The Parisian “Exposition Universelle” of 1889, held to commemorate the storming of the Bastille, mesmerized the world with its artistic and architectural elegance. America, on the other hand, exhibited a humiliatingly lifeless and motley arrangement. Intent on redemption, America, lead by architect Daniel H. Burnham, organized the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, or the World’s Columbian Exposition, to honor the quadricentennial of Columbus’s “discovery” of America. To establish whether the fair led to America’s rise as a superpower while impacting the country’s future, it is necessary to consider the changes made to America by the event. Industrially, the exposition debuted visionary innovations and beliefs. Monetarily, the fair protected Chicago’s
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This exposition was the first all-electric fair in history and promoted the concept of electricity—particularly Nikola Tesla’s alternating current (AC)—with “the most elaborate demonstration of electric illumination ever attempted” (Larson 254). As a result, attendees of the fair began to embrace the potential of electricity and believe that “the power of the future was AC”; in fact, over eighty percent of electronics ordered in the United States ran on AC after the fair (“War of the Currents”). Today, America not only accepts, but heavily depends on electricity and the technology it powers. The fair also prompted George Ferris, Jr. to construct the Ferris Wheel. This engineering marvel, which seemed “incapable of withstanding the stresses placed upon it” (Larson 280), but had endured winds that “whipped [a] five-ton craft onto its side” (Larson 300), redeemed America’s dominance in the metalworks and added a new element to the amusement park industry. Ferris Wheels, included in “[e]very carnival since 1893” (Larson 373), have safely provided over a century’s worth of people a view of the world from above. Accompanying electricity and the Ferris Wheel in the World’s Columbian Exposition was Josephine Cochrane’s first automatic dishwasher (“Woman Invented Dishwasher”). From the start of its existence to the twenty-first century, …show more content…
To honor the exposition’s Dedication Day, Francis J. Bellamy composed the “Pledge of Allegiance” for the “schoolchildren of America…[to offer]…to their nation” (Larson 181). Additionally, awed by the fair, Katherine Lee Bates devoted a verse in America the Beautiful to the White City (Lienhard). These pieces of literature sparked a sense of unity and pride within the Americans of the past, similar to what they are doing now as they are recited and sung by millions of people. Equally important to patriotism was the influence from other nations. For example, Egypt and Algeria introduced belly dancing to America, where it became a “particularly powerful draw” (Larson PAGE NUMBER). Fritz Krupp’s cannon, the largest artillery piece in the world, held a similar effect. After the fair, Krupp offered the weapon to the United States military, but the weapon was considered “too dangerous and too expensive” (Johnson), and the offer was rejected. Nonetheless, the effect of the Krupp Gun was already made, as America took significant interest in weaponry. The fair had also given a platform to feminism. The Woman’s Building, completely managed by women, displayed the triumphs of females throughout history. Although it was met with skepticism from men
This exposition was the first all-electric fair in history and promoted the concept of electricity—particularly Nikola Tesla’s alternating current (AC)—with “the most elaborate demonstration of electric illumination ever attempted” (Larson 254). As a result, attendees of the fair began to embrace the potential of electricity and believe that “the power of the future was AC”; in fact, over eighty percent of electronics ordered in the United States ran on AC after the fair (“War of the Currents”). Today, America not only accepts, but heavily depends on electricity and the technology it powers. The fair also prompted George Ferris, Jr. to construct the Ferris Wheel. This engineering marvel, which seemed “incapable of withstanding the stresses placed upon it” (Larson 280), but had endured winds that “whipped [a] five-ton craft onto its side” (Larson 300), redeemed America’s dominance in the metalworks and added a new element to the amusement park industry. Ferris Wheels, included in “[e]very carnival since 1893” (Larson 373), have safely provided over a century’s worth of people a view of the world from above. Accompanying electricity and the Ferris Wheel in the World’s Columbian Exposition was Josephine Cochrane’s first automatic dishwasher (“Woman Invented Dishwasher”). From the start of its existence to the twenty-first century, …show more content…
To honor the exposition’s Dedication Day, Francis J. Bellamy composed the “Pledge of Allegiance” for the “schoolchildren of America…[to offer]…to their nation” (Larson 181). Additionally, awed by the fair, Katherine Lee Bates devoted a verse in America the Beautiful to the White City (Lienhard). These pieces of literature sparked a sense of unity and pride within the Americans of the past, similar to what they are doing now as they are recited and sung by millions of people. Equally important to patriotism was the influence from other nations. For example, Egypt and Algeria introduced belly dancing to America, where it became a “particularly powerful draw” (Larson PAGE NUMBER). Fritz Krupp’s cannon, the largest artillery piece in the world, held a similar effect. After the fair, Krupp offered the weapon to the United States military, but the weapon was considered “too dangerous and too expensive” (Johnson), and the offer was rejected. Nonetheless, the effect of the Krupp Gun was already made, as America took significant interest in weaponry. The fair had also given a platform to feminism. The Woman’s Building, completely managed by women, displayed the triumphs of females throughout history. Although it was met with skepticism from men