70 Years Later

Yesterday saw the opening of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's exhibit, A Century of Progress: Architecture and Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair, on view until November 21. "Architectural renderings, souvenirs, and never-before-seen photographs recall" the typically overlooked of the two Chicago Fairs, the 1893 Columbian Exposition taking precedence in people's minds and history books.

From the press release:

Even though the city?s economy suffered during the Great Depression, Chicago?s leaders decided to celebrate the city?s centennial year by building a colossal World?s Fair to be designed by some of the country?s most prominent architects. The exposition highlighted the scientific, industrial and technological advances that had occurred during the last hundred years, including many avant-garde ideas in architectural design. This exhibition, presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District, looks at the Century of Progress?s historical legacy and shows how the design innovations it presented played a major role in popularizing modern design in Chicago.