Bubbleator Operator's chair from Century 21 Seattle World's Fair, ca. 1962
The Bubbleator was a bubble-shaped elevator featured in the World of Tomorrow exhibit at the 1962 Century 21 Seattle World's Fair. Installed in the Washington State Coliseum as part of the exhibit "Century 21 - The Threshold and The Threat," the Bubbleator took passengers from the ground level to the exhibit experience on the second floor. The Bubbleator Operator, dressed in a futuristic silver costume, worked the controls from this chair. "Step to the rear of the sphere. We only have room for 100 of you," he intoned as guests boarded. "Step off into the future," he'd say when the doors opened. "We all have to do that sometime." After the fair, the Bubbleator was installed in the Center House (now known as the Armory) until 1984. It’s original home, the Washington State Coliseum, is now known as Climate Pledge Arena.
