Commerce in the 21st Century

A FEW YEARS AGO when E82 wasn’t even named yet, one aspect of this Project was always going to be collectable merchandise. As a graphic designer, I’ve always enjoyed seeing my designs exist beyond the computer screen and this Café-Press-World of easy customization has made such niche markets possible. The Centorium store was created to celebrate the World of E82 by providing followers and myself a marketplace for products that pay tribute to the Epcot that Was, Is and What Could Be. My decision to open a store on Zazzle.com was not done lightly, as I had been warned about such nasty and frightening things like copyright infringement, and licensing. However, after researching the site numerous times I noticed a few contradictory business practices. Zazzle has an official Walt Disney Company store, yet a simple search reveals over 200 products relating to Epcot all of which are not official products. So, through deductive reasoning I thought that ether it was completely legal to post products or The Company simply did not care about Epcot Products. Either way Zazzle did allow me to post products for sale, or so I thought.
Last week, as I was trying to buy one of my own products my order was cancelled for “Content” concerns. I’m usually very English about these things. (I don’t complain, I just don’t come back.) but in this case the E82 Poster is so (legally) abstract that I had to find out what the problem was. Several emails later I discovered that ANYTHING can be posted for sale and only when someone purchases an item is it reviewed. (1)
As a result, the Centorium is (once again) closed. My only true concern is that some of you may have received similar emails in attempting to purchase my products. (By the Way, did ANYONE every try to buy something?) THE GOOD NEWS is that several designs are now free to be posted on my Flickr account. This also allows me to explain some of the finer details of some works without appearing too commercial. Works like this…

The Original Poster launching The E82 Project on January 11th 2010 Features an accurate Credit Roll containing many of the individuals involved with the creation of EPCOT Center. If the park was a motion picture it would look like this (sans the final credit:).

Footnote:
1. This does clear up a mystery: that to spite my “Kick Ass Original Merchandise Designs” (Thank You, Mesa Verde Times) NO ONE has ever bought any of my products.

Gifts from Future World

www.zazzle.com/epcot1982

E82 is proud to announce the “Re-Opening” of Centorium: EPCOT Center’s largest retail store. It will introduce new products featuring the artwork of E82. When the original Centorium opened it presented unique selection of futuristic items, overall it was equally entertaining and educational. The new store will focus solely on EPCOT’s other goal: Inspiration.
The original Centorium (an amalgam meaning Center Emporium) was remarkably a head of its time. The following News Brief (given only to Cast and Construction Crew) chronicles the first few pieces available to purchase just before the park officially opened…

9/22/82
Futuristic Store Stocks
Flying Saucers, Telescopes and Such

A solar powered flying saucer and a machine that plays chess with a robotic arm are among the futuristic gadgets available in the “department store of tomorrow” – The Centorium. Located in the CommuniCore of Future World, the universal gift emporium features among other things the latest in toys, books, decorative pieces and electronics.
A team of four buyer spent two and one-half years combing major markets and out-of-the-way museum shops for thousand of merchandise items. The result is an amazing array of gismos and gadgets designed to educate, entertain, and stimulate the imagination.
There are toys that run on micro-chips and solar energy, talking calculators, cordless telephones, and a clock that tones the
time when you touch it. The selection of electronic wristwatches would amaze even Dick Tracy. They include AM radio wristwatches and state-of-the-art timepieces with six or more functions.
Small-screen television sets have never been smaller. Color screens come in 2.7 inch diagonal size. A black white counterpart come with 1.5 inch diagonal screen, about the size of a matchbook, and has excellent resolution. Jewelry is decidedly different. For instance, the selection includes hologram pendants that are visible in sunlight. Books include “how-to” on such subjects as futuristic homes and vehicles, solar energy, and scinec projects; en “how-to” make your own robot. Model kits include space shittles and geodesic domes ranging from giant to mini-size.

! 9 Days Out !

(From Opening)

A few years later (Fall 1985 to be exact) the Disney News featured an article on Centorium’s role and interconnectivity with Future World’s pavilions…

"Centorium, the largest shop in EPCOT Center, is located within CommuniCore and features wares related to other areas of Future World. Here you can find the very latest in electronic toys and games, gadgets that entertain, and gizmos that educate, amuse, and appeal to the imagination. There are books, puzzles, science kits, computes and even robots – like OMNIBOT. ..

UNIVERSE OF ENERGY
Universe of Energy is presented by Exxon within a dynamic solar power structure covered with glistening photovoltaic cells. It displays the history and new frontiers of energy by means of colorful kinetic film images, a primeval diorama, and motion pictures projected on a giant 218-degree wraparound screen.
Centorium Captures the essence of this energy experience with a collection of solar toys and sculptures. The radiometer, made in France and one of the oldest examples of solar energy, can be purchased as a child’s toy or as an exquisite glass sculpture. Rainbows of colors, refracted by sunlight, are caught in plastic prisms and metallic mobiles. From miniature models of prehistoric creatures to Space Shuttle toys you’ll find them all in the second level toy department.
HORIZONS
Horizons takes you on a wondrous, realistic journey to four habitats of the future: Nova Cite, and urban community; Mesa Verde, a desert farm settlement; Sea Castle, a floating city; and Brava Centauri, a space colony. Horizons is sponsored by General Electric.
Centorium represents Horizons with modern paintings and prints sculptures, mobiles, laser jewelry and a selection of colorful Prism Clocks that tell time in a depth of changing shapes in space.
WORLD OF MOTION
World of Motion, Presented by General Motors, dramatizes the development and future methods of transportation. Centorium features the newest electronic and remote control toy vehicles. Entertaining and educational today, they may also be prototypes of transportation to come.
THE LAND
The Land tells the story of man’s beneficial interaction with his environment, and his quest for adequate means of meeting the world’s growing need for food. The pictured “Veganimals” characterize the Kitchen Kabaret show there about the benefits of good nutrition. The Land is presented by Kraft, and Centorium highlights it with natural food cookbooks, unique kitchen utensils, dishes, plants and seeds, and Kitchen Kabaret souvenirs.

JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION
Journey into Imagination, presented by Kodak, explores the intricate process of creativity. Two unusual characters serve as guides. Dreamfinder is a jolly, bearded gentleman who symbolizes the mature, accomplished side of imagination. Figment is an impish purple dragon representing, childlike quality of creativity.
Figment can be purchased at Centorium as a child’s plush toy, a charm in gold or silver, or finely sculptured porcelain. Dreamfinder and Figment also have been cast in a 12-inch bronze statue."

For the today’s Centorium, new ideas and concepts are all ways in development (even babies can become E82 fans with our upcoming “Little Sparks” Line) so make sure to check back for new items and updates!