56 years ago the Monsanto House of the Future was opening at Disneyland and stayed at the entrance of Tomorrowland during ten years. Here is a tribute to the "House of the future" with historical pictures and a real treasure videos!
The attraction offered a tour of a home of the future, set in the year 1986, Built of plastics, a revolutionary material at that time, the four wing"ultra-modern" House of the Future was on display from 1957 to 1967 at the entrance of Tomorrowland.The House of the Future featured the latest in furniture and appliances along with intercoms and other gadgets that were not common in 1957. For instance, it featured household appliances such as microwave ovens, which eventually were invented and became commonplace.
The house survived the introduction of New Tomorrowland in 1967, but closed shortly after, as Monsanto's attention shifted to their new sponsored attraction, Adventure Thru Inner Space. The building was so sturdy, that when demolition crews tried to knock out walls with a wrecking ball, the ball bounced off. Hacksaws were required to take the building apart, piece by piece.
However, it didn't remove all the house. The support pillars were rated for earthquakes, so when the construction reached them, most couldn't be removed. These few remaining pillars are still visible in Neptune's Grotto, the location of the exterior gardens of the house.
A good friend and faithful Disney and more reader also sent to me this rare article that he found in an old issue of Popular Science Magazine. And it's a very interesting one. Not only because it talks of the Monsanto House of the Future, but because the date of the article is April 1956! And so what, you ask? Well, you see, Disneyland's House of the Future didn't opened in 1956 but in 1957, one year later! Which means what? On the cover of this April 1956 issue, the title was "1956 Home Show" and the article was called "Plastic House of the Future" and not the "House of the Future". The good question of course is: Did Walt learned about the Monsanto's house thanks to the article or did he knew about it before? We'll probably never have the answer, but the article is fascinating. Have a look and don't miss the page with the plan of the House of the Future!
A while ago i've found the image below. This one is not related to the House of the Future, but it's from the same era and the picture - which show another kind of "house of the future" is pretty cool, so i add it here. Double-click on it to see it in big size.
This last picture shows the great replica designed by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily for Disney shopping.com fduring Disneyland 50th anniversary!
And now, here is a great document with this two part Monsanto video that will show you how amazing - specially in 1960's - the House of the Future was. Don't miss it, it's just like if you were there, inside the House of the Future, 50 years ago!
Photos: copyright Disney
Video: copyright Monsanto and Disney
All my thanks to Macmouse4 for the great Youtube video
A little non-Disney video to end this week-end. After the two recent articles on Disneyland's House of the Future, i found this video showing the finalists of the Electrolux Design Lab 2009.
Great design and great ideas, it would be great if these products were released for real in the future! Have a look at the video below! More infos available on their site HERE.
A good friend and faithful Disney and more reader sent to me recently this rare article that he found in an old issue of Popular Science Magazine.
And it's a very interesting one. Not only because it talks of the Monsanto House of the Future, but because the date of the article is April 1956! And so, you ask? Well, you see, Disneyland's House of the Future was not open in 1956. In fact, it opened in 1957, one year later!
Which means what? On the cover of this April 1956 issue, the title was "1956 Home Show" and the article was called "Plastic House of the Future" and not the "House of the Future". The good question of course is: Did Walt learned about the Monsanto's house thanks to the article or did he knew about it before? We'll probably never have the answer, but the article is fascinating. Have a look and don't miss the page with the plan of the House of the Future!
A while ago i've found the image below. This one is not related to the House of the Future, but it's from the same era and the picture - which show another kind of "house of the future" is pretty cool, so i add it here. Double-click on it to see it in big size.
The Monsanto House of the Future was a Disneyland attraction sponsored by Monsanto Company and today let's have a tribute to the "House of the future" with pictures and a real treasure video!
The attraction offered a tour of a home of the future, set in the year 1986, Built of plastics, a revolutionary material at that time, the four wing"ultra-modern" House of the Future was on display from 1957 to 1967 at the entrance of Tomorrowland.The House of the Future featured the latest in furniture and appliances along with intercoms and other gadgets that were not common in 1957. For instance, it featured household appliances such as microwave ovens, which eventually were invented and became commonplace.
The house survived the introduction of New Tomorrowland in 1967, but closed shortly after, as Monsanto's attention shifted to their new sponsored attraction, Adventure Thru Inner Space. The building was so sturdy, that when demolition crews tried to knock out walls with a wrecking ball, the ball bounced off. Hacksaws were required to take the building apart, piece by piece.
However, it didn't remove all the house. The support pillars were rated for earthquakes, so when the construction reached them, most couldn't be removed. These few remaining pillars are still visible in Neptune's Grotto, the location of the exterior gardens of the house.
This last picture shows the great replica designed by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily for Disney shopping.com for Disneyland 50th anniversary
And now, here is a great document with this two part Monsanto video that will show you how amazing - specially in 1960's - the House of the Future was. Don't miss it, it's just like if you were there, inside the House of the Future, 50 years ago!
Last week we saw the LIFE magazine colour pictures shoot at Disneyland in the 50's, and today here is the part two, with the black and white pictures, thanks to LIFE photographers.
Above, a Ralph Crane picture of a WED Enterprises Imagineer working on a Pirates of Caribbean Audio-Animatronic.
A Main Street U.S.A Fire Dept vehicle. Picture by Ralph Crane.
In 1960, the "Bank of America", outside...
...and inside. Pictures by Ralph Crane.
Below, of course, the Mark Twain river boat at night in 1961...
...and a party on the same Mark Twain - Pictures by J. R. Eyerman.
One of the snakes during the Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland ride in 1960. Picture by Ralph Crane.
Skyway over Fantasyland in October 1958. Picture by Ralph Crane.
And riding on Alice in Wonderland the same month and year.
The Mad Hatter's Tea Cups, in June 1961. Picture by Grey Villet.
Driving on Autopia in October 1958. Picture by Ralph Crane.
In June 1960 Disneyland guests enjoying view of the "bottom of the sea" in the Submarine ride.
And i've kept the best one for the end: who wouldn't have enjoyed to take his shower in Monsanto's House of the Future? This little girl did it in May 1957! Picture by Ralph Crane.
Nearly 50 years after the opening of the House of the future, the new Disneyland's Innoventions Dream Home is now open! The grand Opening was June 16, and Mouseinfo.com filmed all the ceremony and the exhibit - you'll see below more videos on specific parts of the exhibit thanks to the good work of the great team of ehomeupgrade, but before you get more details with the official press release below, let's begin by the beginning, i.e the opening.
Imagine a home so perfectly attuned to the needs of a family that it can anticipate and fulfill them, virtually without anyone lifting a finger. Now imagine that the home offers family members high-tech connectivity, not just with one another but with people, entertainment and information in the world at large.
Guests at Disneyland can soon do more than imagine it. Beginning June 17, the Innoventions Dream Home in Tomorrowland is bringing that world to life as a limited number of guests have the opportunity to preview the home.
The Innoventions Dream Home is both a show and a showcase, offering guests of all ages a hands-on experience with new in-home technologies, some that are practical and some that are astounding. Microsoft, HP, Life|ware and homebuilder Taylor Morrison have joined with Disneyland Resort to demonstrate how a connected digital lifestyle can simplify and enhance many aspects of daily family life.
"We're thrilled to open the Innoventions Dream Home with the help of our partners," said Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland Resort. "We are confident our guests will find new ways to connect to their world in this immersive, entertaining experience."
The experience includes guest interaction with the residents of the Dream Home - the fictional Elias family – who will be excited to welcome all guests into their new home at the end of June. Members of the family move from room to room, utilizing the technology as they prepare for a big celebration. Guests who enter the Dream Home can observe and play with all its comforts, including: Innovations from Microsoft that enable today’s digital lifestyle, seamlessly connecting family members to live and recorded entertainment and memories Connected entertainment devices and PCs from HP that help the family members stay connected and simplify their daily activities Wireless technology adapted by Life|ware that allows the Dream Home’s devices to recognize individual family members as they enter a room and tailor the room to their individual preferences
Here is the "lifeware' demo video
“It’s both ‘high-tech’ and ‘high-touch,’” said Greg Atkins, writer and director for the free-form Innoventions Dream Home experience. “We’ll be showcasing technology that connects families to each other, their home, the surrounding community and the world. And many of the innovative things our guests will be playing with are actually available today.”
The user-friendly technology of the Innoventions Dream Home is on display from the moment guests approach the entrance to “360 Tomorrowland Way” (a whimsical reference to the circular “carousel” structure of the Innoventions building). Each room offers new experiences and surprises.
Front Yard
A member of the Elias family greets guests as they approach the front door of the Dream Home. Today, the family member announces, everyone is invited to visit as the family prepares a party to celebrate younger son Robbie’s amazing soccer goal, which earned his team a victory in the Nationals and a spot at the International Soccer Championships in China.
The Front Yard also introduces guests to the ease, function and connectivity of the Dream Home. With the touch of a button, the family can change the outside appearance of the Dream Home. Today, they’ll be decorating for Robbie’s celebration, but they can also easily decorate for the holidays.
The Dream Home “recognizes” members of the Elias family as they enter the home. The dog door even recognizes the family dog!
Foyer & Great Room
Upon entering the Dream Home, guests may explore on their own in several directions. Whichever direction they choose, they will enter through the Foyer and Great Room, which showcases many of the connected personal features of the home.
As the Dream Home notes the presence of individual members of the Elias family, the surroundings in the Great Room – pictures on the walls, music in the sound system – automatically adjust to the preferences of the family member who is in the room.
At the Grand Piano in one corner, a would-be virtuoso can take a master class from a teacher on the other side of the country. Technology lets the teacher do a full demonstration, complete with technique, on the Dream Home piano.
In the center of the room, next to the family’s easy chairs and ottomans, is a “coffee table book” that is actually an interactive touch screen with content from the library. The book will display the original manuscript of “Alice in Wonderland.” Guests and Elias family members can turn the pages of the book simply by touching the screen.
Kitchen
Like most kitchens, the Elias family Kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food. It’s where the calendar is kept, and where family photos and works of art are displayed. New technology enables all of this, with a virtual bulletin board that posts all the latest messages about soccer schedules, along with digital photos and versions of the kids’ hand-drawn creations.
Since this Dream Home Kitchen is fully interconnected, appliances can “talk” to one another. So can the grocery items! If Mrs. Elias puts a bag of flour on the counter, the computer voice of “Lillian” will provide recipes and instructions to prepare the meals. If ingredients are missing or out-of-date, the interconnected pantry and refrigerator will share the information and create a shopping list on the virtual bulletin board.
Here is the "smart kitchen" demo video
Dining Room
Like most families, the Elias family gathers around the dinner table to discuss the day’s events, and the day of Robbie’s soccer victory has been a special one. The Dining Room table is a large interactive surface, inlayed with computers, and when the family sets down their mobile phones on the table, photos and videos spill across the screens. Then the family can interact with, view and enlarge the images with a simple touch.
The Dining Room table can also be used to create art, do homework, and assemble video puzzles – with multiple family members all at once.
A Dining Room memory cabinet displays photos and art appropriate to any occasion, triggered by objects placed on its shelf.
Here are two videos of the Microsoft "Surface" dining table, and the technology looks great!
Family Room/Home Office
The entertainment center in the Dream Home Family Room is a movie lover’s dream. With the touch of a button, the room transforms into a state-of-the-art home theater. The curtains close, the lights adjust, the 7.1 surround sound kicks in, and the 100-inch television screen comes to life with one of the movies stored in the Media Center.
Across the room is the Home Office, with desk and chair inspired by the classic design of Walt Disney’s own Studio office. Here, Elias family members can attend to the business of the day, including communication with the Chinese soccer team that will meet Robbie’s team when it arrives for the contest. A 3-D Printer enables the Chinese hosts to send a congratulatory three-dimensional gift directly to the Elias home.
Teen Daughter’s Room
At her desk, the Elias family daughter can connect with friends or her favorite entertainment. As she develops new interests, she can easily change the photos and posters in her room.
But she may be spending much of her time in front of the Magic Mirror, a virtual mirror that projects accessories, hairstyles and the clothes from her closet onto her reflection, fitting the styles to her body so that she can try out different “looks” as she prepares for her brother’s party.
Tip: Watch as she holds the dress up for consideration. The virtual skirt even sways as she twirls around!
Here is a video of this "magic mirror"
Younger Son’s Room
Robbie has a room that would be the envy of any adventurous kid. His bed is a pirate ship, complete with onboard cannon. In the manner of all great Disney attractions, the room combines the latest technology with classic storytelling.
When a family member takes a seat by the bed and begins to tell the story of Peter Pan, the story jumps off the pages. Everyone in the room is immersed in the story with special effects, including video that appears on the ship’s sail and the surrounding walls. Tinker Bell may even breeze past some of the room’s fixtures, causing them to shake and tinkle. The bed-cannon can shoot holes through the virtual clouds, just like the cannon on Captain Hook’s ship.
Very unfortunately, there is no video available yet of the son's room, but let's end with a video of a demo of the amazing HP Touch Smart PC, it worth the look!
You can learn more about the Disneyland's Innoventions Dream Home on the Disneyland press web site, fun facts, official video, etc, HERE
Photos: copyright Disney
Youtube videos; copyright Mouseinfo.com and ehomeupgrade
Built of plastics, a revolutionary material at that time, the four wing"ultra-modern" House of the Future was on display from 1957 to 1967 at the entrance of Tomorrowland at Disneyland.The House of the Future featured the latest in furniture and appliances along with intercoms and other gadgets that were not common in most homes at the time.
Now comes at Disneyland's Innoventions the "Dream Home". Last week, the Disneyland Resort announced a five-year alliance with Microsoft, HP, Life|ware and home builder Taylor Morrison to showcase integrated digital technologies for the home in the immersive, story-telling experiences for which Disney is known. The alliance includes the design and development of the new Innoventions Dream Home attraction, a 5,000+ sq. ft. home belonging to the fictional Elias family, scheduled to open in May in Tomorrowland at the Disneyland Resort.
Keeping with Walt’s vision of bringing cutting-edge and inspiring ideas to Tomorrowland, the Innoventions Dream Home will introduce Disneyland guests to newly available technology from the participating companies that will enhance their lives today, while providing them a glimpse of the emerging digital advances they may find in their homes in the future. The attraction will provide guests with a “high-tech, high-touch” opportunity to experience technology in an entertaining, low-risk environment showing them how the power of technology can connect them to the people and things they care most about.
The technology companies will showcase a wide range of technologies and products in the exhibit, including the latest in mobile phones, PCs, digital music and gaming. The Innoventions Dream Home demonstrates how home technology can be simple, intuitive and fun while helping guests understand how to seamlessly interconnect their home, the surrounding community and the world, helping consumers stay closer to the people, places and entertainment that are most important to them. The alliances also help ensure that the Innoventions Dream Home remains on the forefront of technology with the newest devices and products as part of the exhibit.
Guests will actively engage in this experience as they help members of the fictional Elias family prepare for a trip to World Soccer Championships in China, where their son is competing. Elias family members rotate throughout the house, randomly interacting with guests in the various rooms.
So, this "Dream Home" will open in may, but before, let's have a tribute to the "House of the future" , with the pictures below.
This last picture is the great replica designed by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily for Disney shopping.com
But the great document is this two part Monsanto video below that will show you how amazing, specially in 1960's the House of the Future was. Don't miss it, it's just like if you were there, 40 years ago!
Photos: copyright Disney
Video: copyright Monsanto and Disney
All my thanks to Macmouse4 for the great Youtube video
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The placemaking of Disney California Adventure comes to an end June 15 with the opening of Buena vista Blvd, the Carthay Circle Theater, Cars Land, and much more!
HKDL new land includes the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars ride and the town of Grizzly Gulch and it's the first new land with a Frontierland style built by WDI Imagineers since 20 years!
However, it didn't remove all the house. The support pillars were rated for earthquakes, so when the construction reached them, most couldn't be removed. These few remaining pillars are still visible in Neptune's Grotto, the location of the exterior gardens of the house.
