In what ways does the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 change America? What lasting inventions and ideas did it introduce into American culture? What important figures were critically influenced by the Fair?
The Chicago World Fair changed America in many ways! One of the big things was the fact that people’s idea of America had drastically changed. They now knew what we were able to accomplish and the boundaries we could push to do the best. The World Fair was the first large scale fair in America, where as the previous fair was in France. And for many centuries after we accomplished building the fair and actually making a large profit, the view of America basically changed permanently for many people, especially people who were able to visit the fair. The Chicago World Fair provided us with a place to show of marvels: large buildings/structures, eclectic exhibits like Egypt, and also showed a lot of our values. A large part of the marvels at this particular fair was the Ferris wheel, the biggest in the world. It was said that nearly 46 people could fit into one of the seating areas, which were basically the size of a small house. We should off a great deal of our culture, but of other cultures as well.
We showed off things like different countries: Germany, Egypt, Italian, etc… And this showed that although we wanted people to realize what America could do as a country it also showed of achievements of other places as well. The World Fair basically started a restoration of people’s wants and morals. The people that went to the fair and what they said about the fair was extremely influential to some people. A big thing that changed though was fashion, women were started to dress with new styles and changing from the modern morays of the time. People began expanding their palate, with eating foods from other countries, which were available at the fair. Something that Chicago wanted to do is show that the architecture they created and built was works of art, not just paintings and sculptures.
Another big part of the fair was the numerous inventions that were created just for the fair. Things like the Ferris wheel, which I mentioned earlier, and showed off our uses of electricity with incandescent light bulbs, and a structure created out of the light which was timed with music. People could also see these inventions and potentially change the way that they lived with things like, electric incubators for eggs, the “moving sidewalk”, laundry machines, etc.. But the marvel of inventions was Thomas Edison’s Kaleidoscope. This showed moving pictures and was created to draw in tourists and make an even larger profit for the fair. Also around the fair you could pay special photographers to take photos for you since you were not permitted to take photographs yourself.
The fair was influential to many as well as inspirational. Many architects were realizing that they could become famous and make a living off something that they were talented at and loved to do. And these architects were able to show off their skills to the public. Citizens of Chicago and tourists were able to see these wonders for only a few cents(the cost to get into the fair) and they had the ability to interact with new inventions and experience new things. By them doing this they helped stimulate the economy and spread growth of architecture, art, music, and the acceptance of other cultures.
