This silent black-and-white home movie captures scenes from the 1933–1934 Chicago World’s Fair – officially known as the Century of Progress International Exposition – though which of the two years this is recorded is unconfirmed. Held along Chicago’s lakefront, primarily on Northerly Island, the fair was a grand celebration of science, technology, and innovation. The footage showcases a wide range of international pavilions and corporate exhibits, each highlighting advancements in modern industry and culture. One notable feature is the Skyride, a popular cable car attraction that offered visitors an aerial view of the fairgrounds and its architecture.

Blurry footage of Lake Michigan seen through a window, featuring an electric pole (00:08) Bird’s-eye view of Chicago’s World Fair, officially called the Century of Progress International Exposition, hosted primarily on Northerly Island (00:31). The Field Museum in Chicago (01:38). The Shedd Aquarium, formerly the John G. Shedd Aquarium (01:44). The Adler Planetarium on Northerly Island (01:50). Bird’s-eye view of Northerly Island from the Skyride at Chicago World’s Fair (02:02). Other cable cars named “Kingfish” and “Battle Ax” pass by (02:12). Cable car views of Northerly Island featuring the Federal Building, a pavilion representing U.S. government agencies at the Fair (02:21) and the Italian Pavilion, which highlighted Italy’s national identity under the direction of Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime at the time (02:37). Views of the World Fair from a cable car (02:43). The Electrical Group’s exhibit area, sometimes referred to as the Electrical Building or Hall of Science (03:13). Footage taken from the grounds of the fair near the fair’s entrance, capturing the crowd of people coming to visit (03:23). Greyhound Lines semi-trailer-style shuttle buses used at the fair (04:16). The Avenue of the Flags, a broad promenade lined on both sides by the national flags of the many countries participating in the fair (04:40). Footage taken from the grounds of the fair (04:54). The Administration Building (05:02). The Three Fluted Towers at the Federal Building (05:27). Frog’s-eye views of the cable cars running on the Skyride over the Avenue of the Flags (05:34). The Sears, Roebuck and Co. Building, a major corporate pavilion (06:11). The Upper Court (06:39). The Italian Pavilion (06:46). The Golden Temple of Jehol (Putuo Zongcheng Temple), featured as part of the Chinese Pavilion (06:59). The Japanese Pavilion (07:07).

The Sky Ride was a transporter bridge (with a design similar to an aerial tramway or gondola lift) designed by the bridge engineering firm Robinson & Steinman that ferried people across the lagoon, Burnham Harbor, in the center of the fair. It was located near Northerly Island, but was demolished after the Fair, having carried 4.5 million passengers. The Sky Ride had a 1,850-foot (560 m) span and two 628-foot (191 m) tall towers, making it the most prominent structure at the fair. Suspended from the span, 215 feet (66 m) above the ground, were rocket-shaped cars, each carrying 36 passengers. The ride was built in the span of six months prior to the fair’s opening, by a consortium of five companies: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, Inland Steel Company, John Roebling and Sons, Mississippi Valley Structural Steel and Otis Elevator at a cost of about $1 million. It was reported that the attraction had 2,616,389 riders in 1933 and a total of about 4.5 million during the course of the fair. It was demolished at the conclusion of the fair.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com