World's Fair & Science Fiction

The 1939 New York World's Fair (hence abbreviated NYWF) provided both entertainment and inspiration to its visitors. In addition to that, the NYWF provided a large amount of optimism about the future to those who had just survived the Great Depression. Arguably, the optimism found in the NYWF stems from the hope that carried many through the Great Depression. I think a lot of this optimism can also be found in science fiction. I mean, yes, there are many distopian novels written about the future, but overall, especially pre-WWII, I think many wanted to be optimistic about their future considering the strife experienced in the Great Depression.

The influence of science fiction can be seen in many aspects of the NYWF. First, the architecture of the buildings gives off the distinct "science fiction-y" vibe that we've come to expect in science fiction shows. One does not connect science fiction with cottages or suburban ranch houses (though maybe barns, depending upon the science fiction) and that sleek, streamlined look we've all come to appreciate as "modern" and "futuristic" is the root of science fiction's credibility. Even Disney has incorporated it in Epcot. The focus on modern architecture and planning both in the buildings themselves and the models they contained were influenced highly by the works of science fiction.

Second, the NYWF was decidedly imprecise in its predictions. While no one can accurately predict what the future will be like, the ideas to completely rebuilt cities from the ground up was ridiculous. It is impossible to move the entire population of a city out to a new city just because you designed it better. Building more efficient cities and towns does not eliminate poverty or homelessness or pollution or other things which "plague" city dwellers. I think that the idea that these can be eliminated by simply building better cities is preposterous.

On a more personal note, I wish we would bring back the World's Fair. It looks like fun.