Academic

Auto Tag Reciprocity And The 1933 Chicago World's Fair

By Dan Filler

I love archives and one of the most amazing things about this digital era is the radically improved accessibility of many archival collections.  I was procrastinating a bit Friday and this evening, looking at the Prelinger Film Archives and the University of Chicago Century of Progress 1933 World's Fair Archive.  I came upon several pamphlets promoting the Fair, including Around the world for 50 cents. Chicago World's Fair, May 27 to November 1, a $37,000,000 show and Fairing: Millions are Doing It.  This latter document included details about how easy it was to drive to the Fair.  And it had this to say:

Who would have ever imagined the importance of these facts!  In 1933, drivers were concerned that they might have to put new plates on the car just to drive to Illinois?  Or might have to obtain tags in the first place - if you lived in a non-licensing jurisdiction?  We don't even notice the full reciprocity of both auto tags and drivers licenses - and the ubiquity of both of these fund-raising devices.  Thank goodness for surfing - no wonder studies show it makes you more efficient!

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on April 06, 2009 (boomark / email).