The 1958 Brussels World’s Fair was the first major Expo following World War II. It was the 11th World’s Fair hosted by Belgium and the fifth in Brussels following those held in 1888, 1897, 1910 and 1935. Approximately 45,454,412 people attended from April 17 to Oct. 19. Belgium to date has not arranged any more world fairs.

Among the many countries represented was the United States at its own pavilion. Situated in the heart of the Foreign Section at the Square of Nations, the American pavilion, designed by architect Edward D. Stone, comprised four separate buildings, three drum-like structures and one consisting of joined railroad boxes on stilts.

In these connecting pieces, “the American Way of Life” was showcased. The smallest drum housed an 1,150-seat auditorium where a Disney-produced movie “America the Beautiful” was continually running. Elsewhere were other staged demonstrations such as an electronic computer that revealed a knowledge of hist...