Also at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, General Motors showcased an underwater hotel as part of the company's Futurama ride, which took fairgoers through a model of the possible future.

GM envisioned the sea as an alternative for land-crowded people. The display, according to the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair guide, also included "aqua-scooters" for travel.

"In an underwater scene, drills tap the ocean floor for oil, minerals are hauled away by submarine train, and vacationers relax in a suboceanic resort and, equipped with oxygen, ride about outside on 'aqua-scooters,'" the guide said.