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Monday, May 7, 2012 - Page updated at 04:27 p.m.

When the world came to Seattle: 50 years since World's Fair

World's 50 Fair

Fair looks ahead with "Century 21" theme

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A guide to the fair grounds

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No floating 520 bridge, or I-5 freeway

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Northgate of 1962: Nordstrom a survivor

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Envisioning a pool for every home

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Third-graders predict the future

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Quilted pants for moon trip?

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Just one pair of shoes won't do

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Shining a light on the Needle

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A columnist's take on family life

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Book folks predicted speed-reading explosion

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A special tribute to British Columbia

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City of Tomorrow

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On the brink of swift urbanization

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Region's technology development touted

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Boeing sees big future in space

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Fair's effect on travel, recreation

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Custom-made for the big car man

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A cross-Sound bridge?

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A hat tip to Alaska, fresh off statehood

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When the world came to Seattle

On April 21, 1962, the gates opened to a World's Fair in Seattle that left an indelible stamp on the city's image and future.

For 184 days, locals and visitors alike marveled at the Space Needle, the Monorail, the "World of Tomorrow" pavilions, and the "Spacearium."

Days before the opening, The Seattle Times published a 152-page "Seattle World's Fair Souvenir Edition" that was packed with information about the fair as well as predictions for the future.

Use the arrows in the window at left to see highlights from the section, and click through at any point to read more or see larger images.

More from the souvenir edition



Sketcher: They keep the old monorail rolling

Consider the lives touched by the 1.2-mile ride between downtown and Seattle Center. Think of the fun it brings to nearly 2 million tourists every year and to those who commute on it every day. And think of what it means to the people who work there.

Seattle Sketcher | World's Fair Bubbleator has had its ups and downs

In 1962, third-graders predicted pocket phones, flying cars

1962 Seattle World's Fair: Century 20 was cool, too

Author Jim Lynch: 1962 'launched modern Seattle'

6-year-old was 9 millionth visitor at Seattle World's Fair

1962 Seattle World's Fair: The 'Industrial Horizons' are bright

1962 Seattle World's Fair: The 'City of Tomorrow' has arrived

World's Fair: When modern living was ahead of its time

1962 Seattle World's Fair: A city in orbit

Pacific Magazine | A new book celebrates the vision and muscle that made Seattle's 1962 World's Fair

KCTS logo

KCTS documentary created

Through historical photographs and motion pictures of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, "When Seattle Invented the Future" brings to life the textures and sounds of Seattle in the late '50s and early '60s.


Go here for more information from KCTS, including music, interviews, a scrapbook and more videos related to the fair.

Space Needle Construction Photo

World's Fair Commemorative Gifts

Choose from our collection of World's Fair gifts featuring photos and newspaper page fronts.

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