The other day I was rereading Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality, a book by Alain Littaye & Didier Dhez.  This 320-page hardcover pictorial documents the history of Disney's park in France, first known as Euro Disneyland.  Originally written in French and featuring many photos, detailed stories, and concept art, I was able to get one of 3,000 limited copies of the English edition a few years ago.

1999's "El" Train: Chicago

The above image from the book caught my eye because it mentioned Chicago, but is illustrated as to reflect a 1900's Victorian view of the future.  Posters like the above for many U.S. cities sit in Disneyland Paris' Discovery Arcade, one of two "back hallways" that run parallel to Main Street U.S.A. — a feature unique to the Paris park.

All I know is that Chicago sure didn't look like that in 1999! It is interesting, however, to note that the art was probably done by a non-Chicagoan, as we use the 'L' as shorthand for our train cars, not 'El'.  In any case, I'd totally want to ride a train through a steampunk-inspired world that reflected the writings of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. But I'm sure there would also be some sort of Windy City corruption that would ruin it all. And then the mayor would probably want to privatize the rail cars or something. Don't get me started on the air traffic problems we'd probably see at O'Hare with that flying hot air balloon/plane thingy.

Maybe it's good that we didn't get this type of future after all!