Fate of the Key

This addendum concludes our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here.

“Electric Button” stereoscope card photograph. [Image (colorized) from the New York Public Library Digital Archive.]

An advertisement for Kirk’s American Family Soap, showing Director-General Davis, the Duke of Veragua, and President Grover Cleveland (and possibly the arm of Mayor Harrison?) as the president presses the golden key to open the World’s Fair. “Hurrah! hurrah! The button has been pressed, Hurrah! hurrah! Chicago’ll do the rest; with Kirk’s ‘American Family’ she’ll take her stand as the happiest city in our land.” [Image from the Chicago Daily Tribune May 2, 1893.]

It had waited all morning for the touch of the president’s finger. Once pressed, it closed the electrical circuit that powered the great engines in Machinery Hall and launched the “Great Transformation Scene” and officially opened the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.

The era of the telegraph would soon come to end, making this ceremonial golden key perhaps that last famous telegraph key in the world.

After President Cleveland had done his part, a rush of the curious approached, wanting to touch the now-famous key. Men pressed about the presidential box and tore pieces of cloth from its sides as mementos of the occasion. They crushed and jammed and pushed and reached over the shoulders of the custodian until he had to seek the protection of the Columbian Guards. One last swell of the surging sea of humanity crashed into the grandstand.

Such a privilege

Before the magic key could be lost to the maelstrom of humanity below, an electrician lifted the pretty box and instrument from the flag-draped table.

A delicate maiden of foreign airs and carriage approached and asked the electrician: “Won’t you please let me touch that little key? I would like to say I had such a privilege.” The request was granted and the gloved hand pressed the pretty piece of mechanism with delicacy that made the old telegrapher envious.

The key and its equipment reportedly then formed part of the exhibit in the Electricity Building.

Where is the golden telegraph key today?

SOURCES

(See our note about sources here.)

“The Great Fair Opens” Current Literature June 1893, p. 138-142.

“How Grover Hammered the Key” Chicago Herald May 2, 1893, p. 2.