Science Advancing Mankind

摘要

Visitors to the 1933 Chicago World's Fair could not help but be impressed by the imposing Fountain of Science in the open air rotunda of the main entrance at the Hall of Science. Fair planners had placed the Hall of Science at the focal point in the fairgrounds in order to showcase the fair's theme, "A Century of Progress," through the hall's architecture, sculpture, murals, and exhibits. The fountain could be viewed from the outdoor terrace on the main level, from the rotunda on the ground level, and from the Sky Ride rocket cars traversing above. As a promotional flyer explained, "the theme of this fountain--Science Advancing Mankind--is represented by the great robot-like figure typifying the exactitude, force and onward movement of science, with its powerful hands at the backs of the figures of a man and a woman, representing mankind." The robot, man, and woman stood on a pedestal surrounded by a pool of water, with eight smaller pools below. At the base of each pool was a relief panel portraying one of the basic sciences: astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, medicine, and geology. The sculpture and the panels provided fairgoers with an interpretive vision of the origins of science and its role in modern American society. Amazingly, fair officials gave the responsibility of executing this pivotal artistic endeavor to a local woman sculptor.