Robot advertising for Alpha the Robot while walking through the California Pacific International Exposition near the Cafe of the World, San Diego, [about 1935]
Contributor
West, H. H. (Henry Hebard), 1872-1958 Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor, 1869-1924 Winslow, Carleton Monroe, 1876-1946 Requa, Richard, 1881-1941
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Description
Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. According to the negative sleeve, the photographs in this group were taken in 1931. Key features of these images were nonexistent in 1931. Penguins were not exhibited at the San Diego Zoo until 1933. Alpha the Robot did not appear in the states until late 1934 and was a special attraction in San Diego during the California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936). Based on this, it is most likely that the images were taken about 1935 during the exposition. Photograph of a "robot" walking through the crowds at the California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park as it advertises for Alpha the Robot. The robot stands left-of-center in the foreground and faces towards the right. Signage printed on its metallic chest reads, "See! ALPHA the ROBOT." A woman stands at right, next to the robot; her back is to the camera. Behind the woman and the robot, a car (obscured view) sits atop a pedestal. Signage hangs over the car and faces towards the right; it reads, "TICKETS ARE GIVEN at ALL GATES Deposit Your Stubs," and "[top line unreadable] This FORD V8 SEDAN FREE. WED. OCT. 30 [...] TO WIN YOU MUST BE PRE[SENT...]." Beyond the robot and car, the Cafe of the World (formerly the Home Economy Building) stands in the distance. Trees stand tall above and behind the building. Text from negative sleeve: 1165. San Diego trip 1931. 1. The Fair Grounds. We were with Al Siemsen and Elizabeth. Hebard was along too. 1. Two views of the penguins at the fair. 2. Picture of the Robot walking around. 3 films.
Type
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1998_1165_002 ark:/21198/zz002hsh3d
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Exhibition buildings--California--San Diego Robots Signs (Notices) Costumes--American Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.) California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.)
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