We've seen a number of maps that were part of various displays at different pavilions, but here we see a potentially more useful map. World's Fairs are usually big, chaotic, and confusing. Happily guests to the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair, aka the Louisiana World Exposition, could find their way around the place using these giant color-coded maps which were located near the entrances and at other strategic points. This particular map was on the International Riverfront. That's the Sky Transpo system just behind it.

Like the Moscow map from Expo 67, I wonder if any of these have survived.

Maps, maps, maps - Part 5

Here's one of the most unusual, and most beautiful, maps I have found at a world's fair. This map of Moscow hung in the window area of the USSR Pavilion at Expo 67. What made it so unusual was that it was all done in stained glass, an art medium I generally don't think of as Russian, at least in connection to the Cold War years. The map was really something to see, as it was very large, and with the wide windows behind it it really showed up well.

After Expo 67 ended the building was moved to Moscow. I wonder if the map made it there as well.

Maps, maps, maps - Part 4

One more map from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair before we move on. This one was at the Canada Pavilion, and it featured colored lights representing growth projections for the population and industries in the country's major cities. That fit in well with the overall purpose of the pavilion - and the fair itself, in fact - in hoping to attract new business and economic growth., So, while not a particularly exciting map, nor easy to understand without the taed narration that explained the lights, it's still a vital part of world's fair history.

Maps, maps, maps - Part 3

Let's take a closer look at that map at the Pavilion of Electric Power at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. This section of the model is of the Seattle area, with all sorts of power plants spread across it. Taped narration explained the vast power grid and how important it was to the people of the state. Lights flickered in the tubes connecting the power plants and the cities, bringing a sense of movement to the display. The narration prompted visitors to vote on any new laws or bond measures to keep the system alive and growing.

Maps, maps, maps - Part 2

The 1962 Seattle World's Fair also featured a giant relief map. This one was part of the Pavilion of Electric Power, seen here. Visitors could look down from a curving walkway for views of the power system of the State of Washington, including projections for future growth to meet the needs of the growing state. While most of the facilities were hydro-electric plants, there was the forecast of nuclear plants as part of a marketing plan to help sell the technology to those who might be voting on it.

Maps, maps, maps - Part 1

A world's fair is certainly guaranteed to put the host city on the map. For some fairs that wasn't enough, though - they made maps a part of the show. One of the largest examples is seen here in this view from Expo 58. This giant relief map of the host country, Belgium, showed the location of major cities, industries, and landmarks. It was built at a scale of 1:3500 and was part of the Civil Engineering Pavilion.

Thanks to the brains behind Photoshop

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End of class.