Exposition & World’s Fairs
Bob McGlincy
Monponsett Press (2025)
ISBN: 979-8999550705
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (12/2025)
On May 1, 1851, the people of Great Britain received a “gift” from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the form of a magnificent exhibition called The World’s Fair, an event meant to celebrate the accomplishments of industry in various fields. In a building called the Crystal Palace, the largest building in the world at the time, the royals and guests who’d purchased VIP passes to be there enjoyed the sight and spectacle of the event. In the new book “Exposition & World’s Fairs: In the Beginning,” author Bob McGlincy traces the historical record of this event, complete with photos taken at that time, as well as quotes from articles in newspapers that covered the event. He also explores how this singular event not only replicated past World’s Fairs (in some form) but spawned the creation of several others throughout the world.
This singular event in Great Britain would spark a similar World’s Fair in the U.S. five years later. Great Britain’s World’s Fair was an event of great spectacle. It celebrated industrial provenance with much fanfare.
As a show, the Exhibition was huge, international, inspiring, breathtaking, unique, enormous, and excessive. The show exceeded all expectations and proved a colossal success. Specifically designed to be a large, international event, it showcased Great Britain as the industrial leader in the production of iron, steel, textiles, and machinery. One of the show’s stated goals was, “Technology is the key to a better future.” This theme would be repeated time and again, playing a prominent role in future Fairs. (Page 7)
This exclusively English event, however, did not just display the works of the English. In fact, it showcased materials from around the world, making it the first exposition in history to do so. It displayed ivory from China, silver from Mexico, and fur from Canada, among other foreign and exotic products. There was much fanfare and celebration that occurred on that day, with just as much fanfare and celebration taking place in the press as reporters wrote all about it. That is a good thing, too, as it provided the author with various sources of material to draw his research and quotes from to present in this book. The quotes from the various articles about this exhibition were a joy to read, capturing a historic event in a way readers would not have otherwise been privy to.
This book is not just a historical exploration of the World’s Fair that took place in Great Britain, but also of similar events, fairs, and expositions that took place before then, as well as at the same time. It was very interesting to read about other events celebrating industry and products.
It was also interesting to read about the people involved in the creation of Great Britain’s own World’s Fair. The brainchild of Queen Victoria and soon the passion project of Prince Albert, Parliament was against the idea of this event, worried it would not only drain the royal funds but also ruin the land on which the event was proposed to take place. The author brings the key players of this event’s creation to life really well in this book, offering just enough information about them and their involvement without rambling or excessive historical background.
The chapter outlining the timeline of the concept and building of the Crystal Palace was also interesting to read. I especially appreciated that photos were included, as well as quotes from articles published in periodicals at the time. During construction of the Palace, a large concern that Parliament had was all of the noise and vibrations causing the glass to shatter, cutting thousands of visitors. Another concern they had was the floor not being structurally sound enough to hold all of those exhibits and people. It was humorous to read about how they tested the durability of the floors.
While I enjoyed reading the brief summaries of other World’s Fairs that followed in other countries, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the chapter about the first World’s Fair to take place in America, in the city of Philadelphia. Other events would later occur in other cities, but this first one really set a precedent for this type of event in this country. It was refreshing to learn that this first World’s Fair also included a Women’s Pavilion, which showcased work created by and for women. And, indeed, showing inventions at the World’s Fair gave the inventors – such as Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison – a boost for their product and greater visibility. With thousands of people in attendance, their inventions received greater notice and contributed to their success.
The World’s Fair spawned the trend of trade shows and expos throughout the world. Thanks to the many successes and technological marvels enjoying a debut at a World’s Fair, businesses thrived, and inventors finally had their day in the sun. As noted on page 145,
World’s Fairs created jobs, attracted tourists, and produced a myriad of other benefits. Host cities gained recognition. Local companies made money. Businesses sold products. Corporations established brands. Countries showcased their culture. People and groups exchanged ideas. Entrepreneurs displayed inventions. And attendees enjoyed the experience of a lifetime.
Bob McGlincy’s Exposition & World’s Fairs: In the Beginning is an informative historical record about how the very first World’s Fair in Great Britain came to be, its many predecessors in history, and the many other World’s Fairs it inspired throughout the world. With photos and quotes from historical records, this book is a must-have for anyone who enjoys reading about history, as well as historical events.