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In The Hall Of Science, 1933: Warm Springs Represented At Century Of Progress

Creator: Paul Rogers (author)
Date: July 1933
Publication: The Polio Chronicle
Source: Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation Archives


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A THRILLING story of the achievements of mankind in the past hundred years is told at the Century of Progress, Chicago's second international exposition. Signalizing man's marvelous development of the inter-relation of electricity and light, a beam of light that started from the star Aroturus during Chicago's first exposition, the Columbian Exposition of 1893, was used to initiate the illumination of the 1933 Fair.

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Imagine a fascinating encyclopedia come to life and spread out for all to see. That is literally what the exposition is, the story of man's mastery over nature. No more pointed or worthwhile story is told at the exposition than the story of Warm Springs, which is presented in a modest booth located in the Hall of Science building. The official location is Booth 1, Group K.

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The exhibit tells pictorially the story of the work that is being done by the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. The leading feature of the exhibit is a collection of 42 original drawings, showing the changes in the human skeleton traceable to muscle damage by infantile paralysis. This collection is the property of Dr. Michael Hoke, and was loaned by him for the exhibit, which will continue until November first. It attracts much interest from the hundreds of visitors that daily inspect the Foundation's display.

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The drawings present a vivid picture of the structural changes in the human form, which can be remedied only through orthopedic surgery. They teach the simple yet serious lesson that incorrect position and muscle imbalance produce contractures, that contractures produce serious deformity of position, and that these deformities, if allowed to persist, produce deformities of the bone. The moral pointed is that such gross architectural changes in the skeleton can be prevented by careful, protective attention.

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Three large aerial pictures give a clear view of the patients' pool and the Foundation community as a whole. Another feature of the pictorial story is a group of pictures showing exercises being given in the Warm Springs water. These pictures are almost unbelievably clear and are the result of a great deal of trial and previously unsuccessful experimenting. In some, it is barely possible to make out the water line that represents the surface of the pool.

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In addition to these still pictures, an automatic movie machine projects on a ground glass screen a motion picture outline of the activities at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. The picture is a recent film of Warm Springs taken in the last three weeks. It was edited by the Foundation professional staff and photographed by Maurice Finney, Warm Springs alumnus who is spending his vacation here.

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The booth itself is done in a deep ivory tone, and presents an appearance of utter simplicity. In the erection and decoration of the Foundation exhibit, Mr. Henry Pope, Chicago Trustee of the Foundation, aided greatly, even loaning a part of his business personnel to help in the arrangement of the booth. Miss Toi Batchelder, a former Foundation patient, was in charge of the exhibit for a few days, but was forced to give up the post for another position. She was replaced by Miss May Jackson, who is the person in charge at present. Miss Jackson reports attendance of from several hundred to as many as three thousand persons daily.

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Copies of the POLIO CHRONICLE are on display, and visitors to the booth may ask for a three-months complimentary subscription to the CHRONICLE. Already a large number of requests have been received.

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There are hundreds of wheelchairs available at the exposition. The chairs are of the type used at the resorts, such as Atlantic City and Palm Beach. Rental prices with attendants are one dollar an hour, but we are informed that a special price can be obtained for anyone wanting a chair for a half a day or more. One Warm Springs alumnus, Boyd White, of Summit, N. J., has already done the Fair, taking it on his way home for the summer. His reports are very enthusiastic.

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The Hall of Science building is a vast and impressive structure. It is built on the edge of a lagoon that opens into beautiful Lake Michigan, with a spacious court in the interior of the building, terraces, pylons, and a lofty tower from which the notes of a carillon sound the passing of the hours. The structure is indeed an enchanting place for those who visit this great exposition. When you go to the Fair, you will find the Hall of Science at 16th Street entrance. You will have to navigate three small steps and a ramp. Maybe the next Century of Progress will see the steps eliminated.

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