Incredible Photographs of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair

The Century 21 Exposition, the 1962 World’s Fair, brought a new concept to Seattle – long lines. One of the most popular exhibits was the U.S. Science Pavilion, dedicated to the country’s advances in science and space exploration. After a six-month run, the fair’s 10 millionth visitor passed through the turnstiles Oct. 21, 1962, and the fair closed on the following day. Although many of the temporary exhibits were torn down, the Science Pavilion reopened as the Pacific Science Center. seattlepi

Admiring a spaceman at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. seattlepi

Glass brick at the fair’s Swedish exhibit. seattlepi

Indian dancers at the World’s Fair, Oct. 1962. seattlepi

Japanese dancers at the Seattle World’s Fair, July 1962. seattlepi

Spia is played at the Philippine Pavilion, June 1962. seattlepi

The Seventh Day Adventist exhibit, June 1962. seattlepi

Presiding at the unveiling of Paul Horiuchi’s World’s Fair mural are (left to right) Mr. and Mrs. Horiuchi; Norman Davis, Fair Fine Arts Director; Mayor Gordon S. Clinton, and councilmen Mrs. Harlan Edwards and Dorm Braman. April 21, 1962. seattlepi

A World’s Fair exhibit, Aug. 1962. seattlepi

World’s Fair Gayway rides, April 1962. seattlepi

The Fun Forest, which was initially formed as the Gayway entertainment area for the 1962 World’s Fair, added major rides in 1964 to what had primarily been an assortment of carnival games. In this spring 1965 photo, Mary Anne Norton, age 13, and Kristy Davis, 12, enjoy the Rolo Plane. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI collection)

World’s Fair Gayway rides, April 1962 seen with the Space Needle in the background. seattlepi

A group of interpreters at the Seattle World’s Fair, May 28, 1962. seattlepi

Sal Durante explains to his girlfriend the plan for the 1962 World’s Fair- Roger Maris’ 61st home run ball was to be dropped from the Space Needle; if Durante caught it, he would earn $1,000. seattlepi

A World’s Fair scene, July 1962. seattlepi

A World’s Fair scene, May 1962. seattlepi

Earle Addis, 37, was named the 10 millionth visitor at the Seattle World’s Fair on Oct. 21, 1962 – the last day of the exhibition. Next to Addis is his daughter, Jill, 10, and his wife. Daughters Kathryn, 12, and Julie, 9, are in front. seattlepi

Incredible Photographs of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair