American Scientist

In the spring of 1939, as the world emerged from the Great Depression and braced itself against the threat of impending war, the United States hosted an optimistic exhibition of a brighter future. The 1939 New York World’s Fair was a showcase of economic might, nationalism, culture, and modernist and art deco design. Visitors arriving in Flushing, Queens, by subway entered the fairgrounds through the Community Interests zone. To their right was the Hall of Fashion, to their left was the Town of Tomorrow, and straight ahead, the Home Furnishing building. In the center of this area stood the Fountain of the Atom.