Expo 67
Fritz ;)
It was like a big World Showcase but with architecture similar to Future World. Was Expo 67 a major influence on the design of EPCOT Center? Indubitably. Was it as fantastic as the '64-'65 New York World's Fair? Hmm... Close. Did Walt Disney (the company) have a presence at the Expo? Yep, a little.
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Today:
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The 1967 International and Universal Exposition (or Expo 67) in Montreal, Canada was the "most successful World's Fair of the 20th Century". The total visit count: 50,306,648. This, contrasted with Canada's resident population of only 20 million, landed the 6 month fair with a per-capita attendance record. On the third day of the fair a single-day World's Fair attendance record was set with 569,000 visitors.
The 1970 Osaka Expo welcomed 70 million+ visitors and recently Shanghai reported 70.45 million visitors to their fair. Additionally Shanghai 2010 recorded that in its last day of honoring "standard tickets" 748,300 people attended.
Keep in mind Epcot hosts, say, 70,000 guests on a super busy peak day.
Pavilions
The Expo boasted 90 pavilions. Here we look at a few.
Canada Pavilion
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Killer view atop an inverted pyramid. It appears pyramids were a structure of choice at this fair.
Canada Pulp and Paper Pavilion (model)
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Great Britian Pavilion
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Friendship Boat?
France Pavilion
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Looks like a cross between a monorail and a peoplemover, eh?
Today (Casino de Montreal):
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Morocco Pavilion
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I am loving this Morocco diorama. The figures were animated but don't they look like regular old store mannequins in fancy clothing?
Japan Pavilion
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United States Pavilion
The Biosphere still stands today!:
Fire
You'll notice the clear acrylic panels no longer cover the surface of the dome. In 1976 a welding torch set the structure on fire leaving only the metal framework behind. The Biosphere remained closed until it was purchased by Environment Canada in 1990 and later opened as a museum.
Italy Pavilion
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Federal Republic of Germany Pavilion (model)
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China Pavilion
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Thailand Pavilion (model)
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Soviet Union Pavilion
La Ronde
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Today (La Ronde Six Flags Amusement Park):
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Alcan Pavilion
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Today:
Kaleidoscope Pavilion
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Quebec Pavilion
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Today:
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Habitat 67
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Today:
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Telephone Association of Canada Pavilion (with Circle-Vision 360°, produced by The Walt Disney Company)
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"Canada 67" Circle-Vision Film: Description from the Expo 67 guide book:
"You're on centre stage for the RCMP Musical Ride... on centre ice for hockey... on the track at the Stampede! CIRCLE-VISION 360o surrounds you with all the fun and excitement of Canada's most thrilling events and its scenic beauty. And then, take your chldren to the Enchanted Forest...see exciting new communication services for the future... all in the Telephone Pavilion!"
The film is said to be a major inspiration to the original "O Canada" film at EPCOT Center.
The film has reportedly not been seen since the closing of Expo 67. This could be false. Any bit of the film you find out there, let us know.
Side note: Ever notice how FANTASTIC themed entertainment design was in 1967?? If you read this blog, you know how we feel.
Related posts:
THEN AND NOW: Epcot Future World [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 2]
Disneyland Meets EPCOT Center
1967 "New Tomorrowland" Broadcast
Thank you alamedainfo.com and Bing Maps.
Reader Comments (10)
The designs of these pavilions are wonderful! I want to take a trip there to see these now!
Wow, it's amazing how much of this was clearly an inspiration for EPCOT!
"Free the Expo Sixty Seven!"
Wow! I remember going (I was 6!) but other than the dome, I don't remember any of the buildings! That being said however, I can STILL say I was there!! ;-)
Excellent! I'm a big fan of Spaceship Earth knock-offs.
Here's my favorite at Seoul Land in Korea built in '88.
http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/korea/seoul-land/photos
It's Mini Spaceship Earth!
Japan reminded me of a parking garage
Like your current day aerial photos, where did you find them?
Russian Pavilion still exists in Russia.
There was a similar exterior design as Canada Pulp and Paper Pavilion at Expo 1990 in Osaka, Japan. What was really interesting was that the movie was by the same group and the same concept as the Czechoslovakia Movie Exhibit at Expo '67. The audience voted as to how the movie would end.
Vedere le immagini del padiglione dell'USSR all'EXPO 67 mi ha commosso; il general contractor era la FEAL SAS di Milano (Italia) ed io ero il Site Superintendent. Allora avevo 40 anni e fu un grande impegno ma riuscì un'opera notevole. Quando si guardano le meravigliose opere costruite nelle varie EXPO, susseguitesi nel tempo, pensiamo per un secondo alle migliaia di persone che le hanno concepite e realizzate.
27 Marzo 2015
I remember visiting the site 5 years after the fair was held. The atmosphere seemed bleak and empty as the pavilions were still in the process of being dismantled. just a few pavilions were gone at that time, many shipped back to the nations who presented them. Almost all of the pavilions were utilized on Ille St. Helene as changing exhibits. I was amazed with "Bucky" Fuller's dome, as well as Alexander Calder's chunk of steel entitled "Man".
Ille Notre Dame was living a ghost-town exsistence at the time with a minirail ride still meandering past decaying pavilions. I still wished today that there was a way to have saved many of the pavilions designed and erected. Frei Otto's "Tent", would have been a cerebral joy to see.
I recall a room with carpeted seating steps that housed a recorded music theater. The music was played from tapes in a control room behind a glass window. The speakers were mostly horns arrayed around the room. The music was crisp and clean and unforgettable. I think this was the US Pavilion but I can find no history of that room. Can anyone provide information about that room, its design, and sound system? Thank you.