Electricity Building Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair
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“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair

NEWS, VIDEO

“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair

The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago shines on the big screen, if only for a few minutes. The Current War (2017, released 2019) tells the story of the rancorous rivalry between inventor Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), who adamantly championed direct current (DC) technologies to electrify and illuminate American cities, and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon), who banked on alternating current (AC). The legendary “war of the currents” has these titans of the electrical industry setting their sights on powering the Columbian [...]

By Scott|2023-12-20T13:47:10-06:00October 30th, 2019|Categories: NEWS, VIDEO|Tags: Administration Building, Charles Schwab, Daniel Burnham, Dewitt Cregier, electricity, Electricity Building, George Westinghouse, Grover Cleveland, Nikola Tesla, Opening Day, The Current War, Thomas Edison, Tower of Light, Victor Lawson, Zoopraxographical Hall|0 Comments

“Greatly Interested in the World’s Fair is the Wizard.” Thomas Edison’s 1891 Visit to Chicago
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“Greatly Interested in the World’s Fair is the Wizard.” Thomas Edison’s 1891 Visit to Chicago

REPRINTS

“Greatly Interested in the World’s Fair is the Wizard.” Thomas Edison’s 1891 Visit to Chicago

Thomas Edison visited Chicago on May 12, 1891, staying for several days “to attend to some private interests” and to consult with Prof. John P. Barrett, Chief of the Department of Electricity and Electrical Appliances for the World’s Columbian Exposition. [“Proposition for a Compromise” Chicago Inter Ocean May 12, 1891, p. 8.] The article below, from the front page of the May 12, 1891, issue of the Chicago Evening Post, describes his interest in the 1893 World’s Fair and [...]

By Scott|2019-10-27T20:47:54-05:00October 28th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Electricity Building, L. Frank Baum, Thomas Edison|0 Comments

“Quietly Enjoying His Lunch.” Thomas Edison Visits the 1893 World’s Fair
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“Quietly Enjoying His Lunch.” Thomas Edison Visits the 1893 World’s Fair

REPRINTS

“Quietly Enjoying His Lunch.” Thomas Edison Visits the 1893 World’s Fair

In August 1893, Thomas A. Edison visited the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His time at the World's Fair bears little resemblance to the story portrayed on screen in The Current War. According to the report below, from the September 2, 1893, issue of Electrical Review, Edison kept a low profile and showed little interest in the electrical exhibits. Thomas A. Edison, accompanied by his family, arrived in Chicago last Monday evening, and went immediately to a house on [...]

By Scott|2019-10-26T18:34:12-05:00October 26th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Agricultural Building, Electricity Building, John Barrett, The Current War, Thomas Edison|1 Comment

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – East Lagoon by Moonlight (p. 77)
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – East Lagoon by Moonlight (p. 77)

REPRINTS

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – East Lagoon by Moonlight (p. 77)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 77 – THE EAST LAGOON BY MOONLIGHT THE EAST LAGOON BY MOONLIGHT.— The night scenes at the Fair were undoubtedly the most beautiful for those who liked dreamy pictures, or half darkness contrasted with a blaze of glorious lights, better than unvarying white beauty. The fireworks, the illumination about the Court of Honor, the colored effects upon the Wooded Island were all charming and, in addition to these, was [...]

By Randy|2019-03-29T04:37:06-05:00March 29th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Administration Building, Electricity Building, lagoon, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR|0 Comments

THE LADY OF THE LAKE by Julian Hawthorne Part IV: The Incomparable Loveliness of the Illuminations
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THE LADY OF THE LAKE by Julian Hawthorne Part IV: The Incomparable Loveliness of the Illuminations

REPRINTS

THE LADY OF THE LAKE by Julian Hawthorne Part IV: The Incomparable Loveliness of the Illuminations

Author Julian Hawthorne visited the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Like so many other visitors who recorded their impressions of visiting the World’s Fair, he offered some of his highest praise for the electrical lighting of the night scene in the Dream City, a “banquet of royal beauty.” Reprinted below is the fourth and final part of Julian Hawthorne’s “The Lady of the Lake” about his June visit to the fairgrounds and published in the August 1893 issue [...]

By Scott|2022-12-10T10:05:26-06:00February 7th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Administration Building, Agricultural Building, Diana, Electricity Building, illumination, Julian Hawthorne, lagoon, search lights|0 Comments

The Most Wonderful Achievement the World Has Ever Seen
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The Most Wonderful Achievement the World Has Ever Seen

REPRINTS

The Most Wonderful Achievement the World Has Ever Seen

This article from the May 6, 1893, issue of Engineering and Mining News espouses the glory and shortfallings of the Columbian Exposition, which had recently opened in Chicago. View of north lagoon, Art Palace and state buildings, photography by William Henry Jackson. [Image from the Ball State University digital media repository.] The World’s Columbian Fair, which was opened at Chicago, May 1st, is already, in its buildings and promises to be in its exhibits, the most wonderful achievement [...]

By Scott|2018-05-20T09:34:00-05:00May 21st, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Electricity Building, Opening Day, State Buildings|0 Comments

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key
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Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

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?) [...]

By Scott|2018-05-04T16:28:41-05:00May 5th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Electricity Building, golden key, Grover Cleveland, May 1|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity
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Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

A Sea of Humanity This is Part 3 of 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. As the procession of the President of the United States began its march south on Michigan Avenue, thousands of people in downtown Chicago began forming their own spontaneous parade to the World’s Fair. Everyone on West Madison Street and North [...]

April 16, 2018: World’s Fair Auction in Cleveland
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April 16, 2018: World’s Fair Auction in Cleveland

ANTIQUES, EVENTS (past)

April 16, 2018: World’s Fair Auction in Cleveland

A large collection of 1893 World’s Fair antiques and collectibles will be going under the hammer on Monday, April 16. Gray’s Auctioneers “World's Fair Memorabilia and Collectibles” live auction in Cleveland, Ohio, starts at 11 AM (EDT) and features more than thirty Columbian Exposition items. Lots 20 through 51 include … • numerous pieces of decorative glassware, pottery and porcelain, including set of beautiful Libby glass peachblow rose bowls and a pair of ornate vases featuring images of the [...]

By Scott|2018-04-22T15:25:14-05:00April 3rd, 2018|Categories: ANTIQUES, EVENTS (past)|Tags: Art and Architecture, auction, Book of the Fair, Electricity Building, U.S. Government Building|0 Comments

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (p. 25)
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (p. 25)

REPRINTS

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS (p. 25)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 25 THE MACMONNIES FOUNTAIN FRONT.—This view, taken from a position in the Grand Basin, affords a just idea of the appearance of the Columbian Fountain from the east, and of the steps and terrace down which the water tumbled in a cascade when the fountain was in action. The Sea Horses of Commerce, which were represented as assisting the rowers in the propulsion of the barge, uprear themselves in [...]

By Randy|2018-06-12T15:36:32-05:00January 24th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: electric fountains, Electricity Building, gondolas, Grand Basin, MacMonnies Fountain, Mines and Mining Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Sea Horses of Commerce|0 Comments