GM Parade of Progress

GM Parade of Progress
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National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States

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1953 Parade

1954 Parade
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1953 Parade of Progress Painting
    A picture of this painting was used for the cover of the 1953 GM Annual Report. The painting was commissioned by artist John Falter in 1953. He was asked to go out to a Parade of Progress event and capture on canvas the essence of the event.
    Mr. Falter took lots of photos and when he got back to his studio, he laid them all out and started his painting. One of the photographs is said to be this black and white with a picture of a child asleep in his Taylor Tot stroller. He incorporated this photo into the painting. Unfortunately the child is a bit hard to find in the painting but the painting was entitled, "We Hope To Set A Boy Too Dreaming."
    The painting was reduced to fit the cover of the Annual Report and it wrapped around from front to back. The fact that GM saw fit to commission a painting and use it on the cover of their Annual Report, points out the importance and pride that they took in putting on the show.

The Parade of Progress was the brainchild of Charles F. Kettering who was inspired by GM's popular Science and Technology Exhibit at the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair. Kettering convinced GM board chairman Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. and public relations vice president Paul Garrett to take these educational exhibits on the road. The depression-weary public eagerly attended movies, shows, fairs, or any sort of entertainment that took their minds of the country's plight.

John Ryan, Parade of Progress Director, was instrumental in keeping the show on the road for the American Public to view.

"Boss" Kettering, GM Vice President, was instrumental in getting Alfred P. Sloan, Jr.'s support to put the Science and Technology Exhibit from the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair on the road.

On February 11, 1936, the Parade of Progress made its debut in Lakeland, Florida. With the exception of the war years, the show ran until 1956.