Page 154 - Demo

154 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE FALL 2024THE 12 FAMOUS GM PARADE OF PROGRESSFUTURLINERSFirst occurring in 1791 in what was then Bohemia, the World%u2019s Fair was designed to be a large global exhibition to showcase the achievements of nations. Each iteration over the years featured its own distinct, vibrant character and mesmerizing spectacles that unfolded in diverse corners of the globe, stirring imaginations and sparking wonder with its innovations and marvels. Nearly every World%u2019s Fair had a large centerpiece that displayed the abilities of its host city, which led to the creation of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, to name a few.At the 1933 Chicago World%u2019s Fair, the theme was %u201cA Century of Progress,%u201d which emphasized color, lighting and technological advancement. The General Motors display at the event featured the world%u2019s first automotive research organization, the GM Research Laboratories - created to accelerate GM into a leading transportation technology company. The Research Laboratories later evolved into the General Motors Research and Development department. The success of the display at the World%u2019s Fair inspired Charles F. Kettering, then vice president of GM, to develop a mobile exhibit that became known as the Parade of Progress. The traveling show could be enjoyed by anyone for free and drew millions of attendees across the country.The inaugural Parade of Progress tour began in 1936. Central to the parade were eight large, red-andwhite Streamliners, custom-built at the Fleetwood plant of Fisher Body. The parade covered over a million miles and visited 251 towns across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and even Cuba (that%u2019s right, they loaded all the Streamliners and support vehicles on a ship!). The parade entertained some 12.5 million spectators. Following the triumph of the initial Parade of Progress with the tour buses, GM upgraded its fleet in 1940, introducing a new set of 12 now infamous and grand vehicles known as Futurliners. Constructed by GM%u2019s Yellow Coach and Fleetwood Fisher Body divisions and designed by Harley Earl, each Futurliner measured approximately 33 feet in length, 8 feet in width and 11 feet in height. These imposing and impressive vehicles featured a futuristic Art Deco-inspired streamlined design. Inside, they showcased cutting-edge exhibits and displays, spotlighting advancements in transportation, science and industry.The Parade of Progress was paused when the United States entered World War II. The vehicles were relocated to Ohio for storage, and it wasn%u2019t until April 1953 that the parade resumed, maintaining its 1940 format with support vehicles and personnel comprised of young men from colleges across the country. Many Futurliners had been updated WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Historic photos provided by General Motors Archives.