Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations |
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New York Crystal Palace
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| Overview | |
| BIE-class | Unrecognized exposition |
| Name | Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations |
| Building | New York Crystal Palace |
| Visitors | over 1.1 million |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| City | New York City |
| Venue | Bryant Park |
| Coordinates | 40°45′14″N 73°59′01″W / 40.7538°N 73.9836°W |
| Timeline | |
| Opening | July 14, 1853 |
| Closure | November 14, 1854 |
The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations was a huge event, like a World's Fair, held in New York City in 1853. It took place in what is now Bryant Park. This fair was inspired by the very successful Great Exhibition held in London in 1851.
The main goal of the New York fair was to show off new inventions and industrial achievements from around the world. It also aimed to highlight the pride of the United States, which was a relatively young country at the time. Jacob Aaron Westervelt, who was the Mayor of New York, led the committee for the exhibition.
The fair opened on July 14, 1853. The newly elected President, Franklin Pierce, was there for the opening. Over 1.1 million people visited the fair before it closed on November 14, 1854.
Contents
The Amazing Crystal Palace
The fair's main building was the New York Crystal Palace. It was made of glass and iron, just like the famous Crystal Palace in London. This beautiful building was a major attraction.
The American poet Walt Whitman was so impressed by the building that he wrote about it in his poem, "The Song of the Exposition":
... a Palace,
Lofter, fairer, ampler than any yet,
Earth's modern wonder, History's Seven out stripping,
High rising tier on tier, with glass and iron facades,
Gladdening the sun and sky - enhued in the cheerfulest hues,
Bronze, lilac, robin's-egg, marine and crimson
Over whose golden roof shall flaunt, beneath thy banner, Freedom.
Sadly, the New York Crystal Palace was destroyed by a fire on October 5, 1858.
Latting Observatory: A Giant Tower
Right next to the Crystal Palace was the Latting Observatory. This was a tall wooden tower, about 315 feet (96 meters) high. Visitors could climb to the top and see far away. They could even spot parts of Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey.
This tower was the tallest structure in New York City when it was built in 1853. It was even taller than the spire of Trinity Church, which was 290 feet (88 meters) high. Like the Crystal Palace, the Latting Observatory also met a fiery end. It burned down on August 30, 1856.
Elisha Otis and the Safety Elevator
One of the most remembered moments from the fair was when Elisha Otis showed off his new invention. He demonstrated an elevator that had a special safety device. This device would stop the elevator from falling if the hoisting rope broke.
Before Otis's invention, people were very worried about how safe elevators were. His safety device changed everything and made elevators much safer. Just three years later, Otis installed the first passenger elevator in a store in New York City. This invention completely changed how tall buildings could be built.
Cool Inventions and Displays
The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations featured many interesting new ideas and products. Here are a few notable exhibits:
- Elisha Otis showed his revolutionary elevator safety brake. This invention made elevators safe and changed the construction industry.
- David Alter presented a new way to make and clean bromine from salt wells. Bromine was very useful in the iron industry.
- The world's first pedal-powered quadracycle was also on display. This was an early type of four-wheeled bicycle.
