cover image World of Fairs: The Century-Of-Progress Expositions

World of Fairs: The Century-Of-Progress Expositions

Robert W. Rydell. University of Chicago Press, $49.95 (280pp) ISBN 978-0-226-73236-7

Historian Rydell ( All the World's a Fair ) analyzes the content and impact of Depression-era ``century of progress'' fairs. He convincingly documents his conclusion that these fairs tried to create middle-class cohesion by promoting faith in the government, in the synonymy of science and progress, and in the goodwill of major corporations. Beginning with the revitalization of the world's fair movement after the stock market crash of 1929, he then looks at how fairs promoted eugenics as part of the definition of a better future. In discussing specific fairs, he finds imperialism buttressed in the contents of the 1939-40 San Francisco Golden Gate International Exposition. He sees ``the unity of science and industry'' extolled at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair, where a future of consumer bliss was promised by companies such as General Foods and Formica. A provocative chapter is devoted to the efforts of African Americans (who, in general, had a different view of the future) to nudge the fairs to acknowledge social justice issues. However, though he includes numerous interesting details, Rydell's ponderous, jargon-laden style detracts from his mission. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Sept.)