Here are two examples of old-school multimedia spectacles. Although neither examples is accessed from behind a computer, both are computer-controlled systems that use recorded audio as a key component for producing unique experiences for their participants.
Wanamaker’s (now Macy’s) Christmas Light Show
Wanamaker's Christmas Light Show
The Wanamaker department store in Philadelphia has had an animated Christmas show set to music with audio narration since 1956. It is hard to believe that such an animated, computer-controlled show existed in 1956 – but it is the kind of thing that would have made me giddy as a child.
The show has gone through several iterations with and without an animated “magic” Christmas trees and a synchronized “Dancing Waters” fountain, the updated display features a new, larger tree and energy-efficient LED lights. The store itself has gone through numerous owners and names, and now exists as a Macy’s – but even in the era of 3D IMAX films, the show continues to attract and enchant Philadelphia shoppers.
The Grand Haven Musical Fountain
Grand Haven Musical Fountain by Flickr user Adam 【Rez】
While fountains choreographed to music have been around for quite awhile, this one is particularly interesting because the community that owns and maintains it opens the selection of the audio track and the choreography to anyone. The pubic can visit the fountain’s website to request songs, download the software needed to generate new choreography, or to upload newly choreographed sequences which rotate through the fountain’s season of evening shows.
Wouldn’t it be great if the Seattle Center’s International Fountain used crowd-sourcing to achieve a similar level of community participation and content, as opposed to rotating through five different programs?
Yes, if Sea Ctr used crowdsourcing it’d be AWESOME.