Page 7 - Demo

A Century of Progress %u2022 Vintage PostcardsA Second World%u2019s Fair for Chicago (Continued)gold leaf; cornice beams with carved images of dragons, cats, and dogs; and columns in heights of 16%u2019, 30%u2019, and 37%u2019. Inside it boasted a prayer wheel, trumpets, temple drum, bronze Buddhas, gilded Buddhas, altar pieces, incense burners, and much more. In total, it was composed of 28,000 pieces, all painstakingly created in China for transport to the Fair.Although located just outside the fairgrounds, such venerable local institutions as the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry were all considered a part of the Exposition. This was also true for the Chicago Art Institute, even if it was some distance away downtown. Nearby Soldier Field, besides hosting the Opening Ceremonies, offered track-and-field events, and Big-10 conference football games during the Fair%u2019s run.The ExhibitsAdmission to the grounds was 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children, but inside the gates, most of the Fair was absolutely free. However, some of the more costly and extravagant exhibits did charge an additional entrance fee. And, of course, there were goodies to buy. A typical lunch was just 15 cents, plus there was a plethora of souvenirs for the folks back home, available in a wide range of types and prices. There were stage plays, concerts, and demonstration%u2014and many hundreds of exhibitors and concessionaires that took part in the Fair. In particular, auto manufacturers were the rage to visit, with Cadillac%u2019s new V-16 limousine, Nash%u2019s vertical parking garage, Lincoln%u2019s rear engine car, and Pierce-Arrow%u2019s modernistic Pierce Silver Arrow which used the byline, %u201cSuddenly it%u2019s 1940!%u201d There were scores of smaller companies represented, too, such as Fred W. Amend who demonstrated how his firm made Chuckle Jelly Beans in the Foods and Agriculture Building. The Charles Karr Co. had an exhibit of its mattresses in the Home Planning Hall, and the Porcelain Enamel Institute displayed 42 separate companies%u2019 porcelain-enamel products in the General Exhibits Group.Appealing to many visitors was a Midway with nightclubs, where future stars such as Judy Garland and the Andrews Sisters performed. There were reenactments from Chicago%u2019s history, along with reproductions One of the modern marvels on display at the Hall of Science was inventor Menotti Nanni%u2019s Baby Submarine and with his SubHydro Balloon attached, which were created to enable crewmen to escape from a disabled submerged submarine.