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The main themes of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) were science, space and the future. Months before the fair opened, fair organizers urgently sought corporate sponsors to develop educational exhibits that would also showcase their current and future products. The resulting exhibits were a unique combination of popular science, commercialism and entertainment. For example, Ford Motor Company’s “An Adventure in Outer Space” and Boeing’s “Spacearium” were among the most popular fair attractions. Seattle City Light consulted with the various electric utilities in Washington State and together they became the first major industry to sign up as an exhibitor. The end result of this collaboration was the dramatic Pavilion of Electric Power, containing a 40-foot high dam with splashing water and a giant relief map showing the state’s dams.

Seattle City Light also played a key role in fair operations by providing electric power to the grounds. As opening day approached, no one knew in advance the exact amount, timing and location of the power needs. Exhibitors were being signed up right until opening day, and others had not finalized plans to the point where they knew their power requirements. Compounding the challenge, the fairground area had previously been supplied by an overhead line system, which needed to be converted underground without interfering with last minute construction projects.

The fair opened on schedule on April 21, 1962 and closed six months later on October 21st. Nearly 10 million tickets were eventually sold, making the fair a financial success and leaving behind a permanent legacy of public buildings, landmarks and infrastructure at the site now known as the Seattle Center.