Expo '58
The 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium (also known as Expo '58), took place from April to October 1958 and marked the first World's Fair following the world-altering World War II. In 2008, Brussels commemorated the 50th anniversary of Expo '58 with an exhibition featured on Atomium:
On 17th April 1958, the last universal world fair organised by Belgium was inaugurated on the Heysel site in Brussels.
A hugely colourful event, spreading a message full of boundless optimism, reflecting a society characterised by confidence in its future, Expo 58 inspires fond memories in our collective consciousness.
Step back in time and take a look at the preparations being made for the Brussels World's Fair with this black and white American video/commercial, found via YouTube:
I was initially drawn to the historic Expo '58 via the brilliant, vibrantly designed brochures from the UK Pavilion, which come courtesy of David Levine's BRILLIANT Flickr collection (Seriously, you NEED to visit him. But be prepared to spend hours in a drool-rich, catatonic state. Don't say I didn't warn you.). The brochure is entirely in French and is basically like a, "Guess what? The UK has actually made some important contributions to the world!" type of program. The important thing is: the designs and illustrations are totally ace. Proof:
The UK wasn't the only pavilion with fabulously designed literature, either:
{ France Pavilion }
{ European Community Pavilion }
{ USSR Pavilion }
{ Czech Pavilion }
June 14, 2011
Reader Comments (3)
woah! this is amazing. love it - especially the UK brochure. now off to troll through David Levine's sets. where's my drool cloth?
Hi - thanks for the link and kind words about my website(s).
-David Levine
@Penelope: Thank you for stopping by! I hope your drool cloth served you well... :)
@David: YOU are the one who should be thanked! Wonderful images... All the best to you!