Hitachi - Expo Osaka 1970
Who could fly in a flying saucer?
This was your chance at the Hitachi Group pavilion.
"Search - invitation to the unknown" was the theme of the pavilion in the shape of a flying saucer.
Go to the "sky" at the very top of the pavilion by taking a 40-metre long escalator. Then you went down to the landing area of the spaceship on a giant two-storey lift (with a capacity of 260 people) which took you to the heart of the building.
You were seated in one of 16 cockpits (each holding 80 passengers). You could be chosen to be the 'co-pilot' of the shuttle.
For 10 minutes, you were treated to a remarkable experience with a new flying sensation, thanks to the computer. You 'flew' to the destination of your choice in a realistic simulated flight.
And what did you do next?
Well, you were given the chance to see behind the scenes with the computers and all the mechanism and equipment that created the sensation of flying.
Other features of the pavilion were a lounge at the top of the pavilion with a transparent canopy where more conventional scenes could be seen.
A large 4 x 3 metre colour television screen was also present, as well as a laser beam system, the largest of its kind in the world.
Various programmes, including scenes from the exhibition, were broadcast.
"Harmonising science and humanity", said the sponsors, was the basic concept of the Hitachi exhibition.