Eastman Kodak Company (founded 1888)

The 1982 World’s Fair, The Week of May 9–May 15, 1982

A week when the future was on display — Knoxville, 1982

An official Kodak promotional brochure produced for the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, combining fair maps, daily schedules, photography tips, and period advertising. Issued as a free handout and sponsored by Kodak as the “Official Film of the 1982 World’s Fair,” this example captures both the visitor experience and corporate visual culture of early 1980s America.

Physical description: Single folded brochure, full color throughout, multiple panels, approximate folded size 8.5 x 4 inches, unfolded to poster-style format, illustrated maps, schedules, advertisements, coupon panel, Kodak branding, no pagination

Condition statement: Folded pamphlet remains intact and supple, light handling wear along folds, colors strong and legible, no tears observed, clean overall presentation, original 1982 promotional issue

Scarcity note: Ephemeral material from the 1982 World’s Fair was produced for short-term use and discarded, surviving Kodak-issued brochures in clean condition are increasingly uncommon.

This brochure functions as both a practical guide and a marketing artifact. It includes a detailed fairground map with designated photo sites, daily entertainment schedules for May 9 through May 15, photography tips tailored to amateur visitors, and Kodak product promotion. The design reflects Kodak’s effort to align its brand with family travel, technological optimism, and personal documentation at a major international exposition.

Contextual or historical significance
The 1982 World’s Fair, officially the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, marked a transitional moment between Cold War futurism and consumer-focused technology culture. Kodak’s sponsorship underscores the central role of analog photography in documenting large public events before the digital turn. No film adaptation applies, non-fiction ephemera

Subjects: 1982 World’s Fair Knoxville, Eastman Kodak Company promotions, photography instruction, corporate sponsorship, international expositions, 1980s graphic design, travel ephemera, World’s fair ephemera, Corporate advertising, Americana.

Item #21416

Price: $18.00