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World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893

By Dr. Ljubo Vujovic and Marko Vujovic

The World Columbian Exposition was the World's Fair commemorating 400 years since Christopher Columbus set foot in the New World.  Located on Lake Michigan to facilitate access by sea, road and rail.  It was a gathering of ideas, men and technologies from every quarter of the globe, with each country contributing its best of their industrial, cultural, commercial and educational enterprises.  The Renaissance style of the exposition buildings was unsurpassed by its architecture beauty.  The Exposition itself was a work of art.  The Exposition was a brilliant spectacle of science, art and industry.  All the world has its pilgrimage to Columbian Exposition in 1893.  Westinghouse became dedicated to promoting the polyphase alternating current system and felt that his best chance to introduce it to the public at large would be at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.  The exposition was the greatest event in America and in the world at that time.  Ever the ingenious promoter Westinghouse outbid Edison for the contract to power the expositions lighting and electrical systems.  Over Two Hundred thousand electric light bulbs were illuminated by Tesla's polyphase alternating current system.  The Westinghouse display was a historic collection of machines, all powered with Tesla/Westinghouse alternating current.  It was a spectacular display of lights and energy, which illuminated the exposition.

Pictures of this great event where taken from the following excellent books:

• The Book Of The Fair by Howe Bancroft, Volume One

• The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views by Prof. Halsey C. Ives

Statue of Columbus at the Exhibition

Administration Building, East Front

The Great Allis-Corliss Engine

Tesla's Polyphase Alternating Current 500 horse power generator, in Westinghouse Exposition

Looking East from the Ferris Wheel - the Columbian Exposition,
"The Dream City".

The Heroic Statue of the Republic

"The Dream City", the Columbian Exposition of 1893

The Ferris Wheel - the chief wonder of the fair of 1893 was the work of George Washington Gale Ferris, a man born west of Chicago.  The Ferris Wheel was one of the World's Wonders

The Electricity Building - where Westinghouse's Exposition was located

The Edison Electric Tower

Nikola Tesla's personal exhibit at the World Fair in Chicago, 1893

Nikola Tesla's personal exhibition - Neon Lights

A Mammoth Dynamo

The Tesla/Westinghouse display at Electricity Hall.
Tesla Polyphase Alternating Current Sign on Display, Westinghouse Exhibition

The Tesla/Westinghouse display at Electricity Hall.
Tesla Polyphase Alternating Current System

The Court of Honor and its buildings

Columbian Coins

President Cleveland delivered the Opening Address for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.  He concluded with the following words: "Let us hold fast to the meaning which underlies this ceremony, and let us not lose the impressiveness of this moment.  As by a touch the machinery that gives life to this vast Exposition is now set in motion, so at the same instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all time to come shall influence the welfare the dignity, and the freedom of mankind."
Then with a press of a button, all the ponderous machinery of the Fair was set in motion.

Crowd at Cleveland's Address during the Columbian Exposition Opening Ceremony

Decoration, Chicago Street during the celebration

Procession of Parade, Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Dedication to the Opening - The Naval Review

As part of the ceremonies connected with the Columbian Exposition, a naval review took place in New York Harbor on April 27, 1893.  Here were assembled, as one international fleet, thirty -five vessels of war.  Never before had the squadrons of England, France, Russia and Germany, of Italy and Spain, in line with those of other empires and monarchies, passed parade before a president of the United States.

On board the thirty-five vessels of the Columbian fleet there were more than 10,000 officers, seamen and marine.

Naval Review in New York Harbor - a part of the Columbian Exposition Celebration

On the 19th of October anniversary was celebrated in the schools, not only in Chicago but all over the United States.  There were essays, addresses, readings, declamations and patriotic songs.

In some other cities the anniversary was celebrated with parades, exercises, or other demonstration, each city and town selecting for itself the kind of celebration that suited its taste.