1934 A Century of Progress (Panoramic View of Chicago World's Fair)
DESCRIPTION
This striking chromolithograph panorama captures the Century of Progress International Exposition held in Chicago in 1934, a world’s fair celebrating science, industry, and modern design along the shore of Lake Michigan. Created by A.C. Schultz Litho Co. and issued by Panorama Sales Syndicate, the sweeping bird’s-eye view presents the fairgrounds in vivid color, emphasizing the futuristic architecture and monumental scale of the exposition. Airships and airplanes hover above the site, showcasing the technological advancement of aviation, while the fairgrounds themselves are a dense collection of pavilions, exhibition halls, and international villages.
The Layout of the Chicago Century of Progress Fairgrounds
Stretching across the lakefront, the panorama presents the grand towers and aerial Sky Ride that framed the grounds, as well as the Hall of Science, Hall of Religion, Electrical Group, and other thematic buildings clustered near lagoons and waterways. Major corporations such as Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors are represented in impressive exhibition halls, while cultural and international sections include the Belgian Village, Italian Village, Old Heidelberg, Tunisian Village, and more, each carefully labeled across the image. Midway attractions such as Hollywood, the Casino, and the Mexican Village reflect the fair’s blend of spectacle and entertainment.
Cultural and Historical Significance of the Panorama
More than just an artistic souvenir, this view embodies the optimism of the interwar years, presenting Chicago as a hub of progress and modernity during the depths of the Great Depression. The Century of Progress Exposition was designed to inspire confidence in science, industry, and innovation as solutions to contemporary challenges. This panoramic rendering not only preserves the memory of the fair’s layout and architecture but also captures the spirit of technological ambition and international cooperation that defined the exposition.
CONDITION
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