The 1939 New York World's Fair opened 75 years ago this week. The international exposition was partly a trade show where companies like General Motors and Westinghouse showcased their newest technology, like the latest car models or home appliances, and partly a venue for sixty foreign governments to display their national art, culture, and industry. … Continue reading The World of Tomorrow: The 1939 New York World’s Fair
This week in Universal News, the All-American Girl Baseball League plays a pre-season game in Alexandria, Virginia. The league operated from 1943 to 1954, and was created to fill stadiums that were left empty when professional baseball players went to war. You probably know about these women baseball players from the 1992 film A League of … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The All-American Girl Baseball League, 1951
You may recall our blog post from the beginning of April about the Avrocar, the U.S. Air Force’s flying saucer. The Avrocar wasn’t the only futuristic mode of air transport developed by the military, and it certainly isn’t the only captured on film. At the National Archives and Records Administration, we also hold films depicting … Continue reading Alternative Aviation: Rocket Men and Flying Platforms
The 1964 New York World's Fair opened fifty years ago this week, on April 22nd, with the theme of "Man's Achievements in an Expanding Universe." If this extended Universal News story leaves you with the impression that the fair was not a runaway success, that's because it wasn't. The fair was not sanctioned by the Bureau of … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The New York World’s Fair Opens, 1964
The photographs featured this week come from the series 165-BO, “British Photographs of World War I, 1914-1918”, (National Archives Identifier 533104), which is currently being digitized. Local Identifier: 165-BO-0001, “King George of England visits American cemetery near St. Quentin Canal, France, 12/2/1918” Local Identifier: 165-BO-0038, “King of England talking to Scottish soldiers, France” Local Identifier: … Continue reading Images of the Week: British Photographs of World War I
Have you ever thought to yourself: “Those holes on the side of the film, I wonder what they’re for?” Maybe you were afraid to ask? If you think it sounds like a dumb question, let me assure you that some super-smart people have asked us this before. Today we’ll tell you not only what those … Continue reading Film Preservation 101: What are the holes on the sides of the film for?
As April 15 approaches, Americans across the country are filled with dread as they file their taxes and watch money disappear from their pockets. If history provides any relief, we are not the first to feel the burden. In 1789, Ben Franklin famously wrote, “In this world nothing can said to be certain, except death … Continue reading How Computers Changed the Tax Game
This week in 1966, Boeing introduced the world to the 747, the first jumbo jet. Today, production of the 747 is winding down, but when it first debuted with commercial airlines in 1970, the double-decker represented both scale of economy and the lap of luxury for those fortunate enough to travel in first class. Even … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: Introducing the Boeing 747, 1966
In an effort to provide information on recently declassified motion pictures and sound recordings the Motion Picture, Sound and Video Branch will publish a quarterly list of newly declassified records. This quarter's list consists of films from a series of Army records (Local Identifier 319-IDF/National Archives Identifier 7851390). They are intelligence reports that were obtained … Continue reading Declassified Motion Pictures and Sound Recordings – 2nd Quarter
Although this year's Oscars broadcast was a full two months ago, the ceremony honoring My Fair Lady, Julie Andrews, and Rex Harrison was held this week in 1965. If that seems late to you, consider that the very first Oscars were handed out May 16, 1929. http://youtu.be/ngw1JyOv_GM From the release sheet: HOLLYWOOD'S NIGHT OF GLAMOUR: … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The 37th Academy Awards, 1965
