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Buildings were painted in bright colors, usually featuring 4 hues from a palette of 23 colors. A combination of white and colored lights was used to highlight the effect. The views must have been dramatic and breathtaking. In 1934, the colors were "toned-down" slightly -- the number of colors used on the grounds was reduced to 10. The colors in 1934 were also coordinated in a more functional manner, to help guide visitors through the fairground.
[ Top ] Source: http://www.geocities.com/chicagoworldsfair |
The
fair generated great controversy when it was decided to feature an
innovative and vivid color scheme that was referred to as "Rainbow
City". This was in startling contrast to the theme of the
World's Columbian Expositions that was held in Chicago in 1893, which
used the theme, "The White City." 
The architectural commission for the fair, appointed by
the fair's board, was composed of architects of national renown, among
them Hubert Burnham (also a son of Daniel H. Burnham, Sr.), Edward H.
Bennett, and John A. Holabird. Joseph Urban, as director of color, was
responsible for the innovative and controversial color scheme of the
fair --"Rainbow City," the people called it. In contrast to
"The White City" -- the World's Columbian Exposition held in
Chicago in 1893--A Century of Progress was vibrant with color. Buildings
were painted with color schemes, usually of four hues, from the total
palette of 23 colors in 1933; and a more limited range of ten hues in
1934. Night-time illumination with white and colored lights heightened
the effect. In 1934, the coordination of color schemes throughout the
fairground aided the fairgoer in his progress through the grounds.