16 Historical Photos of World’s Fairs

Written by Rachel Schneider on June 6, 2025 updated June 12, 2025

Split image: On the left, people in retro space costumes stand in a futuristic fair setting with a crowd behind them. On the right, a vintage sepia photo shows people riding in large, boxy Ferris wheel cars.

There was a time when the future had a physical address. You could walk through it, marvel at it, and even taste it. World’s Fairs were global stages where countries came together to show off their boldest ideas — towering inventions, new materials, and visions of tomorrow that felt more like science fiction than reality. From the Eiffel Tower to vehicles, here are some of the best photos of these expositions we could find.

1. New York City World’s Fair GM Exhibit, Women in an Oldsmobile (1939)

Six women in colorful 1940s clothing sit and wave cheerfully in a cream-colored convertible car at an indoor exhibition, surrounded by displays and booths in the background. — ocdshmuck

2. Cleaning a Giant Studebaker Display at Chicago’s Century of Progress World’s Fair (1933)

Workers clean and paint a giant car model, resembling a classic automobile, in an industrial setting. The oversized structure dwarfs the people, who stand on wooden scaffolding around the sculpture. — Reddit__PI

3. Albert Einstein With His Stepdaughter, Margot Einstein, at the Opening Ceremony of the World’s Fair (1939)

A black-and-white photo shows Albert Einstein seated with a woman in a floral dress sitting on his lap, surrounded by a crowd of men and women, all dressed in vintage 1930s or 1940s clothing. — Quick_Presentation11

4. The Eiffel Tower’s Debut During the World’s Fair in Paris (1889)

A black-and-white photo shows people in old-fashioned clothing walking and gathering near the base of the Eiffel Tower, with historic buildings in the background. Some hold umbrellas and the scene appears to be from the late 19th century. — lampoluza

5. The Reveal of the Ford Mustang at the World’s Fair in New York (1964)

A classic red Ford Mustang is displayed on a round, elevated platform under a large Ford sign at an outdoor event. Crowds gather around, separated by barriers, and trees fill the background. — NoTimeForThisToday

6. ‘The New Yorker’s Map of the 1940 World’s Fair, Together with an Index to Its Chief Attractions’

Illustrated map of the 1940 New York World's Fair, showing colorful buildings, pavilions, and a large lake labeled "Liberty Lake," with an index of key attractions and sections such as Amusement and Grand Central Parkway. — sm4llcur10

7. World’s Fair Expo in Vancouver (1986)

A large crowd gathers at an outdoor fair or expo with red cable cars overhead, modern structures, and colorful banners. City buildings are visible in the background on a clear day. — Wax_Phantom

8. Teens in Space Suits at the New York World’s Fair (1964)

Two people in retro-futuristic space suits stand smiling on a platform, surrounded by a crowd at a mid-century themed event or amusement park. Geometric building designs and people in casual 1960s attire are visible. — UserDeleted

9. The Statue of Liberty’s Head at the World’s Fair in Paris (1878)

A large statue of the head and torch-bearing arm of the Statue of Liberty displayed in a park, surrounded by trees, benches, and pathways, with buildings visible in the background. — Cosmicreature

10. Crowds at the World’s Fair in Osaka (1970)

Large, colorful crowd gathers beneath modern, futuristic structures and elevated walkways at an outdoor exposition or world's fair on a sunny day. Some people ride escalators while others walk and mingle below. — Physical-Work-6744

11. The Hostess of the Kaleidoscope Pavilion at the World’s Fair in Montreal (1967)

A woman in a colorful 1960s outfit poses by a pond in front of a circular building with rainbow-colored vertical panels. A crowd lines up outside the building on a sunny day. — morganmonroe81

12. World’s Fair in Chicago (1893)

A black-and-white photo shows a grand statue overlooking a large reflecting pool, surrounded by elaborate neoclassical buildings and a domed pavilion in the distance, with boats on the water. — CincoDeMayoFan

13. Robot at the New York World’s Fair (1939)

A man in a suit stands beside a large, humanoid robot and a smaller robot shaped like a dog, with patterned curtains in the background. The man appears to be interacting with the robots. — ze0ng

14. Demonstration of ‘The Office of the Future’ (1964)

A woman in a yellow dress and white hat sits at a retro-futuristic control center, using a telephone. She is surrounded by colorful consoles and screens with buttons and dials, evoking a 1960s sci-fi aesthetic. — onepersononeidea

15. Ferris Wheel at the Chicago World’s Fair (1893)

A vintage photograph shows a large Ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas, filled with people. Below, small groups of people gather near the base, and signage is visible in the background. — eternalrefuge86

16. Tattooed Lady at the New York World’s Fair (1939)

A man in a sailor suit tips his hat toward a smiling woman in a bathing suit, who is standing confidently and showing off extensive tattoos on her arms and legs. They are on a stage with a curtain in the background. — DenMother8

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