GENERAL ELECTRIC

Under a huge, gleaming dome suspended from spiraling pipes, the GE exhibit, called "Progressland," depicts the history of electricity, from its beginnings to the mighty bang of nuclear fusion. The multipart show, produced by Walt Disney, uses a unique theater. Here the seated audience is carried past a number of stages; there are reflecting mirrors, startling visual and sound projections, and, in the climax, neutron counters and pther instruments to document graphically the demonstration of controlled thermonuclear fusion.

This view from the Better Living Pavilion shows the latticework roof of piping that supported the pavilion dome. This design provided a large expanse of show and exhibit area without the need for supporting pillars. (CD39 Set 191 #30)  


 
General Electric was one of the hits of the Fair, with long lines waiting to see Walt Disney's new Audio Animatronic figures extol the wonders of electricity. This view from 1964 shows how the lines filled every available space, more than surpassing the highest expectations the designers had foreseen. (CD19 Set 99 #15)  


 
The lines were just as long in 1965, but the addition of a new covered waiting area, dubbed "Progresslane," at least allowed guests to stay  out of the harsh summer sun. (CD15 Set 75 #19)  


 
Once inside, audiences were treated to a unique show that demonstrated how electricity was making differences in the lives of a family in the 1900s, 1920s, 1940s and present time. The audience traveled from scene to scene in a rotating auditorium, accompanied by a catchy tune from Richard and Robert Sherman titled "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow". This scene from the final act shows several of the family members enjoying Christmas, with plenty of new GE appliances to help them celebrate. (CD18 Set 91 #1)  


 
At night the GE Pavilion took on a very special look, for moving lights swept across the domed roof in colorful patterns. Sadly, the animated roof was not included when the pavilion was relocated to Disneyland after the close of the Fair. (CD20 Set 105 #5)  


 


Click here to go back to the Industrial Area index.
   
Click here to go back to the Alphabetical Listing page.
   
Click here to go back to the main 1964-65 New York World's Fair page.