The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair - When America Invented the Future

Part 2

-- Throughout history, people have imagined what the future might look like, sometimes in bold visions, and sometimes in outlandish predictions. Dreams of a Future Past is a podcast that explores how humanity has dreamed of the future through movies, technology, philosophy, and design.

In Part 2 of this episode, we dive into the forces that shaped the fair, the dark side of the fair including "The Devil" in the White City, and its lasting impact on Chicago and world in which we live today. Join Ian, Greg, and McKay as they explore the many futuristic themes of the fair and uncover more of what they got right, and missed, at this amazing World's Fair.

What it Missed

• The just plain weird and gimmicky including Glow-in-the-dark cocktails and electroshock “Health Machines.”
• Depictions of global cultures.

Its Lasting Impact

• The structures with you can still visit today, including the Palace of Fine Arts which became the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry and the World’s Congress Building which became the Art Institute of Chicago.
• The serial killer "Devil" at the fair and his murder hotel.

Join us to find out how much of The White City was a blueprint for our future and how much a dream that faded with the lights.

Dreams of Future Past, Episode 3: Imagine a world’s fair that introduced the Ferris Wheel, hamburgers, spray paint, and electric light, all in one place. The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, also known as the “White City,” put American innovation on the global stage, dazzling visitors with technology, architecture, and ideas that would shape the 20th century. It was part CES, part Olympics, and all spectacle.

There is so much to the fair that we had to break it up into two parts. In Part 1, we dive into the history and drama behind the fair and the futuristic ideas it showcased across electricity, architecture, food and much more! Join us as we cover the many dreams of the future at the fair which have become our everyday reality, including:

• A showcase of America’s manufacturing muscle and growing industrial power.
• The turning point from steam to electricity, featuring AC vs. DC showdowns between Tesla/Westinghouse and Edison.
• The Ferris Wheel as America’s answer to the Eiffel Tower.
• Moving Walkways as the ancestor of airport travelators and Disney’s Wedway movers.

Throughout history, people have imagined what the future might look like — sometimes in bold visions, sometimes in whimsical predictions. Dreams of a Future Past is a podcast that explores how humanity has dreamed of the future through movies, technology, philosophy, and design.

With an upbeat, conversational tone, the show will dive into iconic retro-futurist moments — from concept cars and world’s fairs, to sci-fi films and technology — and ask: what came true, what never did, and why? Along the way, listeners will discover the stories of inventors, businesspeople, and dreamers who helped shape our imagination of tomorrow.

Join McKay, Greg and Ian as they geek out over the future. What once was thought possible, and getting inspired by what might still be to come...