7000 Tomorrows - WP & The 1964 World's Fair - 16mm

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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cadman

cadman

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This week, we go Back to The Future to see what life might be like in 1985 from the vantage of Whirlpool's 1964 World's Fair exhibit.

Not just appliances, WP had numerous government contracts at the time in other interests, such as defense, space and even ag. Their Tectrol division was experimenting with ways to keep fruits and vegetables shelf-stable longer. And they had a contract with NASA for a Space Kitchen prototype as far back as 1961. Both influence this exhibit.



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1964 through 5 New York world fair

My father took my brother Jeff and I to this fair. Somehow we did not make it to this exhibit that whirlpool put on, it would’ve been neat to see.

It’s interesting that they did not show a washer dryer. Combination. Whirlpool was no longer marketing it under their name, but still making it for Sears. Don’t know if that had anything to do with it

My brother and I really enjoyed the world’s fair. It was a very inspiring look at the world and what was possible. It was definitely a high point of my young life to see all this technology and innovation that was being made available to American consumers.

Thanks again, Cory for posting this really enjoyed it.

John L
 
 

 

These films are so great, thanks for posting them and your hard work getting them transferred to digital.  

 

I was a bit too young to experience any of the World's Fair excitement.  What a wondrous place.

 

You can barely make out a shiny, moving drum in the film at the washer/dryer segment.  Probably was hard to capture on camera amid all the bright lights, etc. 
 
I've only been to one World's Fair, and that was in New Orleans, in 1984. My cousin Craig and I went because our cousin Mike was in a band that was performing there. I don't remember anything about any industrial displays, just exhibits from various countries.

My neighbors up the street went to the one in Seattle in 1962. It was their daughter Sue Ellen's HS graduation present. They got discount tickets from GM, as the lady's brother owned a Chevrolet dealership. Evidently there was a major display of GM vehicles and Frigidaire products there.

The most interesting I've seen anything about is the one that occurred in New York in 1939.
 
cool video

My folks took our family to the 1964 World's Fair when I was nine years old. I don't recall visiting the Whirlpool exhibit, but we did go to the General Motors one. GM had all their cars and some cars of the future, and a Frigidaire appliance exhibit where they were introducing the jet cone agitator washer. They had a machine hooked up with water and pulsating with a glass lid to view. That was probably the fair's highlight to me, as well as the giant Goodyear Tire ferris wheel.
 

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