Postcards from the 1939 New York World's Fair

World's Fairs Collection, 1-9, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 1-9, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 1-9, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 1-9, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

The 1939 World's Fair offered patrons a view of a safe and peaceful future, while they were both healing after the Great Depression and growing wary of the storm clouds gathering over Europe. Futuristic technologies on display at the fair symbolized the hope for international cooperation through common resources. In the large postcard above, the famous Horn and Hardart Automat in Times Square is featured, which was popular during the Depression era for its affordable prices and convenience. The automat was made even more famous as a food option at the fair.

Design techniques were also a popular attraction at the fair. Top left is a postcard of Carl Mamsten's design for a modern living room at the Swedish Exhibition. Such grace and opulence dazzled spectators, most of whom were used to much sparser living quarters.

Top right and below are postcards depicting the innovative Firestone Tire Exhibition in the Transportation Zone, which featured an actual life-size farm, complete with farm hands and live animals. It demonstrated the relationship between farming and technology, as farmers needed tires on virtually every piece of wheeled farm equipment.