Continuing this fascination with the Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age I'd now like to delve into a topic that has always intrigued me; the history of the World Fair. My interest in World Fairs, (or expositions), first began when I studied the French artistic age of the Belle Epoque. It was during this time that the iconic Eiffel Tower was constructed at the 1889 Paris Exposition. This fair was perhaps one of the most famous of all international expositions yet was just one of many famous fairs during this golden industrial age.
The concept of an industrial fair first began out of France following their revolution and Napoleon's empire during the early 1800s. France lead the way in pursuing science and intelligence over everything else and held a series of fairs to demonstrate innovations in technology. From 1798 to 1849 they held a total of 11 national expositions that gained global attention. This concept of technological demonstration gave way to the establishment of an international exposition event. It would showcase art, culture, architecture, and especially technological innovations.
The first of these international expos was hosted by London in 1851, which influenced a series of world expositions to follow. London set the bar on how a world fair should be composed and soon after many cities across the world began to partake in this cultural exchange of industry. Cities such as Paris, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, and Brussels hosted some of the most extravagant global fairs in history. At the turn of the 20th century world fairs were more popular then the modern Olympic games. This was ultimately a product of the global industrial revolution that spanned from 1850 to the start of WWI in 1914. In this post I will highlight the most famous world expos of this industrial age of history.
Famous Industrial World Expos
The first of these international expos was hosted by London in 1851, which influenced a series of world expositions to follow. London set the bar on how a world fair should be composed and soon after many cities across the world began to partake in this cultural exchange of industry. Cities such as Paris, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, and Brussels hosted some of the most extravagant global fairs in history. At the turn of the 20th century world fairs were more popular then the modern Olympic games. This was ultimately a product of the global industrial revolution that spanned from 1850 to the start of WWI in 1914. In this post I will highlight the most famous world expos of this industrial age of history.
Famous Industrial World Expos
- The Great Exhibition (London) 1851
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Venue: Hyde Park
- Dates: May 1st 1851- Oct 15th 1851
- Key Inventions: Telegraph, Vulcanized Rubber
- Key Exhibitions:
- Koh-i-Noor: The World's largest diamond referred to as the mountain of light
- Fashionable Irish jewelry
- Groundbreaking photographic process, notably the daguerreotypes
- New Voting Machines
- New Firearms
- The inaugural yacht race of America's Cup, now considered one of the most prestigious sporting trophy among wealthy elite.
- New single-cast iron frame piano designs
- Trophy Telescope, one of the most popular displays at the exhibition was this 16 foot long telescope.
- Key Organizers: Henry Cole, Prince Albert
- Architectural Wonder: Crystal Palace (destroyed by fire in 1936)
- Amount of Visitors: 6,039,722
- Significance: It was considered the 1st of the international industrial exhibitions and fittingly so as Great Britain can be considered the birth place of the Industrial Revolution. Queen Victoria oversaw the opening of the fair as a means to market and share British innovation with the world.
- Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations (New York) 1853
- Location: New York City, United States
- Venue: Bryant Park
- Dates: July 14th, 1853- Nov 1st, 1854
- Key Inventions: Safety Elevator
- Key Exhibitions:
- New York Crystal Palace: Modeled from the London Crystal Palace it was the main venue to display the fairs exhibits. It burnt down in 1958.
- Latting Observatory: It was a wooden observation tower for the fair. At 315 feet high it became the tallest structure in New York City until it also burnt down in 1856. (This tower became an inspiration to the Eiffel Tower).
- Elisha Otis' elevator demonstration
- The world's first quadracycle was introduced
- PT Barnum's circus exhibits
- Key Organizers: Horace Greeley, Theodore Sedgwick, Alfred Pell, Edward Riddle
- Architectural Wonder: New York Crystal Palace and Latting Observatory
- Amount of Visitors: 1,150,000
- Significance: The purpose of this fair was to demonstrate America as a rising industrial nation to the world. However this fair was not backed by the government nor was it recognized as an official international exposition. Nonetheless the fair brought in large amounts of foreign and domestic visitors which further encouraged this new concept of a global fair.
- Exposition Universelle (Paris) 1855
- Location: Paris, France
- Venue: Champ-Elysees
- Dates: May 15th, 1855 to Nov 15th, 1855
- Key Inventions: Sewing Machine
- Key Exhibitions:
- Introduction of the Sewing Machine
- Over 5000 displays of fine art housed at a pavilion behind the main exhibition hall known as the Palais of Beaux Arts.
- Also on display were France's best wines from Bordeaux
- Key Organizers: Frederic LePlay, Napoleon III
- Architectural Wonder: Palais de I'Industrie (later replaced by the Grand Palais in 1900)
- Amount of Visitors: 5,162,330
- Significance: In a new age of Industrial exposition, France decided it was time to turn their national fair into an international one. Emperor Napoleon III wanted to surpass England's Crystal Palace exhibit, with the construction of the Palais de I'Industrie. France made an added effort to display not only industrial exhibits yet also demonstrations of fine art.
- International Exhibition (London) 1862
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Venue: Kensington Exhibition Road
- Dates: May 11th, 1862 to Nov 15th, 1862
- Key Inventions: Analytical Engine
- Key Exhibitions:
- Charles Babbage's introduction of the analytical engine, one of the first modern computers
- Demonstrations of the electric telegraph, submarine cables, plastic, film roll, machine tools, and precision instruments
- New productions of ice
- The groundbreaking Bessemer Process for efficient steel manufacturing
- New locomotive designs
- Art gallery of paintings and photographs
- An International Chess Tournament
- Key Organizers: Earl Granville and Henry Cole
- Amount of Visitors: 6,096,617
- Significance: Prince Albert introduced the idea for an even bigger fair than their first one however he died shortly before the opening and his wife Queen Victoria did not attend. While this fair was twice the size of the Great Exhibition, it did not achieve the same profit. Nonetheless it still provided many notable exhibitions of art, culture, and industry. The fair did not produce any memorable buildings however became the future site of London's History and Science museums.
- Exposition Universelle (Paris) 1867
- Location: Paris, France
- Venue: Champ de Mars
- Dates: April 1st, 1867 to Nov 3rd, 1867
- Key Inventions: Hydraulic Elevator, Reinforced Concrete
- Key Exhibitions:
- Prototypes of Hydrochronometers (water clocks) and various other horological exhibits for timekeeping
- Various exhibits of aluminum, natural gas heat, department stores, and ice cream soda
- Egyptian exhibits to demonstrate rising business interests provided by the Suez Canal Company
- A 50-ton steel cannon displayed by the German steel manufacturers, Krupp
- The latest telegraph technology displayed by Samuel Morse and Cyrus Field
- Key Organizers: Frederic LePlay and Napoleon III
- Amount of Visitors: Estimates of 8 to 15 million (unofficial due to free admissions)
- Significance: It was once again commissioned by Emperor Napoleon as an answer to England's 2nd world fair yet also a further demonstration of booming French culture and industry. This fair coincided with the Renovation of Paris, an urban building project of new parks, avenues, and public squares. The fair showcased various art and industrial exhibits, as well as introducing new amusement and entertainment themes to increase visitors.
- Weltausstellung Wien (Vienna) 1873
- Location: Vienna, Austira
- Venue: Prater park
- Dates: May 1st, 1873 to Nov 2nd, 1873
- Key Exhibitions:
- The circular Rotunde building served as the center exhibition hall
- There were various Turkish exhibits to demonstrate the booming industry of the Ottoman-Empire
- The Illes Relief: A miniature scale model of the city of Jerusalem (now at display in the Tower Of David Museum in Jerusalem)
- Key Organizers: Archduke Karl Ludwig, Dr. Willhelm Frieherr von Schwarz-Senborn
- Architectural Wonder: Rotunde (destroyed by fire in 1937)
- Amount of Visitors: 7,255,000
- Significance: The Austrian-Hungarian empire was also experiencing an industrial boom during this age and wanted to compete with France and England's expositions. In doing so they modernized the city of Austria and constructed an iconic circular venue known as the Rotunde which served as the center of their exposition. The fair was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph however experienced low numbers of visitors due to an outbreak of cholera.
- Centennial Exposition (Philadelphia) 1876
- Location: Philadelphia, United States
- Venue: Fairmount Park
- Dates: May 10th, 1876 to Nov 10th, 1876
- Key Inventions: Typewriter, Sewing Machine, Telephone, Phonograph, harvesting reaper
- Key Exhibitions:
- Alexander Graham Bell's exhibition of his telephone
- Thomas Edison's exhibition of his phonograph
- Cyrus McCormick's exhibition of his reaper
- Introduction of Heinz Ketchup by Henry Heinz
- Introduction of Root Beer by Charles Hires
- John Bull steam locomative
- George Henry Corliss' exhibition of his steam engine
- There were over 200 temporary building structures including the main exhibition hall, the agricultural hall, the horticultural hall, the machinery hall, the memorial hall, and the women's pavilion.
- Yet another massive steel cannon by the German manufacturers, Krupp
- The right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty (which was still not yet completed) was displayed at the exhibition
- Key Organizers: Hermann Joseph Schwarzmann, George Gordon Meade
- Architectural Wonder: Memorial Hall (Art Museum and National Historic Landmark)
- Amount of Visitors: 8,095,349
- Significance: It was the first official World Fair hosted by the United States (not counting the New York exhibition in 1853) to celebrate the country's 100th year anniversary since the Declaration of Independence. This exposition served as America's announcement to the world that they had recovered from the Civil War and had arrived as an industrial global leader. The fair was opened by President Ulysses S. Grant and demonstrated many groundbreaking inventions to the world. The Corliss Engine was the most popular of all the exhibits.
- Exposition Universelle (Paris) 1878
- Location: Paris, France
- Venue: Avenue des Nations
- Dates: May 1st, 1878 to Nov 10th, 1878
- Key Inventions: Phonograph, Typewriter, and Refrigerator
- Key Exhibitions:
- The Trocadero Palace became the architectural centerpiece and venue for fine art
- The completed head of the Statue of Liberty was displayed
- Telephone by Alexander Graham Bell
- Megaphone and Phonograph by Thomas Edison
- Demonstration of the Monoplane by Felix du Temple
- Electric arc lighting along the Avenue de l'Opera
- Human zoos of indigenous people
- Key Organizers: President McMahon, JB Krantz
- Architectural Wonder: Palais du Trocadero (was designed by Gustav Eiffel as the main center built like a concert hall. It was later replaced by the Palais de Chaillot in 1937)
- Amount of Visitors: 13,209,090
- Significance: Following the collapse of the Second French Empire at the hands of the Franco-Prussian War, the newly established French Republic was eager to get back in the exposition game. In order to announce their stability as a leading economic nation, the French commission made this fair even bigger than their previous one in 1867.
- Sydney International Exhibition (Sydney) 1879
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Venue: The Domain
- Dates: Sept 17th, 1879 to April 20th 1880
- Key Exhibitions:
- Garden Palace was constructed in the center of the Domain Park of the Botanic Gardens; the exhibits mostly centered on agriculture and livestock
- Key Organizers: James Barnet
- Architectural Wonder: Garden Palace (Destroyed by fire in 1882)
- Amount of Visitors: 1,117,536
- Significance: It was the first World Expo held in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Europe or America. Australia had experienced a gold rush during this time and wanted to partake in the global exchange of industry. The fair was however not recognized as an official world expo yet rather a specialized one. Many of the exhibits were later displayed in the Powerhouse Museum which still stands to this day.
- Melbourne International Exhibition (Melbourne) 1880
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Venue: Carlton Gardens
- Dates: Oct 1st 1880 to April 30th, 1881
- Key Inventions:
- Key Exhibitions:
- Commerce, Industry, Art, Science, and Education were all on display inside the main exhibition building
- Key Organizers: C. Levey
- Architectural Wonder: Royal Exhibition Building (constructed for the fair it still stands to this due as a World Heritage Site)
- Amount of Visitors: 1,458,963
- Significance: It followed the Sydney Exhibition as the second major exposition in the Southern Hemisphere, and was officially recognized as a World Fair. This fair was organized in response the Golden boom of Australia as well as a growing rivalry with the city of Sydney. The majority of the fair and it's exhibits were housed in the Royal Exhibition Hall which still stands to this day.
- International Colonial and Export Exhibition (Amsterdam) 1883
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Venue: What is today the Museumplein Square
- Dates: May 1st, 1883 to Oct 31st, 1883
- Key Exhibitions:
- Free Teahouse (run by the Indian Tea Syndicate)
- Telephone, Woodwork machines, metalwork machines
- Safe that could fit 8 people
- Human Zoos
- Beer festival where the brand Heineken received major praise
- Key Organizers: Edouard Agostini, Paul Fouquiau, King William III
- Amount of Visitors: 1.4 to 3 million
- Significance: While it was not considered an official world expo, it was the first world exhibition dedicated to colonialism. This was a celebration of Dutch innovation and culture to the world and shared various exhibits of the telephone, wood and metal making machines, tobacco and rubber machines, and various human zoos demonstrating the Java people of Indonesia .The fair was ultimately a financial failure yet still brought in a significant attendance. Everything was tore down after the festival and many of the exhibits were later stored in Dutch museums.
- Southern Exposition (Louisville) 1884
- Location: Louisville, United States
- Venue: Old Louisville what is now known as the St. James-Belgravia Historic District
- Dates: August 1884 to Oct 1887 (Opened every summer for five years)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Buildings lit at night using over 5000 lamps and light bulbs supervised by Thomas Edison himself
- Machine exhibits, agriculture, and horticulture pavilions
- Mayan temple
- Electric railway carried passengers throughout the fair
- Largest piano/organ in the world
- Key Organizers: JD Lindenberger
- Amount of Visitors: 917,000
- Significance: The fair was yet another unrecognized world fair, yet still a significant world expo of Southern industry. The fair was supported by the US government as an effective event to demonstrate the booming southern market post Civil War and Reconstruction. The fair was first opened in August of 1883 by president Chester A. Arthur, for 100 days for the next five years. One of the key distinctions of this fair was being entirely lit at night using Edison's new light bulb system. The fair had more light bulbs than any other city in America at the time.
- Barcelona Universal Exposition (Barcelona) 1888
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Venue: Parc de la Ciutadella
- Dates: April 8th 1888 to Dec 10th, 1888
- Key Exhibitions:
- Arc de Triomf was the massive gate to the fair, built as a replica of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe
- Columbus Monument to celebrate the Spanish explorers discovery
- Castle of the Three Dragons was the main cafe setting (Modernisme building still stands today)
- Umbracle (Greenhouse indoor facility for plants)
- Exhibitions of machines, maritime mines, arts, agriculture, and sciences
- Modernist Buildings by the famed architect Antoni Gaudi
- Key Organizers: Francesc Rius i Taluet
- Architectural Wonder: Arc de Triomf, Columbus Monument ( both still stand to this day)
- Amount of Visitors: 2,300,000
- Significance: This event was one of many world expos during 1888 however the only one that was recognized as an international fair. It was opened by King Alfonso XIII and displayed new monuments celebrating Spanish culture and history. The fair was an early demonstration of the Catalan Modernisme style which showcased great architecture by notable names such as Antoni Gaudi.
- International Exhibition of Science, Art, and Industry (Glasgow) 1888
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Venue: Kelvingrove Park
- Dates: May 8th to Nov 10th, 1888
- Key Exhibitions:
- Doultan Fountain was the centerpiece fountain of the fair
- Reproduction of 15th century bishop's palace was used as museum
- Switchback railway (precursor to the roller coaster)
- Industrial machines, art, shooting range, captive air balloon, and live music
- Key Organizers: James Sellar
- Amount of Visitors: 350,000
- Significance: It was one of several major world expos during 1888, however was not officially recognized by the BIE (Bureau of International Expositions). Nonetheless it was Scotland's largest world fair of the 19th century celebrating the country's applied science, mechanical innovations, art, and culture. The Doultan Fountain was the architectural centerpiece of this fair that still stands to this day.
- Nordic Exhibition (Copenhagen) 1888
- Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Venue: Tivoli Gardens
- Dates: May 8th to Oct 2nd, 1888
- Key Inventions: Hansen Writing Ball (typewriter)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Exhibits of industrial, agriculture, hygiene, horticulture, and machinery
- Private houses of chocolate, bakery, and photography
- Hansen Writing Ball
- Carlsberg Brewery
- Key Organizers: Philip Schou, Martin Nyrop
- Amount of Visitors: 1,300,000
- Significance: It was one of several world expos during 1888, however was not considered an official expo by the BIE. It was a partnership of all the Scandinavian countries to demonstrate their various industrial and artistic concepts. It was considered a successful and profitable event attended by the King, Queen, and Prime Minister of Denmark.
- Exposition Universelle (Paris) 1889
- Location: Paris, France
- Venue: Champ de Mars
- Dates: May 5th to Oct 31st 1889
- Key Inventions:
- Key Exhibitions:
- The Eiffel Tower
- Galarie des Machines (giant steel pavilion that housed many of the industrial machines on display; it was demolished in 1910)
- Edison's telephone and phonograph
- Human zoos of African and native tribes
- Terrestial Globe in the Fine Arts Palace
- Opening of the Opera Comique (Opera theater that still thrives in Paris today) featured the popular opera Esclarmonde by Jules Massanet during the fair
- Heineken was once again recognized as the best world beer
- Buffalo Bill performed his American Wild West show to large audiences
- Imperial Diamond was the largest diamond in the world at the time
- Electricity and lighting was also on display throughout the exhibition
- Key Organizers: Antonin Proust
- Architectural Wonder: Eiffel Tower
- Amount of Visitors: 32,350,300
- Significance: It is perhaps one of the most famous World Expos in history much thanks to it's iconic wonder of the Eiffel Tower which was built for the fair. The expo marked the 100 year anniversary of the storming of the Bastille that started the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower was the main entrance to the fair and also the main attraction. Many in the city considered it a grotesque tower of steel, however it remained as one of France's most profitable tourist attractions. To this day it is one of the defining symbols of Paris and French culture. The fair set a new high standard for world expos being one of the most attended and profitable expos of it's time.
- International Electro-technical Exhibition (Frankfurt) 1891
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
- Venue: Site of former western railway stations which were later replaced by new ones following the fair
- Dates: May 16 to Oct 19, 1891
- Key Exhibitions:
- Power station utilizing three-phase current to light up the entire fair (as opposed to direct or alternating current)
- Massive artificial waterfall using three-phase steam engine
- Tethered balloon flights
- Electric mine locomotive
- Key Organizers: Leopold Sonnemann
- Architectural Wonder:
- Amount of Visitors: 1,200,000
- Significance: It was a demonstration of industry and electricity from the booming center of the second Industrial Revolution. This was Germany's first major world expo in which they were eager to demonstrate their industrial and electrical innovations. One of the most significant exhibitions at this fair was the first long distance transmission of three-phase electric current. Thanks to this successful demonstration at this expo, three-phase current became a viable means of electrical transmission.
- General Land Centennial Exhibition (Prague) 1891
- Location: Prague, Austria-Hungary Empire
- Venue: Stromovka Park
- Dates: May 15th to Oct 18th, 1891
- Key Exhibitions:
- Light fountain designed by Frantisek Krizik
- Prumyslovy Palace (Industrial Palace that was home to machinery exhibits and still stands to this day)
- Hanavsky Pavilion (Very impressive Art Nouveau building that still stands to this day)
- Balloon arena for sightseeing rides
- Key Organizers: Karl Max Zedtwitz
- Architectural Wonder: Petrin Tower (a replica of the Eiffel Tower that still stands to this day)
- Amount of Visitors: 2,500,000
- Significance: This fair was a demonstration of Czechoslovakian culture at the pinnacle of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. Heavily under the influence of Germany, the region was eager to demonstrate their own industrial innovations to the world and competed directly with the Frankfurt exposition at the same time. The illuminated fountain was the main centerpiece of this exposition and many of the buildings remained after the fair closed.
- World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago) 1893
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Venue: Jackson Park
- Dates: May 1st to Oct 30th, 1893
- Key Inventions: Moving walkway, Ferris Wheel, Electrochyscope (early form of the projector)
- Key Exhibitions:
- The Ferris Wheel
- The Midway Amusement Park
- Life size reproductions of Christopher Columbus three ships the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria
- Statue of the Republic: It was an impressive 65 foot high statue of lady liberty and stood in the Great Basin pool overlooking the fair (it burnt down in 1896; a replica bronze statue was constructed in 1918 at 24 feet, which still stands to this day)
- Motion picture displays by noted zoologist, Eadweard Muybridge, who invited the first motion picture of a galloping horse in 1872
- Egyptian street with notable performers and dancers
- Moving walkway (which had mechanical difficulties during the fair)
- German inventor Ottamar Anshutz demonstrated his electrochyscope which was an early form of the projector and new technology for motion pictures
- Iconic food products such as Juicy Fruit Gum, Cream of Wheat, and PBR Beer
- John Bull locomotive
- German artillery displays by the giant steel manufacturing company, Krupp
- Westinghouse Electric provided AC lighting and power for the fair
- Key Organizers: Daniel Burnham, George R. Davis
- Architectural Wonder: Ferris Wheel (Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris it was used again for the St. Louis Expo in 1904 and later dismantled in 1906)
- Amount of Visitors: 27,300,000
- Significance: It was America's largest world fair to date, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America. It was also a significant event for the emergence Chicago that was recovering after it's Great Fire of 1871. The fair was often referred to as the "White City" for it's many Greek inspired buildings of large white pillars. It had many claims to fame including the first ever theme park, known as the Midway, of which at it's center was the massive Chicago Wheel designed by George Gale Ferris, the first ever Ferris Wheel. It was the largest structure at the fair, standing at an impressive 264 feet high, and carrying over 2000 passengers at time. It was a response to Paris' Eiffel Tower. The wheel was later used in the St. Louis fair and then dismantled after. The fair was a massive success and the 2nd most attended world fair in history after the Paris Exposition of 1889. The only surviving structures of the fair were the Field Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science and Industry.
- Exposition Internationale d'Anvers (Antwerp) 1894
- Location: Antwerp, Belgium
- Venue: Avenue de Sud
- Dates: May 5th to Nov 12th, 1894
- Key Exhibitions:
- The centerpiece was a crystal vase housed in the Palace of Fine Arts (the vase is to this day an iconic treasure-piece of Antwerp)
- Congo Exhibits: Including a Human village and other ethnographic displays of the Congo Free State
- Demonstrations of Old Antwerp life during the 16th century
- Amusement zones and an Egyptian plaza
- Key Organizers: Count Hippolyte d'Ursel, Pret Roose de Calesburg
- Amount of Visitors: 3 to 5 million
- Significance: It was an expansion of Antwerp's 1885 expo, and one of many world fairs held by Belgium at the behest of King Leopold II. The fair was officially recognized as a world fair to promote international trade and the Belgian acquisition of the African state of Congo. While it achieved a small profit the fair was not as popular as other fairs of it's time due to bad weather and unimpressive buildings and exhibits.
- California Midwinter International Exposition (San Francisco) 1894
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Venue: Golden Gate Park
- Dates: Jan 27th to July 5th, 1894
- Key Exhibitions:
- Daniel Boone's Wild Animal Show
- Amusement Rides (based off the concept introduced by the Chicago's Midway)
- Mining Camp provided food, games, and entertainment
- The Gum Girls walked around selling gum, flirting with men, and singing songs for every sale they made
- Japanese Tea Garden was a very popular exhibit which was essential a tea house in the midst of a relaxing garden
- Key Organizers: Michael H. de Young
- Architectural Wonder: Japanese Tea Garden (still stands to this day)
- Amount of Visitors: 2,500,000
- Significance: In the boom of American industrialism as well as western expansionism, San Francisco became an ideal location for a midwinter fair (following Chicago's massive summer fair). At the center of the fair was the massive Bonet Tower (a 1/3 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower) that illuminated the fair. The tower was later demolished after the closing of the fair and the only building that remained was the Japanese Tea Garden.
- Cotton States and International Exposition (Atlanta) 1895
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Venue: Piedmont Park
- Dates: Sept 18th to Dec 31st, 1895 (90 days)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Artificial Lake named Clara Meer
- Women's building, government building, fine arts building, liberal arts building, agricultural building, machinery hall, negro building, mining and forestry building, clock tower, railway building, and various others
- Buffalo Bill was able to exhibit his Wild West Show
- Booker T. Washington managed the Negro Building and gave his controversial address, known as the "Atlanta Exposition Speech" to the public on opening day
- Key Organizers: Charlies Collier, Grant Wilkins, Bradford Gilbert, Samuel Inman
- Amount of Visitors: 1,170,933
- Significance: It was yet another booming American city in the south eager to display their prominence in the Post Civil War era. It was promoted by President Grover Cleveland who initiated the festival by turning on the fair's electricity. The fair's biggest claim to fame was it's early recognition of civil rights thru it's Negro Building headed up by the famous activist Booker T. Washington. During the fair Booker gave his famous "Atlanta Exposition Speech" which was the foundation of the "Atlanta Compromise" between African American and white leaders of the south.
- Great Industrial Exposition (Berlin) 1896
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Venue: Treptower Park
- Dates: May 1st to Oct 15th, 1896 (168 days)
- Key Inventions: X-Ray
- Key Exhibitions:
- The New Lake "Neuer See" was an artificial lake at the center of the park
- Main Industry Building was the largest hall of the fair while the others were mostly pavilions
- Power plant that provided electricity for the fair
- Many beer gardens sharing German cuisine, beverages, and culture
- Circus displaying tropical animals, hot air balloon rides, and various foreign exhibits such as an American theater, African villages, and an Egyptian town square with a model of t he Pyramids
- German inventor Otto Lilenthal displayed various steam engine designs and lectured on new aviation mechanical concepts
- The Great Refractor (the longest telescope in the world that was later housed in the Archenhold Observatory)
- Key Organizers: Max Ludwig Goldberger
- Amount of Visitors: 7,000,000
- Significance: It was organized as a response to the massive success of the London and Paris Expositions before it. The German public was eager to demonstrate their industrial prowess and further their competition against France known as their "Erbfeind". The government however under Wilhelm II did not approve of funding a world fair, and the exposition was thus organized privately. Nonetheless it still had numerous exhibits, funding, and attendants to make it one of Germany's largest expos in history.
- Brussels International Exposition (Brussels) 1897
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Venue: Cinquantenaire Park
- Dates: May 10 to Nov 8, 1897
- Key Exhibitions:
- Temple of Human Passions designed by Victor Horta, displayed various marble statues (it is the only remaining building of the fair that still stands to this day)
- Machine gallery showcasing Belgium's latest mechanical innovations such as boilers, electrical converters, and ventilation systems
- Wooden arc at the center of the park
- Electric Sun with 4500 light bulbs
- Zoographic Room, one of the earliest versions of the movie theater
- Palace of Colonies Hall that displayed Belgian provinces and their ethnography
- Key Organizers: King Leopold II
- Architectural Wonder:
- Amount of Visitors: 6,000,000
- Significance: It was Belgium's first World Fair and was officially recognized by the Bureau of Expositions. King Leopold II commissioned many buildings in Brussels, during this time, and saw the fair as a great event to show their booming industry. The expo's claim to fame was it's celebration of the rising Art Nouveau movement. This artistic style was a general theme in the fair's buildings, posters, and exhibits.
- General Art and Industrial Exposition (Stockholm) 1897
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
- Venue: Island of Djurgarden
- Dates: May 15th to Oct 3rd 1897
- Key Exhibitions:
- Large Industrial hall with minarets and cupolas that allowed people to ascend to the top and get a birds-eye view of the fair and the city
- Various demonstrations of the phonograph, film, and the cinematograph
- Many Scandinavian Art exhibits
- Key Organizers: Ferdinand Booberg
- Amount of Visitors: 1,500,000
- Significance: The entire fair took place on the island of Djurgarden with various exhibits demonstrating Swedish and Scandinavian innovations and culture. The main industrial hall was the expo's claim to fame, with its four minarets, large center dome, and colorful painting made it look like something out of a fairy-tale. This centerpiece was demolished after the event closed however many buildings remained long term from the exhibition such as the Djungardsbron bridge, a functional railway, and various museums demonstrating old Swedish culture.
- Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition (Nashville) 1897
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Venue: West Side Park
- Dates: May 1st to Oct 30th, 1897
- Key Exhibitions:
- Parthenon replica that housed exhibits of fine art
- Railroad exhibits from John Pullman
- Amusement section called Vanity Fair
- Commerce building, Machinery building, Children's building, women's building, negro building, history building, transportation building etc.
- The Memphis Building was a large pyramid with electrical lights that shined at night
- Key Organizers: John W. Thomas, Eugene Castner Lewis
- Architectural Wonder: Parthenon replica which still stands to this day
- Amount of Visitors: 1,879,000
- Significance: It was one of many American world fairs during the late 1890s eager to showcase their booming industry. It was the Centennial for the birth of Tennessee as a state, and also a chance for the state to demonstrate their recovery post Civil War. The fair turned a small profit however not as much compared to others due to an outbreak of yellow fever in the region at the time. It was this fair particularly the Parthenon replica that gave Nashville the nickname, " Athens of the South".
- Trans-Mississippi Exposition (Omaha) 1898
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Venue: Current site of Kountze Park
- Dates: June 1st to Oct 31st, 1898
- Key Inventions:
- Key Exhibitions:
- The fair design was a grand court with a giant pond in the middle
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
- An encampment of Native Americans demonstrating various Indian tribes and cultures of the region
- Venetian style Gondolas transported passengers across the pond
- Live stock exhibits, machinery, electricity, transportation, etc.
- Old plantation exhibits, mining, civil war reenactments and various exhibits demonstrating Southern culture
- Key Organizers: Gurdon Wattles
- Architectural Wonder:
- Amount of Visitors: 2,613,508
- Significance: Yet another one of many American world fairs during the 1890s. It was originally intended to be a regional fair, however developers saw a world expo would bring further attention to the booming city of Omaha. The fair was promoted and inaugurated by President William McKinkley.
- Exposition Universelle (Paris) 1900
- Location: Paris, France
- Venue: Champ de Mars
- Dates: April 15th to Nov 12, 1900 (212 days)
- Key Inventions: Diesel Engines, Talking Films, Escalators, Telegraphone
- Key Exhibitions:
- Statue of Lafayette presented by the Americans to the French at the fair
- Moving sidewalk along exhibits known as the "Trottier Roulant"
- Electric train carried passengers at efficient rates
- First time demonstrations of X-rays, Wireless telegraphy, automated food service, sound synchronized movies
- Automotive and Aviation exhibits
- Great Exposition Refreactor: Was the largest refracting telescope at the time (60 meters long)
- Exhibit of American Negro innovations: Booker T. Washington and Web Du Bois helped organize the exhibit
- Birthplace of the popular Russian doll known as the matryoshka doll
- Human Zoos demonstrating indigenous people
- The Palace of Electricity was the beaming center of light and power
- Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Palace remained popular exhibits from previous fairs
- Grand Roue de Paris: inspired by the Chicago's Ferris Wheel this became the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world at (328 feet) The wheel was a very popular ride and was kept after the fair until it was disassembled in 1920. It remained the largest Ferris wheel in history for almost 100 years.
- Key Organizers: Alfred Picard
- Architectural Wonder: The Grand Palace (Still stands to this day) The Petit Palace (Still stands to this day)
- Amount of Visitors: 50,860,801
- Significance: It was planned to be the biggest fair yet as the turn of the century approached, Paris would become the cultural center for yet another world expo. The theme of the fair was a look ahead into the future of the new century that approached. Also of major note, Paris simultaneously hosted the 2nd ever Modern Olympic Games which hardly received much attention compared to the fair. The Eiffel tower and Trocadero Palace remained centerpieces of the fair, while many new buildings were constructed such as the Grand Palace, the Petit Palace, and the Alexander III bridge. The Grand Rouse de Paris surpassed the Chicago Wheel as the largest Ferris Wheel in the world. Much of the buildings and exhibits of the fair demonstrated the new Art Nouveau artistic style. The Exposition succeeded in being the largest and most attended World Fair yet, however fell short in achieving it's financial goals.
- Pan-American Exposition (Buffalo) 1901
- Location: Buffalo, New York, United States
- Venue: Delaware Park
- Dates: May 1st to Nov 2, 1901 (184 days)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Electric Tower was the center attraction gleaming with light bulbs (it was demolished after the fair, however a replica building was constructed in downtown Buffalo in 1907)
- Court of Fountains
- Trimphal Bridge spanned the Great Canal a mile long waterway over the Mirror Lake
- US Govt building, Horticulture, Graphic Arts, Mines, Ethnology, Temple of Music, Machinery and Transportation, Manufacturing and Liberal Arts, Electricity Building, and 12,000 seat amphitheater
- Midway amusement rides, most notably the "Trip to the Moon" dark ride
- Joshua Slocum's Sloop, of which he had sailed around the world alone
- Key Organizers: John M. Milbourn, William Buchanan
- Amount of Visitors: 8,120,048
- Significance: It was yet another world expo hosted by the United States amidst their booming industrial Gilded Age. The fair was entitled the "Rainbow City" for it's colorful display of buildings, lights, and exhibits constructed in the Spanish Renaissance style. The electric tower was the center attraction powered by alternating current. However the fair's greatest claim to fame was the site of the assassination of President William McKinley. He was shot by a socialist anarchist right outside the Temple of Music and died 8 days later. This massive tragedy as well as bad weather affected the profitability of the fair.
- Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis) 1904
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Venue: Forest Pork
- Dates: April 30 to Dec 1 1904 (185 days)
- Key Inventions: Wireless telephone, Fax Machine, Finsen Light, X-ray machine, infant incubator, electric streetcar, automobile, airplane
- Key Exhibitions:
- Palace of Fine Arts, Administration, Machinery, Agriculture Pavilion
- Massive bird cage
- The same giant Ferris Wheel used in the Chicago Exposition
- Cairo Street was a popular recration of Egyptian culture used in previous fairs
- Chinese Village, Mysterious Asia, Irish Village, Old Plantation
- Boer War Exhibit which displayed reenactments of the recent Boer War
- The Pike was the amusement area which housed one of the first ever roller coasters and also included a very popular exhibit portraying the first 6 days of Genesis
- Festival Hall displayed one of the largest organs in the world
- Westinghouse provided electrical lighting and demonstrating new innovations and films
- Ethnographic exhibits displaying newly acquired territory such as Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico as well as human zoos displaying native american tribes
- Beautiful Jim Key was a performing educated horse who could do math and spell
- New Foods were demonstrated such as the ice cream cone, peanut butter, iced tea, cotton candy, hamburgers, and hot dogs
- Various hotels within the fairgrounds and an efficient railroad system
- Key Organizers: David R. Francis
- Amount of Visitors: 19,694,855
- Significance: At the time St. Louis had become the 4th largest city in the country and was eager to showcase their thriving economy. It was a one hundredth year anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase that expended US territory to the west. The fair was intended to be the largest one to date, with goals to surpass both the Chicago Columbus Expo and the previous Parisian Expos. St. Louis was also simultaneously hosting the Summer Olympics, which at the time took 2nd stage to the world fair. The buildings had a similar neo-classical Greek style as the Chicago fair did and all the buildings were meant to be temporary structures. The fair did not surpass Chicago or Paris on attendance however still was a profitable success. It had a massive influence on popular culture including the hit song "Meet Me in St. Louis" by Billy Murray and the 1944 movie with Judy Garland.
- Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition (Portland) 1905
- Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
- Venue: Guild's Lake
- Dates: June 1st to Oct 15th, 1905 (137 days)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Artificial Lake known as Guild Lake at center of exposition
- Forestry Building, Foreign Exhibits, Oriental and Educational Building, Machinery, Electricity, and Transportation Building, etc
- Ethnographic exhibits and human zoos of Philippine and Native American culture
- Amusement exhibits with rides, sideshows, concerts, and free motion pictures
- Electricity provided by General Electric included massive searchlights at night
- Key Organizers: Henry W. Goode
- Motto: "Westward The Course of Empire Takes Its Way"
- Amount of Visitors: 2,554,848
- Significance: It was the one hundredth year anniversary of the western exploration and discovery by Lewis and Clark. The theme of the fair was to demonstrate how the western city had progressed since this discovery to become a booming center of trade. The fair was ultimately a success most notably for doubling the population of the city of Portland within the next 5 years.
- Liege International (Leige) 1905
- Location: Leige, Belgium
- Venue: Parc de la Boverie
- Dates: April 25th to Nov 6th, 1905 (194 days)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Le Balais de Beaux-Arts was the art hall that became a permanent building in the city of Liege
- Colonial pavilions demonstrating Belgian provinces in Africa
- Machine gallery demonstrating Liege's industrial prowess
- Amusement park with one of the first roller coasters with a loop
- Key Organizers: Imre Kiralfy
- Architectural Wonder:
- Amount of Visitors: 7,000,000
- Significance: Following up on their success from the Brussels Fair of 1897, Belgium continued to demonstrate their artistic culture on a global scale. The fair was officially recognized as a world expo and a celebration of Belgian Independence and the prosperous reign of the "Builder King" Leopold II. The fair was a success and the only remaining building to this day is the art museum known as "La Boverie".
- Milan International (Milan) 1906
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Venue: Parco Sempione
- Dates: April 28th to Nov 11, 1906
- Key Exhibitions:
- The Piazza d'Armi section housed the industrial machinery exhibits
- One of the first ever motor-car buildings at a worlds fair
- Pavilions were linked by a petro-powered tramway
- The Aquarium Art Nouveau became a permanent fixture and museum in the city of Milan
- Various amusements, air balloons, rides, and cinemas
- Amount of Visitors: 7.5 to 10 million
- Significance: It was the first major world expo hosted by Italy and the booming city of Milan. The central theme was that of transportation most notable the groundbreaking invention of the motor car. One of the major commemorations of the fair was the opening of the railway Simplon Tunnel. The International Commission of Occupational Health which still operates today came from this Expo. The Milan Aquarium dedicated for this event also still operates today as a Natural Museum of History.
- Brussels International (Brussels) 1910
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Venue: Solbosch, Mount of Arts, Tervueren
- Dates: April 23rd to Nov 7th 1910
- Key Inventions: Type 10 Locomotive
- Key Exhibitions:
- Mont de Arts was constructed as a center plaza with a lavish garden
- Ethnographic exhibits, primarily that of Congo
- The Hotel Astoria was built as a five star hotel for the fair and remains a monumental structure of Belgium
- Demonstration of the new Type 10 locomotive
- Several new works of fine art by notable names such as Monet, Rodin, Renoir, and Matisse
- Key Organizers: Ferdinand Baeyens, Emile de Mot, George Dupret, Maurice Lemonnier
- Amount of Visitors: 13 million
- Significance: It was yet another of many world expos commissioned by King Leopold II to celebrate the city of Brussels as a cultural center. Although the King did not live to see this expo it was yet another successful Belgian world fair. The exhibits showcased the usual machinery however it was the arts and colonial displays that once again gained most popularity. During the fair the Grand Palais caught fire, which closed a certain section of the fair but subsequently increased fair attendance due to the news.
- Turn International (Turin) 1911
- Location: Turin, Italy
- Venue: Valentino Park
- Dates: April 29th to Nov 19th, 1911
- Key Exhibitions:
- Monumental Bridge was one of the most popular attractions
- Exhibitions of Industry and Labor demonstrating various machinery and applied sciences
- Pavilions of telegraph, telephone, and the postal service
- Art Nouveu themes and exhibits
- Alpine Club Village was an artificial mountain village that celebrated the Turinese outdoor and sports community
- The United States also had a large exhibit advertising their latest construction of the Panama Canal
- Key Organizers: Teofilo Rossi,
- Amount of Visitors:7,409, 145
- Significance: It was one of several expos hosted by Italy at the turn of the century, this one being recognized as a world expo. Turin wanted to demonstrate their city as the capital of Italian industry and labor, while Rome hosted a simultaneous art exposition. Technological exhibits and Art Nouveau were a key distinction of this world expo.
- Exposition Universelle et International (Ghent) 1913
- Location: Ghent, Belgium
- Venue: Citadelpark
- Dates: April 26th to Nov 3rd 1913 (Open 192 days)
- Key Exhibitions:
- Massive renovations to the city of Ghent included a new railway station, buildings, and garden beds
- One of the last noted human zoos displayed Igorot and Philippine tribes people
- Massive statue of the Four Sons of Aymon
- Congo Pavilion was once again demonstrated with great interest
- Key Organizers: King Albert I, Emile Coppieters
- Amount of Visitors: 9.5 to 11 million
- Significance: It was the last major world expo in Europe before the outbreak of WWI. King Albert I carried on the torch of his predecessor King Leopold II of promoting and sharing world culture. While the fair had royal support and good attendance it was ultimately a financial loss. It was overshadowed by the negative publicity of a general workers strike in April and the oncoming political tensions of World War I.
- Panama-Pacific International Exposition (San Francisco) 1915
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Venue: Marina District
- Dates: Feb 20th to Dec 4th, 1915
- Key Exhibitions:
- CP Huntington: First steam locomotive purchased by Southern Pacific Railroad company
- Two major auto races were held which were still quite new at the time; The Vanderbilt Cup and the American Grand Prize
- Tower of Jewels (covered with gems thatssparkled in the day and was illuminated by electricity at night)
- Fountain of Energy, Palace of Horticulture, Festival Hall, Court of the Universe, Court of the Four Seasons, Court of Abundance, Foods Products Palace, Agricultural Palace, Liberal Arts Palace, Transportation, Manufacturers, Machinery, and Palace of Fine Arts
- Key Organizers: George Kelham
- Amount of Visitors: 18,876,438
- Significance: While Europe was emerged at war, the United States took center stage for the next World Expo. It was held at San Francisco as a purpose to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal as well as the city's recovery from the terrible earthquake of 1906. San Francisco had hosted the fair 1894 and were eager to duplicate their efforts. The fair was known as the Jewel City for it's Tower Of Jewels centerpiece that stood on an arch at 435 feet. Many of it's buildings were tore down afterwards except for the Palace of Fine Arts which was later reconstructed to commemorate the fair.
- Panama-California Exposition (San Diego) 1915
- Location: San Diego, California, United States
- Venue: Balboa Park
- Dates: Jan 1st, 1915 to Jan 1st, 1917
- Key Exhibitions:
- Cabrillo Bridge (became a permanent fixture for the city)
- Electric railway for commuting passengers
- Rose Gardens and over a million various plants and landscapes
- California Bell Tower was a 200 feet tall tower with a weathervane on top of it
- The California State Building would eventually become home to the San Diego Museum
- US Marines had a popular encampment at the fair, which gave way to San Diego becoming a navy port
- The Spreckles Organ Pavilion was constructed as the largest outdoor pipe organ, and the venue still stands to this day for outdoor concerts in Balboa Park
- Key Organizers: Ulysses S. Grant, John D. Spreckles, Colonel Collier
- Amount of Visitors: 3,747,916
- Significance: San Diego had lost the official title of international expo to San Francisco that same year but decided to host their expo anyway. Just like it's neighboring expo north of it, this fair was also a celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal. Yet furthermore it gave San Diego a chance to display their booming city in the southwest. The fair was built with Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture and many of it's temporary buildings remained permanently in the city. The locals fell in love with the city and it was referred to as their "Dream City". It remained open for two full years, one of the longest world fairs yet. Just as the population boomed following the Portland expo, the same boost occurred for San Diego.
