Several architects, including Harry Weese, would later claim to have been discussing the idea ever since plans for a 1976 World's Fair in Philadelphia faltered.
The idea appeared in a 1977 newspaper article written by Charles Brubaker, vice-president of the architecture firm Perkins and Will.
[7] In 1978, officials from the City of Chicago indicated their interest in potentially hosting a future world's fair to the BIE.
[7] In 1980, Harry Weese met with business leaders including Thomas Ayers for a breakfast meeting at the Tribune Tower for the purpose of discussing means to "improve the image of Chicago".
[7] In October 1980, United States Secretary of Commerce Philip Klutznick notified the BIE that they intended to submit an application.
Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne directly communicated her support for the fair to BIE president Patrick Reid.
By November, United States President Ronald Reagan endorsed the planned fair and offered support and assistance.
[10] On June 24, 1982, the Bureau of International Expositions provisionally approved both Paris' and Chicago's proposed exhibitions, waiving the rule that mandated that "universal expositions" be held at least ten years apart, while also provisionally approving for Seville to host a "general exhibition" in 1992.
[7][11] Chicago proposed hosting a fair in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the "New World".
[7] The land used would include Grant Park,[10] and would massively expand the lakefront parkland on the Near South Side.
Proposed infrastructure improvements included widening Lake Shore Drive and the Dan Ryan Expressway, upgrading roads in the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Chinatown.
The fair struggled to amass solidified financial pledges from private industry or from state and local governments.
[8] The 1984 Louisiana World Exposition financially failed and declared bankruptcy, imperiling the embattled Chicago fair effort.
[9] That month, a legislative advisory panel issued a report declaring that, "proceeding with the fair as planned would be a misguided economic decision.
[4] In December 1987, the BIE formally withdrew its sanction for a 1992 Chicago universal exposition, officially preventing its revival.