Our American Crossroads Mechanicals

Crossroads Mechanicals GM Futurliner Restoration Project National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States
HOME '33 World's Fair 1936 Parade 1938 Previews 1941 Parade 1953 Parade 1954 Parade Aero-O-Dome Exhibits Set Up Muddle Science Crossroads Page 2 Mechanicals Cobo Hall Page 2 Soap Box Air Power Sound Power Youth Precision Old Scout Demonstrations Appreciation Letters Futurliner In-Line Six Other Futurliners Paraders Oral Roberts Cathedral Cruiser	Our American Crossroads One of the most popular of the Parade’s exhibits – and certainly one of most complicated ever built – is "Our American Crossroads" in which the audience can watch a village go through 50 years of progress in just 10 minutes. This exhibit was designed to show the role the automobile played in changing the face of America – and not only the nation’s "looks" but also her entire way of life. Four decades are covered in the life of a crossroads community, "Pleasant Corners, U.S.A." To cover these changes the entire scenery is shifted three times – from 1902 to 1920 to 1954. As the sleepy crossroads becomes a modern town, and lanes turn into highways along with streamlined automobiles that scuttle in four lanes of busy traffic. The recorded narration, by Parker Fennelly – the Titus Moody of radio and television fame – tells the story of the town in simple, folksy style.
	Joe Zell, maintenance supervisor, has removed one of the side panels to revel some of the 25 electrical motors and 70 contacts that operate "Our American Crossroads."