The 1982 World’s Fair

The Official Map of the 1982 World’s Fair.

This convenient and colorful guide to the 1982 World’s Fair was copywritten by MAPAC, Inc. about a month before the event was to begin. Over forty different locations of interest are identified throughout the grounds, though small text in the lower right notes “ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL AND CORPORATE EXHIBITS ARE LIKELY.” The verso presents a Greater Knoxville City Map, a street plan of downtown, and a simple driving diagram of the Eastern U.S.

The 1982 World’s Fair, officially known as the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, was held in Knoxville, Tennessee, and centered on the theme of energy and technological innovation. Featuring pavilions from 22 countries, including the prominent U.S. pavilion with a fusion energy exhibit, the fair attracted over 11 million visitors and showcased advancements in alternative energy sources. It’s motto was “Energy Turns the World” and one of the highlights was the monument Sunsphere, still standing in World’s Fair Park.