Urso Chappell is known to everyone with an interest in world expos. A noted historian on world’s fairs, Urso curates ExpoMuseum, the best online resource spanning London in 1851 to Yeosu, Milan and beyond.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Urso lives in San Francisco which is just across the Pacific for his frequent visits to Shanghai in the coming year.

World Expo Blog: What is your first memory of a World Fair or Expo?

Urso Chappell: Growing up, I’d heard all about my great-grandmother going to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Incidentally, it was the first expo with a China Pavilion.

When plans were being made to host the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, I urged my parents to let us go. As a 15-year-old, I was enthralled with every aspect of the expo: the architecture, the exhibits, the people, and the general atmosphere. That world’s fair also featured the first pavilion from the People’s Republic of China. After 1982, I couldn’t wait to go to the next expo.

I’ve now been to visit seven expos, started ExpoMuseum.com in 1998, and had one of my designs chosen in an international competition for Expo 2005.

WEB: What is the role of World Expos today?

UC: Like any medium, the role of expos is constantly changing. Recent themes have been more environmental in nature and I’m pleased that more and more countries are getting involved and that smaller cities and developing nations are starting to become actively involved and bidding for future expos.

However, the basic role of world’s fairs hasn’t changed: they’re still about learning and inspiring. When talking to people about their expo memories, they’ll mention specific buildings and exhibits, but the most important role they have is in changing people’s viewpoints: It opens people’s eyes to different possibilities, different cultures, and different ways of thinking about things.

I’m pleased that more and more people have access to this medium as new cities and countries participate.

WEB: What is your impression of World Expo 2010 Shanghai?

UC: First of all, I’m simply amazed at the scale of Expo 2010. Visiting the site under construction, I was struck by just how massive the site is and wondering just how many days it will take to try to see every pavilion. It took me 6 days to visit every pavilion at Germany’s Expo 2000 and that site is less than one-third of Shanghai’s. 1904 St. Louis has held the record for largest expo In history by area. In May, that record will be held by 2010 Shanghai.

Every host country puts its mark on the medium and I’m excited to see not just what China does with Expo 2010, but what gets carried through to future expos.

WEB: What is your connection to Expo 2010?

UC: Not currently, but I’m looking for opportunities to contribute. I hope to be on-site during the entire 6-month run of Expo 2010. I have more information about myself at www.UrsoChappell.com and would welcome any contacts or leads.

Urso Chappell with Peter Sams, director of the Australian Pavilion, Michael Darragh and Lina Han from Ogilvy PR Worldwide.

WEB: Which pavilion(s) are you most excited about visiting?

UC: Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands always have outstanding pavilions. Switzerland’s looks interesting and China’s Pavilion looks like it will be amazing.

I had the wonderful opportunity to see the Australia Pavilion under construction and it’s sure to be a standout. I can’t wait to see their show-in-the-round.

Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands have a history of putting together innovative, thought-provoking exhibits.

I’m always attracted to exhibits with rides and I can’t wait to experience the ski lift in the Switzerland Pavilion, especially the part where it spirals up and down.

WEB: What do you think of your own country’s pavilion?

The United States was late in the game, but I can’t express just how glad I am that we’ll be there.

Unfortunately, there’s the perception in the United States that expos (or “world’s fairs” as most people know them here) don’t happen anymore. That’s compounded the problem of funding U.S. Pavilions due to a federal law that prohibits the State Department from funding pavilions. I’m hoping that can be reversed and that the United States can rejoin the BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) soon.

The United States Pavilion is being designed by BRC Imagination Arts, which put together one of my favorite pavilions of all time: The Canada Pacific Pavilion at Vancouver’s Expo 86. They always put on an amazing show, but like a good showman, they seem to be keeping the details under wrap until opening day.

It will be particularly gratifying to see my country at Expo 2010 since we were absent at Hannover’s Expo 2000 and Zaragoza’s Expo 2008. I hope the momentum will be there to also exhibit at Yeosu’s Expo 2012 and Milan’s Expo 2015.

WEB: Is there anything else you are looking forward to when Expo 2010 opens?

UC: I look forward to simply walking in the gate and deciding right there and then where to go first.

There’s an atmosphere at expos that you simply don’t feel anywhere else. It’s exciting like a theme park, but important like the Olympics. Unlike an Olympics, though, the general public gets to participate and multiple countries play host. There’s a richness and a diversity – each pavilion is like a present waiting to be unwrapped.

WEB: What is the longest you will queue and how will you pass the time?

UC: I remember waiting four hours to get on Expo 2005’s site the last Sunday of its run. I did draw the line at waiting six hours to see some of the corporate pavilions at that same expo.

When visiting an expo, I try to find that “sweet spot” in the schedule so that I can experience short lines yet avoid wet paint. The crowds can get more and more unbearable during the last few weeks of an expo, but not every exhibit and system is ready that first week or two.

Expos are great for people-watching, so like most folks, I pass the time in line chatting with friends or family and watching the crowd. Typically, pavilions hand out a lot of brochures and the like and reading them can pass the time, as well. Sometimes, in these materials, I’ll discover other aspects of the pavilion that I missed the first time.

WEB: What off-site activities are you most anticipating in Shanghai in 2010?

UC: I had the opportunity to explore some of the city during the construction phase of Expo 2010, which meant the whole city was under construction, as well. I’m looking forward to seeing the city with much of the construction finished. I’m sure The Bund will be very different next year than it was this year. And, being a theme park fan, I’ll have to make an excuse to visit Happy Valley Shanghai.

WEB: What will be Expo 2010’s legacy in Shanghai?

UC: Expo 2010 will be a memory far longer than it will be a reality. Like Chicago’s 1893 Columbian World Exposition, the 1939-’40 New York World’s Fair, Montreal’s Expo 67, and Osaka’s Expo 70, I expect China’s first world’s fair to change Shanghai forever.

It will inspire people in so many unforeseen ways and will mark an important milestone in China’s history. The city, the country, and the visitors will never be the same. 1893 created a whole new way for the United States to look at itself. 1939-’40 New York gave us completely new ways to look at what it means to live in a world of science and technology as evidenced by its aesthetics and themes. 1967 helped give Canada a unique identity and connection to the outside world. 1970 also presented Japan on the world stage and gave it a brand new, contemporary identity and way of relating to the world.

I expect Expo 2010 to do these things for China and more. It will inspire millions of people. This can only turn out to be one of the most important world expos in history. I can’t wait to be a part of it.