Space Exhibits at Expo 67
The 1950's and 60's saw a general enthusiasm for space exploration, and by 1967 the U.S. and the USSR were engaged in a fierce race to put a man on the moon.
At Expo 67, both these countries attempted to convince visitors of their superiority in the field of space technology by featuring special space exhibits in their pavilions. These exhibits proved very popular and lineups were long...
The U.S. Space Observation Deck
The U.S. pavilion used it's highest platform (9 stories high) for it's space exhibit entitled Destination Moon. The platform was reached by escalator, the longest one in existence in 1967 at 125 feet. Suspended from the ceiling of the pavilion were several actual Apollo and Gemini capsules (including the Freedom Seven Mercury capsule). A 3-man command module, and a model of the Surveyor space craft were also on display. The entire exhibit was enhanced by photographs, films of blast-offs and sounds of recorded conversations between astronauts, as well as models of space suits and examples of food used by astronauts.
The USSR Space Gallery and Cosmos Hall
Like their American counterparts, the USSR also placed their space gallery at the highest point of their pavilion's exhibition area. Several dozen sputnik models (each designed for a specific purpose) were suspened from the ceiling. Set on a backdrop of simulated surfaces of the moon and Venus was a fire-blackened model of Yuri Gagarin's space capsule. Cosmos Hall, a 60-seat spherical theatre in which visitors were taken on an imaginary journey to Mars, was very popular but required reservations...
History tells us that the the U.S. Apollo 11 space mission would eventually win the race, landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.
photos: Bill Cotter
At Expo 67, both these countries attempted to convince visitors of their superiority in the field of space technology by featuring special space exhibits in their pavilions. These exhibits proved very popular and lineups were long...
The U.S. Space Observation Deck
The U.S. pavilion used it's highest platform (9 stories high) for it's space exhibit entitled Destination Moon. The platform was reached by escalator, the longest one in existence in 1967 at 125 feet. Suspended from the ceiling of the pavilion were several actual Apollo and Gemini capsules (including the Freedom Seven Mercury capsule). A 3-man command module, and a model of the Surveyor space craft were also on display. The entire exhibit was enhanced by photographs, films of blast-offs and sounds of recorded conversations between astronauts, as well as models of space suits and examples of food used by astronauts.The USSR Space Gallery and Cosmos Hall
Like their American counterparts, the USSR also placed their space gallery at the highest point of their pavilion's exhibition area. Several dozen sputnik models (each designed for a specific purpose) were suspened from the ceiling. Set on a backdrop of simulated surfaces of the moon and Venus was a fire-blackened model of Yuri Gagarin's space capsule. Cosmos Hall, a 60-seat spherical theatre in which visitors were taken on an imaginary journey to Mars, was very popular but required reservations...History tells us that the the U.S. Apollo 11 space mission would eventually win the race, landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.
photos: Bill Cotter
Labels: expo life
posted by Jason Stockl @ 6:53 pm
3 Comments:
I don't know if YOU know it...but in Moscow there are at least 2 buildings in the same architecture style as USSR pavilion on Expo67. The waterpool for olympic games '80 and somewhat pavilion on All-Union Exhibition of People's Achievments(so pathetic =/...)
The US versus USSR exhibits were an extraordinary contribution to the beauty that was Expo 67. The space race was truly in it's infancy. That the two buildings were separated by a pedestrian bridge added immensely to the full communist/western sub-plot. It was REALLY important in 1967 to beat the Russians to the moon. For whatever reason, it was a unifying force - and in retrospect - an obvious diversion to vietnam atrocities - but i digress.
I first experienced the US pavillion from the monorail line that entered and exited the dome at such a relaxed space-age pace; that was a trip in and of itself...which left an enormous desire to see what the heck was at the top of that enormous escalator. (a side note - ANY escalator ride in 1967 was pretty cool - but 125'? Outtasite!
Among my many visits to Expo 67 and 68 (Man and his World), the highlight, bar none, was visiting the moon landing site at the top of Buck Fuller dome. The view of the lunar module prototype - the view of Montreal skysrapers - Place Ville Marie! WOW! And outside at night - the dome, aglow like the moon itself had arrived in Montreal to take part in the show. INCREDIBLE. un jour, un jour - the future was right in front of us. God I loved Expo 67.
I never made it into the USSR pavillion - a huge regret - but as you stated - the lines were EEE-NORMOUS.
Jason - continued thanks for this oh so cool lounge - it has become one of my favorite corners of the internet
Brucer - Ottawa
I want to know more specifics about the space capsule hanging in the US pavilion. I seem to remember the general hype at the time indicated that it was the capsule from John Glen's first orbit ( we would have believed anything back then!). Can someone help me out here?
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