[Insight] The history of the exposition
A Monument to Global Exchange and Cooperation Following the Industrial Revolution I
The history of expositions is a history of civilization that has transformed modern world history. In particular, The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, held in London, England in 1851, is one of the important events symbolizing the world after the Industrial Revolution. This exhibition was the world's first international fair, serving as a vital platform showcasing the cultural and industrial development of the entire world.
What led to the organization of The Great Exhibition
As the frontrunner of the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century, Britain held a significant position in the global economy. The invention of various products led by steam engines, weaving machines, and railways, along with technological discoveries, transformed Britain from a handicraft-centered economy to a large-scale industrial economy using machines and facilitated the transition from an agricultural society to an industrialized and urbanized society, giving birth to new social classes and interest groups. Against this backdrop, Britain wanted to flaunt its industrial achievements and foster technological and cultural exchanges with other countries. In other words, its purpose lies in promoting international cooperation and understanding in diverse fields such as industry, science, art, and culture.
The historical significance of the London Great Exhibition
Just as there are various frames of view in an event, there are also three perspectives to examine the characteristics of the exhibition. The London Great Exhibition opened the era of modernization, which can be explored from several viewpoints for its historical significance.
Architectural Perspective
The venue for the London Great Exhibition was the Crystal Palace, built in Hyde Park. This building, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, was the first of its kind in Britain, a giant greenhouse-like structure made of iron and glass, measuring 563 meters in length and 124 meters in width, the size of 18 football fields, completed in just one year, astonishing the world.
The rapid construction was possible because components were mass-produced in factories as modules during the Industrial Revolution and assembled on-site. Thus, from an architectural standpoint, the London Great Exhibition was the first occasion to demonstrate innovation in productivity by utilizing new technologies to create a building of unprecedented scale.
Social Perspective
While the Crystal Palace represented a new architectural endeavor showcased through the London Great Exhibition, its significance was not solely architectural. Another important aspect was the emergence of a new social class of 'consumers' through this indoor shopping space.
The Great Exhibition implemented a tiered admission fee system, allowing the poor to enter for just one shilling. At the time, industrialization in Britain had led to severe class conflicts, and there were concerns about potential clashes between classes at the exhibition. However, visitors were overwhelmed by the more than 13,000 products displayed, filled not with conflict but anticipation and aspiration for a new future. In "The History of Consumption," Hye-sim Seol described this as an event where a new class of 'consumers' emerged, transcending class boundaries. Thus, the London Great Exhibition also gave birth to the new concept of consumers, both socially and economically.
The Rise of the Travel Industry
The London Great Exhibition played a significant role in the full-scale development of the 19th-century travel industry. The year 1851, when the exhibition was held, coincided with the beginning of the popularization of railways. From the 1840s, a decade before the exhibition, Britain had rapidly expanded its railway network. This made it much easier and faster for more people to travel than before, directly impacting travel to the large-scale event of the Great Exhibition. During the exhibition, countless visitors from across Britain and even the European continent flocked to London by railway. This meant that the railway played a crucial role in transporting an unprecedented number of people. It also popularized the concept of group travel and significantly contributed to the growth of the travel industry.
The Global Impact of the London Great Exhibition
Above all, the London Great Exhibition opened a new chapter in international exchange. Visitors worldwide, witnessing the advancing scenes of various industries, machinery, technology, and supporting transport, communication, and society, returned to their homelands to advocate for the Industrial Revolution. It marked the prologue to the 'globalization of capitalism.' Following the exhibition, Japan adopted Western technology and industrial methods through the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s. At the same time, France and the United States introduced the exhibition model to strengthen their international status and promote industrial, technological, and economic development through the Paris Exposition and the Chicago World's Fair.
The significance of expositions in the Digital Era
As seen above, expositions served as an analog means to promote the development of each nation riding the wave of the Industrial Revolution. Then, what makes cities worldwide still eager to host expositions in today's digital age?
It's because the influence of expositions remains strong even in our time. Most importantly, expositions serve as a platform for showcasing each country's cutting-edge technology and products, presenting the forefront of innovation. They allow companies and governments to understand the latest technological trends and strengthen their competitiveness through experiences and encounters that cannot be provided online.
Additionally, their importance as venues for cultural and artistic exchange remains. The exposition grounds itself as a space introducing various cultures and arts worldwide, enhancing understanding and respect among nations and cultures. Moreover, in times of intense wars and regional conflicts like today, expositions also serve as symbolic spaces for international cooperation, enabling a collective response to global issues such as AI, war, and climate change, thus offering education and inspiration to citizens from around the globe.
Furthermore, the host city can utilize this opportunity to improve urban infrastructure and boost tourism. Despite the failure, Busan's dream of re-challenging the Expo bid is also due to the ripple effects of such expositions.
Thus, following the first Great Exhibition in London, expositions will continue as monumental means of global exchange and cooperation, connecting the world in this era where everything is linked online.
This article was published in the January + February issue of the Exhibition Journal by the Association of Korea Exhibition Industry.
(C)VM Consulting
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