World's Fair Photographs Series
Ford Motor Company was a leading exhibitor in world fairs and other expositions held in America between 1934 and the early 1960s. This collection, consisting of 8x10 black and white photographic prints, documents various aspects of Ford's involvement including buildings, exhibits, displays, employees, celebrities and special events.
Biographical / Historical Note
Ford Motor Company began displaying its products at non-automotive exhibitions as early as 1904, becoming a leading exhibitor in world's fairs and other events by the mid 1930s and into the 1960s. In 1915, Ford Motor Company demonstrated the mass assembly...
MoreFord Motor Company began displaying its products at non-automotive exhibitions as early as 1904, becoming a leading exhibitor in world's fairs and other events by the mid 1930s and into the 1960s. In 1915, Ford Motor Company demonstrated the mass assembly of automobiles at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, California. In 1933, Henry Ford boycotted the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago and instead held his own exhibition in Detroit and New York called the Ford Exposition of Progress.
Due to the success of 1933 exhibits, Ford joined the Century of Progress International Exposition in 1934. Ford Motor Company hired Albert Kahn to design a building to house exhibits. The building, a circular pavilion which was later called the Ford Rotunda, resembled graduated internally meshed gears standing twelve stories high. Exhibits in that year included a soybean processing display, a collection of new and historic Ford vehicles, an exhibit on the conversion of raw materials into finished parts, an industrialized barn, replicas of nineteen famous highways, and exhibits from twenty-one Ford Motor Company suppliers. A similar large circular building erected in 1935 in San Diego for the California Pacific International Exposition was donated to the city of San Diego after the fair.
For the 1939 New York World's Fair of Tomorrow, designers anticipating elevated roads developed an exposition building that featured a "road of tomorrow." Visitors were driven down a spiral ramp in brightly painted Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln-Zephyr automobiles.
In 1964-1965, New York was again the site for a world's fair with the theme "Peace Through Understanding." Ford Motor Company hired Welton Becket and Associates to build the Ford Pavilion, a rotunda building reminiscent of the original 1933 Ford Rotunda. Walt Disney's design firm, WED Enterprises, was also hired to create a Magic Skyway where visitors boarded convertibles for a twelve minute ride through time featuring life sized audio-animatronic figures. Other exhibits highlighted the international scope of the company.
LessScope and Content Note
There are four subseries in the World's Fair photographs series. Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois subseries, 1933-1934 (1.2 cubic ft.) is comprised of images numbered from 1 to 310. There are also several folders...
MoreThere are four subseries in the World's Fair photographs series. Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois subseries, 1933-1934 (1.2 cubic ft.) is comprised of images numbered from 1 to 310. There are also several folders arranged alphabetically, primarily documenting exhibits. The California Pacific International Exposition subseries, 1935 (1.2 cubic ft.) is arranged numerically, 2 to 671. Dallas Centennial Central Exposition subseries, 1936-1937 (1.6 cubic ft.) is also arranged numerically, 1 to 816. The New York World Fairs subseries contains material for both the 1939-1940 fair in New York and the 1964-1965 fair. The 1939-1940 New York World's Fair subsubseries, 1939-1940 (10.4 cubic ft.) is the largest and includes images both topically and numerically arranged. A numerical run begins with 1 and ends at 3,463 (with a few gaps). Among the topics are typical American families, exhibit details, Ford Motor Company employees and dealers, Ford Day, good driver's awards, visiting celebrities, and special events. There is also an index to the images in this subseries. The final subsubseries, 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, 1960-1964 (0.8 cubic ft.) is comprised wholly of photographs gathered together to create a mural entitled "Decades of Progress" for the 1964-1965 New York fair. The mural depicted the evolution of the Ford Motor Company from its inception into the 1960s. All items are black and white photographic prints, 8 x 10 inches in size.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 64.167.232.0
Creator: Ford Motor Company. Photographic Department
Inclusive Dates: 1933-1964
Bulk Dates: 1933-1940
Size: 15.2 cubic ft.
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit
Access Restrictions: The series is open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
"Road of Tomorrow," Ford Exposition Building, New York World's Fair, 1939
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Ford Motor Company was a major participant in the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. In addition to viewing educational demonstrations and exhibits, Ford exposition visitors could ride in brand-new Ford automobiles along the Road of Tomorrow. Befitting the fair's "Building the World of Tomorrow" theme, this conceptual highway experience suggested modern techniques for safer, quieter, and more efficient roadways.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, New York, New York, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Object ID
64.167.232.1792
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
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"Road of Tomorrow," Ford Exposition Building, New York World's Fair, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Baroness Alice Stael von Holstein in 1940 Lincoln Zephyr at New York World's Fair, 1940
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1940
Summary
Swedish baroness Alice Stael von Holstein sits behind the wheel of a 1940 Lincoln-Zephyr Continental Cabriolet in the Garden Court of Ford Motor Company's exposition building at the New York World's Fair. The visiting baroness, who belonged to the Royal Auto Club of Sweden and had driven through most of Europe, was considered Sweden's leading female driver.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, New York, New York
Object ID
64.167.232.12
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Baroness Alice Stael von Holstein in 1940 Lincoln Zephyr at New York World's Fair, 1940
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Group of Men and Women at the Ford Day Ceremonies, New York World's Fair, 1939
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
16 June 1939
Summary
The 1939-40 New York World's Fair encouraged a depression-weary public that the future would be rosy. The fair also provided the opportunity for companies across the country to advertise to millions of people. Here, fairgoers pose during Ford Day--a celebration of Ford Motor Company, a major exhibitor at the New York City exposition.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
64.167.232.19
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Group of Men and Women at the Ford Day Ceremonies, New York World's Fair, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Henry and Edsel Ford with the 27 Millionth Ford Car, Ford Day Ceremonies, New York World's Fair, 1939
Details
Henry and Edsel Ford with the 27 Millionth Ford Car, Ford Day Ceremonies, New York World's Fair, 1939
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
16 June 1939
Summary
On February 15, 1939, the twenty-seven millionth Ford automobile rolled off a Richmond, California, assembly line. The green DeLuxe Tudor embarked on a promotional tour from San Francisco to New York City and back -- an 8,854-mile circuit. During this transcontinental journey, the famous sedan -- and a visit from Henry and Edsel Ford -- drew crowds at the New York World's Fair.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
64.167.232.20
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Henry and Edsel Ford with the 27 Millionth Ford Car, Ford Day Ceremonies, New York World's Fair, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
The 27-Millionth Ford Car in Front of Ford Motor Company, New York City, 1939
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1939
Summary
On February 15, 1939, the twenty-seven millionth Ford automobile rolled off a Richmond, California, assembly line. The green DeLuxe Tudor embarked on a promotional tour from San Francisco to New York City and back -- an 8,854-mile circuit. This welcome reception at the Ford Motor Company Building in New York included dignitaries Henry Ford and Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
64.167.232.15
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
The 27-Millionth Ford Car in Front of Ford Motor Company, New York City, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Lincoln Zephyr Prototype, Ford Exhibition Building, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
Details
Lincoln Zephyr Prototype, Ford Exhibition Building, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Chicago's 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition used the theme of progress to encourage optimism during the depression. The Ford Exhibition Building, which sat on eleven acres at the fair and featured industrial demonstrations and informative displays like this, became the most talked-about exhibit of 1934.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, Illinois, Chicago, Burnham Park
van Starkenberg, Joop "Jan" Tjaarda, 1897-1962
Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.)
Object ID
64.167.232.1791
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Lincoln Zephyr Prototype, Ford Exhibition Building, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Gilmore Oil Company Neon Sign in Front of Casey's Master Service Station, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Details
Gilmore Oil Company Neon Sign in Front of Casey's Master Service Station, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Ford Motor Company's corporate presence at the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition permeated the San Diego fairgrounds. In one parking lot, an enterprising local Ford dealer opened "Casey's Master Service Station." This modern exhibit was also a functioning station, servicing automobiles while their owners explored the fair. Casey's and other Exposition attractions heightened Ford's visibility and provided bonus advertising.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, California, San Diego
Casey Ford (Automobile dealer)
California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.)
Object ID
64.167.232.176
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Gilmore Oil Company Neon Sign in Front of Casey's Master Service Station, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
The Central Courtyard, from inside the Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Details
The Central Courtyard, from inside the Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Ford Motor Company poured resources into the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego, constructing the fair's largest and most popular exhibition. Ford's massive Exposition building enclosed an open-air courtyard with a V-8 emblem-shaped fountain. In this central area, fairgoers could rest, take in pleasant landscaping or automotive displays, and enjoy musical performances.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, California, San Diego, Balboa Park
California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.)
Object ID
64.167.232.194
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
The Central Courtyard, from inside the Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Casting Equipment in the Ford Exhibit, Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Details
Casting Equipment in the Ford Exhibit, Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Through the 1930s, Ford Motor Company poured resources into exhibitions at regional and world's fairs. Henry Ford believed strongly in the educational value of such displays, and a corporate presence at the fairs benefitted public relations. Ford's popular exhibits and demonstrations -- pictured here in the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition Ford Building -- generated lots of publicity.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, California, San Diego, Balboa Park
California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.)
Object ID
64.167.232.198
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Casting Equipment in the Ford Exhibit, Ford Building, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
