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BELL SYSTEM |
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BELL SYSTEM |
Man's speediest communication was once by drumbeat and smoke signal. Now he sends messages around the world by bouncing them off satellites in space. The story of this breathtaking advance in communications is told visually in a 15-minute armchair ride in the giant "floating wing" that compromises the upper story of this pavilion. In a lower level, an exhibit hall is devoted to the technology of modern communications and its history of continuous development. The wing itself, 400 feet long, is covered with lightweight Fiberglas and rests on just four pylons. Next to it rises on of the tallest structures at the Fair, a 140-foot microwave tower through which TV shows originating at the Fair are transmitted. Windows at the base of the tower look in on the control equipment and the engineers and monitors on duty.
| The Bell System Pavilion had a very prominent location at the Fair. In this view from the Swiss Sky Ride, the Bell System is seen across the Main Mall, with its Fountains of the Fairs, and behind the Fountain of the Planets. (CD14 Set 72 #11) |
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| The sheer size of the pavilion can be appreciated in this view, especially when the size of the people is used as a comparison. The cantilevered construction used to achieve the floating effect was quite advanced for its time. (CD20 Set 105 #4) |
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| A bygone symbol of a bygone era - the logo of the once mighty Bell System. RIP, Ma Bell. (CD31 Set 160 #7) |
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| Seated in the moving armchairs, these visitors are off to enjoy the show "From Drumbeat to Telstar". It looks like some are finding it more enjoyable than others. (CD15 Set 74 #6) |
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| The lower level of the building hosted a variety of exhibits showing off the latest advances of the Bell System engineers and scientists. This was the Picturephone exhibit, where guests could see other callers in the pavilion or at far-off Disneyland. Predictions that one of these would be in every house and business fell far short, and even today, video telephones have yet to become commonplace. (CD30 Bell System #2) |
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| This view of the pavilion being demolished in 1966 shows some of the massive steelwork needed to support the structure. (CD39 Set 192 #71A) |
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