Flashback: Robots Smoked Cigarettes at the 1939 World's Fair - HISTORY

Meant to exhibit the "World of Tomorrow," the 1939 World's Fair in New York City tried to predict what life would be like beyond the 20th century. "Elektro" is a perfect example - a humanoid robot who could enjoy a cigarette while cracking a joke.

FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

RELATED CONTENT

A secretly recorded conversation between President Richard Nixon and his aide H.R. Haldeman on June 23, 1972, reveals the president's involvement in the Watergate break-ins and cover-up. During the conversation, which became known as the "Smoking Gun," Nixon and Haldeman discuss telling Deputy CIA Director Vernon Walters to interfere with FBI Acting Director Pat Gray's investigation. They also mention Mark Felt, then an FBI deputy, who 30 years later revealed himself to be the Watergate whistle blower known as Deep Throat.

As World War II raged in Europe and North Africa, the United States celebrated its Independence Day in July 1941. It was looking increasingly likely that the U.S. would enter the war, and President Franklin Roosevelt delivered an address that equivocated America's own struggle for freedom in the 1700s with the struggle faced by her allies overseas.

1941's Easter celebrations would be the last before the United States officially entered WWII. It was a time to celebrate peace, even under the specter of global war. This episode of Flashback takes a look at how the U.S. celebrated Easter during a time of conflict.

In the shadow of Hitler's rise to power, Americans observe Memorial Day in 1936 with a sense that another worldwide conflict might be on the horizon. General John Pershing, who led America's forces during WWI, argues that peace should be sought at any cost.

In 1967, Philco-Ford produced a short film exploring what the "Home of the Future" might look like. We re-examine this film to see what they got right about the future - and what was wrong with the past.

In the 1950s, cleanliness was king. In this Flashback, learn proper hygiene techniques from Soapy, a talking bar of soap.

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE