little book where he had written some impressions. One is
particularly sweet: "People are funny. Some object to fan dancers. Others
object to the fan."

Subj: 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair pin ball machine
Date: 6/24/2003
From: dmaisch@emfacts.com

I have recently found a pin ball machine from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. I am seeking any information on the machine if anyone has anything. Its a "Jig Saw" machine and a metal painted jig saw picture of the Chicago World's Fair is the scoring part. When you insert a penny in the machine, the fair scene appears and as one shoots the steel balls into various holes, marked as various fair buildings a section of the scene flips over to reveal a scoring number.

Subj: McKaycraft Chrome Furniture
Date: 5/28/2003
From: aconstal@nycap.rr.com

I'm interested in knowing the name of the designer of the McKaycraft chrome furniture that was on display at the 1933 World's Fair at the Hall of Science Century of Progress. Any help would be appreciated.

Subj: from B Hayes-TV
Date: 3/31/2003
From: shm@ctol.net

I certainly appreciate the links about early television and UA Sanabria. My father's name was mentioned in one of the e-mail letters from another man who had worked with UA. And the letter made such sense out of the few pictures I have of photo electric cells called television. I am attaching a photo of what I believe was the television exibited at the Century of Progress. Thank you so much.

NOTE : 1/1/04

I have been working on revising my web site and a couple of days ago I discovered something about the TV exhibit in a handbook of the 1934 Hall of Science exhibits that I have. It describes "The Principle of Television," and at the end it says "Exhibit constructed by M. L. Hayes."

This is the first paragraph of the description:

"In this exhibit is included a television transmitter and receiver specially designed in order to demonstrate the operations step by step. As the exhibit runs through its cycle, a series of lantern slides are projected to explain each operation."

Subj: thank you
Date: 3/29/2003
From: shm@ctol.net

Thankyou for this web site. I was born in Oak Park and have lived on the east coast since I was 20. It's hard for me to get information about this fair.

My father and Dr. Lee DeForest had the first commercial showing of television at the Television Hudson Essex Display in the Electric Building at the Century of Progress Fair.

I'm trying to find out more about this. If you could point me in any direction I'd appreciate it

Subj: Miss America Show
Date: 3/16/2003
From: mblack@iowatelecom.net

My great uncle Herbert R. Lewis said he "conceived and managed the Miss America show at the 1933 Century of Progress".

I didn't see anything about the show in my initial look at your information. Can you tell me anything about this Miss America show?

Subj: Memories
Date: 2/26/2003
From: dun7925@westerncom.net

My father was Structural Ironworker, fortunate enough to have a job building the Sky Ride. This was mid-Depression and ironworkers were lined up waiting for some one to fall, to get their job. I was 8 years old and visited the Fair on one occasion, which was all the family budget allowed, but the Fair was amazing. I appreciate the site now that I'm 78 and have vague memories of some of the exhibits you have displayed.

Subj: homes from 1933 Worlds Fair
Date: 1/14/2003
From: tonylape@shelbyproperties.com

I am a real estate agent in IL and have recently had two clients that have
bought houses that were based on home designs from the worlds fair in
Chicago. If you would know of a place I could find the plans for homes from
that fair I would appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Subj: Chicago World's Fair Marionette Piano
Date: 12/2/2002
From: knv1@attbi.com

As the story goes in our family, my grandparents purchased a piano from the Chicago World's Fair. They lived in Chicago at the time. The piano only has seven octaves and it is a baby grand electric player piano. Supposedly only 10 were made for the fair. My great aunt bought one also. The name on the piano is Marionette. I thought that there were only 10 made but I saw one recently that looked exactly like our Marionette except that wasn't the name on it. It was a baby grand and an electric player piano with only seven octaves. Does any one have any history on these pianos? Are they that rare or were more made after the Fair using a different name? Thanks

Subj: Chicago Fair
Date: 11/30/2002
From: MontyIN

I was about 8 years old when I attended the fair. I have a large box of souvenirs that I sort thru several times a year to bring back the memories. I have one of the miniature Greyhound tour bus that we rode around the grounds.

My father went back to the fair the next year and I asked him to bring me a hamburger. It was the first time we had seen a frozen hamburger cooked.

Your pictures bring back a lot of memories.

Subj: Century of Progress
Date: 11/22/2002
From: Jmcahill121

My father was a guide and I am interested in obtaining more information on it. I have many of his photos, Guide's book, etc. and wondered if there are any books on the subject or groups maintaining the memories.

Subj: a century of progress
Date: 11/20/2002
From: mc70dc@gbronline.com

While going thru some cabinets in a house we had bought, I found a ticket for the International Exposition Chicago. Its price was $.25 and it was dated 1933. On the back of the ticket is somebody's signature much like an autograph the owner of the ticket had gotten while at the fair. The name on the back is as far as I can tell Hugo Gibbons. Is that some celebrity of that period or do you have any idea? Anyway I looked at your web site to find out a llittle of the history behind the ticket. Thanks ..

Subj: your webpage is wonderful...thank you...my parents were at the Fair...
Date: 10/30/2002
From: DiArcangel

My parents walked away from their trip to the fair with an astonishing story about the boardwalk. Have you heard stories about the "Fortune Tellers" that lined the boardwalk?

Subj: waomalley@msn.com
Date: 10/17/2002
From: waomalley@msn.com

My mother Mildred Dreffein O'Malley worked at the 1933-34 World's Fair in Chicago as a ticket agent. While alive, she told me stories about the actors she had seen. Reese Williams is a name that comes to mind. I have her employee scrapbook with many autographs of her co workers. A group picture of 64 ticket agents can be seen in my book "History Of A Family Bible, 1685-2000: A Quest for the Missing Link."
William Arnold O'Malley, Naperville, IL

Subj: chicago worlds fair 1933
Date: 10/1/2002
From: nlc@duda.com

I own a vintage gas stove that says "Universal Century Edition 1933 Worlds Fair" on a plaque on the front - it is light tan and black - any idea if this was actually used at the Fair - or was it a commemorative stove with more than one made?

Thanks for any information that anyone may have about this stove.

Subj: souvenirs
Date: 9/8/2002 9:59:06 PM Central Daylight Time
From: richij@havilandtelco.com (richiandlori)

I have a souvenir from the 1934 Chiacgo Hungarian Pavilion. It is a tiny hand carved apple that opens up and inside is a miniature tea set it is all carved and painted. Would you have any information on this item for me? I had gotten it from my dad after my mom passed away. She had gotten it at an auction which I believe she only payed a dollar for it. What was funny about this apple is after my mom had bought it she didn't realize it had opened up until 3 or 4 years after she had bought it. Thanks alot.

Subj: The Sky Ride
Date: 8/30/2002
From: DNarsh

Thanks for your awakening early memories of my trip to the Fair with my Mom. She took my on the Sky Ride and I imagine her fear transported itself to me as well. I was born in December 1928 and I recall we both were terrified when our car passed over some connecting units on the ride and caused a bump as we passed over them.

I seem to recall a "talking dog" (maybe the RCA "his master's voice" image) that really talked to me and asked questions and I answered them. Obviously a two way hidden voice mike and I never forgot the experiance.

Subj: My folks were married at and honeymooned at the fair
Date: 8/8/2002
From: sweirich@cn-bank.com

When and where did Sally Rand perform? They were married on August 5th, but I cannot remember the year 33 OR 34. Recent immigrant form Sweden, they were wow'd by Sally. What year would that have been?

Subj: Thank you
Date: 7/4/2002
From: lshobbs@netburg.net

Thank you for your wonderful Chicago World's Fair pages. I am fascinated. My parents went in 1933 from their home in Galesburg. It was such a memorable event for them, we have been regaled with stories of it all our lives. We have several very neat portraits of my parents and my childhood neighbors done by artists at the fair. I suspect these were WPA artists. I also have an acrylic lapel pin made with a molding machine which my father always said was a demo for an early plastic injection molding machine made by a Cincinnati company.

Your site brings some of these old stories to life. Thank you!

Subj: Gene Kelly at the Chicago World's Fair
Date: 6/23/2002
From: PWardInc

My late husband, the dancer/director Gene Kelly performed on the "Enchanted Isle" at the Chicago World's Fair in the summer of 1933. They appeared under the names "Gene and Fred Kay" and did a tap routine and a number on roller skates. I was hoping you or someone connected to you might have some information about this or some recollection.

Thank you.

Subj: 1933 Century of Progress Question
Date: 6/28/2002
From: NormK12065

I just found your web site and maybe you can give me some guidance. I was told many years ago that my mother took 2nd place in a beauty pageant associated with the 1933 fair. Short of looking at every daily newspaper during that period would you have any suggestions on how I might research this?

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 5/11/2002
From: dmappel@ameritech.net

My husband's grandmother (mother by adoption) worked as a show girl in the Neptune follies and has some great pictures. What prompted me to write was that soon after the fair, she married a George Appel who was a resident of Chicago as was she. Just wondering if there might be a connection between your father and George.

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 5/8/2002
From: Pacabob

My parents owned the Allied Home Industries shop somewhere in the Fair. I was born in September, 1933 at Michael Reese Hospital and we lived at 5050 Sheridan Rd. I'm trying to get more information about their concession. Can you help me?

Subj: Johns-Manville exhibit at the 1933-34 Century of Progress
Date: 4/22/2002
From: Joneswillyjo

My brother and I have inherited a building here in North Carolina from our late father. I am trying to research the buliding based on what our father had told us in years past, that our building was part of the exhibit in Chicago, was disassembled, stored, sold, and re-assembled here in 1936. Any ideas???

Subj: Good site
Date: 3/31/2002
From: TheOneTrueKid

My 88-year-old grandmother participated in the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, IL. I was wondering if you could locate some pictures of the Ukrainian dancers that dances in Chicago. I know my grandma would really like to see them. Please e-mail any that you may have/find. I have honestly looked everywhere for these pictures and have yet to see some photos of any of these Ukrainian dancers in costume. Oh well. It also seems like you have had some relative connections to the fair, as well. Anyways, always keep this site up, because it is a part of everyone's history, especially Chicago's.

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 3/28/2002 3:11:18 PM Central Standard Time
From: MoonRiver1949

Just finished viewing your website on the fair. My reason for visiting was to see more about the Fair itself. My father was born and raised in Chicago and attended the Fair at age 10 with his sisters and mother. I am sending you a scanned photo of a plaque which was handed down to me by my father. He obtained it at the fair. I have always been fascinated by it. Hope you enjoy looking at it. It measures about 4" x 6" and has a raised surface. Thanks for the memories!

Subj: Chicago Fair
Date: 3/28/2002
From: GRAMILES60

I must have been around 4 years old and really don't remember much but I do remember a big huge red wagon! and I had a small one from that exibit for years.

Subj: German Black Forest Village
Date: 3/25/2002
From: Mahogan07

I recently found an old postcard of my fathers. It is titled Meier's Wonderful Clock. On the back of the card it says some relative of mine made this clock. It was 14 ft. high, 7ft. wide and weighed 2,500 lbs. I just was wondering if you knew how I could find out more about it?

Subj: Worlds Fair item
Date: 3/4/2002
From: Betty@oldhankies.com

I have some silk hankies that have Japan 1933. I think they must be commemorative of the Worlds Fair. What do you think? They are very pretty.

If you love old hankies, quilting, collecting vintage fabrics and notions, and love old estate finds visit www.OldHankies.com

Subj: 1933 Chicago World's Fair
Date: 2/26/2002
From: SoParkAve

My father, Harold Lee, a graduate of Elgin Watchmaker's College, entered a custom pocketwatch in the fair and received an honorable mention. Can you suggest where I might look to find any information and/or photos regarding this?

Subj: My grandma played at the fair!
Date: 12/30/2001
From: JElmore605

I was wondering how I can get a program copy for my 85 yr. old grandma who played piano at the 1933 fair. She doesn't remember for sure, but she thinks it was under the Chicago Symphony Orchestra "Up and coming stars", or "Young stars of America," or something of that nature. She was born in 1916 so she would have been about 17. Her name is Margaret and her maiden name was Langos.

Subj: Panoramic of the Century of ProgressExposition...Chicago, IL 1933
Date: 11/21/2001
From: Connie.Battin@IFLYATA.COM

I was interested in telling you about a picture I have that belongs to my mother. This panoramic photo is of the Century of Progress Exposition. History tells me there are only (3) three originals. This is an original. I was also wondering if there was a copy of it at the Chicago museum? There are explicit details showing where different sitings are. I really would like to know as much about this picture as possible.

Subj: 1933-34 World's Fair
Date: 7/31/01
From: Oldhildebrand

I was searching your site in hopes of gaining some information about the artist who won 1st prize for his work which became the official poster for 1934. The artists's name is A. Raymond Katz; he was one of ten artists to paint murals in the religious exhibit at Century of Progress Exposition and listed in Who's Who in American Artists. I would welcome any information I can obtain on him.

My grandparents lived in Elmhurst, Illinois and there was a mural painted on the arched ceiling of a 3rd floor dormer in their home that was done by the same artist. The mural depicted 3 plump female angels; a blond, a brunette and a red head clad only in strategiclly placed strips of gauze-like material.

Subj: Re: Pantheon de la Guerre
Date: 7/15/01
From: donovan@kcstar.com

The Liberty Memorial is the national monument to World War I, and it is here in Kansas City. One of the buildings in the memorial houses what is left of the Pantheon de la Guerre. Artist Daniel MacMorris cut the huge canvas down considerably and painted over the seams to make the painting fit in a much smaller area. It's a fascinating story, and I'll be happy to share the full chapter on it when my book is published.

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 7/28/01
From: benchmura@yahoo.com

I am writing in response to your Chicago World Fair web-site.You've given me hope with a project of mine.

Every year, my Mother's side of the family has a "make-it-gift" approach to Christmas. This year, I have my grandfather's name. I decided to compile a booklet/package highlighting his best memories. When he was a fifteen-year-old paperboy in Cleveland, he won a trip to the 1932 Chicago World's Fair for being the top sales-generating carrier. Now, at age 84, he still talks about his prize trip.

Subj: A Century of Progress
Date: 7/9/01
From: sheron.quigley@worldnet.att.net

My dad, Jim McQueeny (who died in 1986), also worked at the Fair. And just recently I was doing some genealogical research and came upon an obituary for my great uncle, Johnny McQueeny, which said that he sang for the opening of the Fair.

When I find little items like that, I think "WHY didn't I ask Daddy more about this when I had the chance!" I remember his talking about Sally Rand and the fans, and about Col. Jack Riley, but I don't have many specifics. I don't even know if he worked for the Fair itself or for one of the exhibitors.

Now that I am retired, I hope to go back to the newspapers of the time and find out more about that glorious event. If you have any suggestions, I would welcome them. And thanks for putting out those web pages so we can all enjoy them!

Subj: Chicago Fair
Date: 7/5/01
From: deb@brandopolis.com

My grandparents met at the World's Fair. They were both exhibition swimmers. My grandmother (family legend has it) dressed as a mermaid and my grandfather dressed as a clown. My grandmother actually passed away just yesterday, and I was looking through various world's fair web sites, imagining what it must have been like for her to be in such an exciting place when she was still so young. I'm still hoping that I'll get lucky and run across a picture of them. Her name is Ethel and my grandpa is Gene Keltner. I guess they also used to swim at the fair with the actor who originally played Flash Gordon.

Subj: Your Chicago Worlds Fair Page
Date: 6/9/01
From: Gimont

I found it most interesting. As a youngster, probably 10 - 12 years of age, I attended the Fair with my parents from Missouri and my aunt and Uncle who lived in Chicago at the time. We travelled to and from the fair by train. I can recall being there the day Italian General Balbo arrived with his flight of 24 Italian sea planes, I believe direct from Rome. It was quite an impressive event. I am trying to determine the date of the flight's arrival at the fair. Are you aware of any available source from which such information might be obtained?

Subj: century of progress exposition at chicago 1933-34
Date: 4/24/01
From: MARYED NAPER

My mom and a group of her friends played on a Catholic Youth Organization (cyo) softball team and were asked to play at the above expo. My mom had her picture taken with Sally Rand, the fan dancer, who performed at the expo. I would love to find a picture of the ball teams that played there, and wouldn't it be wonderful to find that picture of my mom and Sally Rand! Have you any ideas where I could look for specific pictures of this type?

Subj: Thanks for the site
Date: 2/11/01
From: HHeusner

I am a 70 year old whose parents brought him to the 33 or 34 Fair from nearby Frankfort, IL. I still have images from this experience including such things as the rubber plantation, Ford Rotunda, sky ride, etc... Your website brought back moments of nostalgia for me. Thanks.

Subj: Chicago World's Fair
Date: 1/1/01
From: JohnNCox@msn.com

For my father's 80th birthday, I wrote down every tall tale and family story I every heard him, his father, his brother, and his uncles tell when I was growing up. One of those stories was about the trip they made from North Carolina to the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. If you would like a copy of this story, let me know.

Subj: Skyride
Date: 12/15/00
From: Andersoninlb

The skyride was what I remember most about the Chicago fair. The trip between the towers seemed long to me and punctuated with a series of bumps that made riders nervous.The Greyhound Co. ran the tram service and this made getting around easier.I have good memories of the fair and its exhibits. Yours is a great web site.

Subj: 1934 Fair
Date: 4/5/00 4:22:34 PM Central Daylight Time
From: hschulze@home.com

Is there a map available of the 1934 version of the fair? That is the one I remember. I was 4 years old, and spent many happy days there with my family. It was the depression, and we had free passes.

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