The 1958 Brussels World's Fair: A Step into a Better and Brighter Future

The 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, also known as the Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Bruxelles, was a major international exhibition that took place in Brussels, Belgium, from 17 April to 19 October 1958. The event was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first World’s Fair held in Brussels in 1910. The 1958 World’s Fair was one of the largest exhibitions of the 20th century, attracting over 41 million visitors from around the world.

The theme of the 1958 World’s Fair was “A World on the Move,” which reflected the rapid technological advancements of the time and the increasing speed of transportation and communication. The fair was divided into several sections, each showcasing the latest innovations in a specific field, such as science, transportation, and architecture. The main Pavilion of the fair was the Atomium, a steel structure that stood 335 feet tall and represented an iron molecule magnified 165 billion times.

One of the highlights of the 1958 World’s Fair was the participation of various countries from around the world. Each country had its own Pavilion, showcasing its culture, history, and technological advancements. Some of the most notable pavilions included the United States Pavilion, which showcased the latest innovations in transportation, and the Soviet Pavilion, which displayed the latest developments in science and technology.

Another highlight of the 1958 World’s Fair was the architecture. Many of the pavilions were designed by famous architects of the time, including Le Corbusier, who designed the French Pavilion, and Marcel Breuer, who designed the Belgian Pavilion. The fair’s architecture was highly influenced by the International Style, characterized by the use of modern materials and an emphasis on functionality.

The 1958 World’s Fair also had a significant impact on popular culture. The fair was the birthplace of many famous attractions and innovations that are still enjoyed today, including the first-ever audio-animatronic display, which was featured in the American Pavilion. The fair also saw the debut of several new products, including the Polaroid camera, which Edwin Land introduced at the fair.

In addition to showcasing the latest technological advancements, the 1958 World’s Fair was also a cultural event. Many famous musicians and performers, including Duke Ellington and Maria Callas, performed at the fair. The fair also significantly impacted the culinary world, with many new food and beverage products introduced, including instant coffee and Tiki drinks.

#1 Brussels World’s Fair 1958

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#2 Pavilion of Great Britain

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#3 American Pavilion by night, Architect Edward Durell Stone, cupola

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#4 View of the Atomium fromthe lighthouse of the Dutch Pavilion

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#5 Pavilion of Great Britain

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#6 Atomium and Belgian Pavilion

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#7 American Pavilion, Architect Edward Durell Stone Published in: Berliner Morgenpost

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#8 Pavilion of the Vatican, modern church with bell tower

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#9 Pavilion of the Vatican, modern church, interior view

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#10 Sculpture by Bernhard Heiliger ‘Human and progress, figure tree’ in front of the German Pavilion

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#11 Sculpture by Bernhard Heiliger ‘Human and progress, figure tree’ in front of the German Pavilion

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#12 Atomium and gondola

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#13 Brussels World’s Fair 1958

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#14 View of the Atomium

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#15 Tower made of asbestos cement

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#16 French Pavilion, Facade made of polyester resin

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#17 The emblem of the World’s Fair, five-pointed star

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#18 Fountain and Atomium in the background

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#19 Fountain and Atomium in the background

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#20 Brussels World’s Fair 1958 visitors

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#21 German Pavilion

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#22 Pavilion of the Vatican, modern church with bell tower

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#23 American Pavilion, Architect Edward Durell Stone, the dome

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#24 Sculpture by Fritz Koenig ‘Mother and children’ in front of the German Pavilion

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#25 Entrance building

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#26 American Pavilion, Architect Edward Durell Stone

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#27 Pavilion of the Vatican, modern church with bell tower, fountains

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#28 French pavilion

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#29 Atomium

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#30 Atomium

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#31 American Pavilion, Architect Edward Durell Stone

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#32 View from the top ball of the Atomium onto the pavilion of the Catholic missions

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#33 Entrance building at night

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#34 American Pavilion by night, Architect Edward Durell Stone

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#35 Sculpture by Bernhard Heiliger ‘Human and progress, figure tree’ in front of the German Pavilion

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#36 Sculpture by Henry Moore in front of the English Pavilion

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#37 Hungarian pavilion

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#38 View from the Atomium to the Belgian exhibition area and the entrance building

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#39 Visitors in front of an exhibition building with pool

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#40 French pavilion, Atomium

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#41 Atomium by night

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#42 View of the entrance building during the opening

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#43 German Pavilion Published in: Berliner Morgenpost

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#44 Atomium

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#45 Soviet Pavilion, model of Sputnik 2

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#46 Soviet Pavilion, model of Sputnik 2

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#47 Expo 58, Brussels World’s Fair

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#48 US Pavilion at the Brussels Expo 1958

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#49 The first thing that strikes the eye of a visitor to the 1958 World’s Fair is the 320 foot high Atomium.

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#50 Le Roi Baudoin.

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#51 Le Roi Baudoin.

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#52 Le Roi Baudoin.

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#53 Brussels World’s Fair

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#54 Brussels World’s Fair, 1958

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#104 Brussels World’s Fair, 1958

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#105 Water Stairs and Atomium.

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#106 Belgium Square and Reception Hall.

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#107 On the Overpass (or Passerelle) just inside the main entrance to the Fair.

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#108 Looking down from the Overpass (or Passerelle).

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#109 Beneath the Overpass (or Passerelle) & the Aerial Tramway Terminus.

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#110 Pavilion of Thailand and Passerelle (overhead walkway).

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#111 Soviet Pavilion.

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#112 Inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#113 Inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#114 Inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#115 Inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#116 Inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#117 Viticulture Display inside the Soviet Pavilion.

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#118 American Pavilion.

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#119 American Pavilion.

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#120 The oculus in the dome of the American Pavilion.

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#121 American Pavilion.

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#122 Czechoslovakian Pavilion.

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#123 Inside the courtyard of the Czechoslovak Pavilion.

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#124 Looking towards the steeple of the Vatican Pavilion.

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#125 Commerce Pavilion, Benelux Avenue.

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#126 Pavilion of Nicaragua.

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#127 Pavilion of the United Kingdom.

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#128 British Industry Pavilion.

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#129 Belgian Congo Mines Pavilion.

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#130 The Phillips Pavilion.

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#131 West German Pavilion.

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#132 Sculpture of The Horse Bayard (by Olivier Strebelle) in front of the Bell Telephone Pavilion.

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#133 Glass Industries, Ceramics, and Terracotta Pavilion.

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#134 Iranian Pavilion.

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#135 Aluminium Pavilion next to Atomium.

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#136 The Atomium from the Skyway.

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#137 Atomium from Avenue de Belgique.

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#138 The Atomium from the Skyway.

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#139 Atomium.

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#140 Atomium from near the Luxembourg Pavilion.

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