A Century Of Progress

Chicago, which was founded as a city in 1833, had made great progress after a century's development. It had representative significance in the development history of American cities. World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 and The Plan of Chicago in 1909 accelerated the development of Chicago and other American cities. Just under this historical background, for the sake of 100^th anniversary, Chicago made preparations for the 1933 World's Exposition zealously and for the first time established its theme as "A Century of Progress". Understanding the important role of science in the progress of a century, in order to perfectly express the theme, the sponsors of the world's exposition had the advocating of scientific spirit as the keynote. At the same time, this world's exposition attached importance to urban signboard — the development and creativity of the architecture — popularized new patterns of exhibition technology as well as colorful life styles, and pursued different kinds of social values to manifest the progress of urban development and enriched the meaning of the conception of "progress". However, to our disappointment, there were a variety of conflicts behind the theme of "progress". The contradiction was largely embodied on the gulf between the architecture sites and the entire layout of exposition. Furthermore, the organizers expected the public to approach science and planned this world's exposition as an educative feast as well as a recreational activity. Lastly, the expressing of theme turned into a hue and cry. This can be explained from three aspects: 1929 economic crisis brought financial difficulties; urban culture of 1920s had important influence on the exposition; there were weaker managements in international exposition bureau's management. The commercial success directly led to the continuation of the second season of world' exposition. What was more, the world's exposition had a positive effect on social economy and culture of Chicago. As the first world's exposition which established its own theme, it had both successful experience and disappointing lessons. Learning its experience and lessons is helpful for us to hold 2010 shanghai world's exposition. The paper includes four chapters with an additional introduction and an epilogue.The research meaning is firstly introduced and then present research situation is reviewed. It puts forward some issues already solved by the researchers as well as those unsolved. Lastly, the basic clue and outline of the paper is introduced in this paper.The first chapter, the historical background of "A Century of Progress" exposition in 1933 is introduced. This is a presupposition of the theme of the world's exposition. The first section connects the theme of "A Century of Progress" with the history of Chicago, and generally states that since the foundation in 1833, Chicago had undergone splendid process and historical progress, which became the historical keynote of the theme of world's exposition. Secondly, there are two of the mostsignificant events in the history of Chicago------World's Columbian Exposition in1893 and The Plan of Chicago in 1910.These events can be considered as a part of historical progress of Chicago, on the other hand, they reserved historical legacy for "A Century of Progress" exposition in 1933. The third section mainly gives an account of how the theme of world's exposition was presented, and the process of successfully applying for holding the exposition. Lastly, before the opening of the exposition, it will be elaborated that "A Century of Progress" experienced a lofty and steep road.The second chapter is the key content of this thesis. It mainly discusses how the theme of this world's exposition was put on display. This chapter is mainly incarnated from the following aspects. The first one is the carrying forward of scientific spirit. This exposition showed the rapid scientific development of Chicago and even the USA and further illuminated that scientific development is the foundation of the development of Chicago. The praise of scientific force was the core spirit of this exposition. Second, Chicago has been famous for its architecture. Architecture prosperity gives expression to scientific progress of Chicago as well as urban development. As a matter of fact, the architecture of the world's exposition became the carrier of the concept "A Century of Progress". Third, the popularization of new exhibition technology mainly consists of the application of photoelectric and colorific techniques. The emphasis on the revelation of "process" is another feature of this exposition. Fourth, the life style of the middle class became the fashion at that time. Naturally, this world's exposition exerted great efforts to exhibit automobile, housing, home appliances, entertainment consumption, and sorts of living contents .Lastly, it tried to break through the dominating concept of "industrialism" by pursuing the forms of progress in many ways, such as advocating American social values, preserving the heritage of traditional culture, maintaining the women's status and pursuing the elegant style of art, which indicated that sponsors understood the theme multangularly.The third chapter is also an important part of this paper. It mainly deals with the complexity and contradiction of "A Century of Progress" in practice and how the theme of the world's exposition deflected in reality. The contradiction is largely embodied on the gulf between the architecture sites and the entire layout of exposition. Furthermore, the organizers expected the public to approach science and planned this world's exposition as an educative feast as well as a recreational activity, while many lavational things went on in virtue of progress .There are three causes for the contradiction. First of all, this world's exposition confronted great difficulties due to 1929 economic crisis and lots of schemes can not be carried out because of the financial trouble .In order to raise fund the organizers had to compromise with the exhibitors, thus some unfavorable things appeared .Secondly, there were great changes in urban culture in 1920s, people sought for life enjoyment and entertainment became a crucial part of life. This had great effect on the content and means of the world's exposition. Finally, this was the first integrated exposition following the international exposition bureau, which did not take effective supervision and regulation on this world's exposition.The fourth chapter discusses the social and economic influence of the 1993 Chicago world's exposition .Appealed by all fields in the society, the organizers considered holding the second season of world's exposition .It was a precedent to hold the world' exposition in two successive seasons .It not only infused Chicago poor economy with fresh energy, but also had certain impact on social culture. The epilogue tries to explore how we should view the practical significance of this world's exposition .It was undoubtedly successful and admirable in terms of economic benefits. And it made much progress as a pioneer with regard to expressing the theme of world's exposition .Its experience and lessons are helpful for holding 2010 shanghai world's exposition and expressing its theme "Better city ,Better life ".