This Day in Chicago History (World’s Columbian Exposition)

May 1, 1893—Two years after construction began –and nearly 22 years after a fire devastated the city—Chicago opened the World’s Columbian Exposition in a massive complex that highlighted both the recovery of the metropolis and the nation’s growing technological and commercial prowess.

After a few introductory remarks, President Grover Cleveland switched an electronic key that sent the fair’s dynamo engines into motion, and instantly water flowed from fountains, flags unfurled, the statue Republic was unveiled—all just hinting at what awaited the 129,000 who had paid admission that day to see this massive venue promoting man’s progress in science, industry and culture.

Behind the event lay ferocious competition, with the winners being the city of Chicago, which outbid New York, Washington, DC, and St. Louis for rights to the expo, and the team of George Westinghouse and Nicola Testa, who outbid Thomas Edison for the rights to power the displays with their own polyphase alternating current system.

Architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, the director of works for the expo, overcame massive public and private hurdles (not to mention a panic on the nation’s markets) to open the expo on time. His design for the project – including grand boulevards, classical building facades, and lush gardens—represented what is generally considered the first example of a comprehensive planning document.

Among the highlights of the expo:

* The Ferris wheel, built by George W. Ferris to dominate the fair’s midway;
* A system of lagoons and waterways created by Frederick Law Olmsted that were fed by Lake Michigan, serving as reflecting pools, waterways for transportation, and oases for footsore summer visitors;
* The Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, the largest building in the world at the time at over 19 stories high;
Consumer products making their debut, including Cream of Wheat, Shredded Wheat, Pabst Beer, Aunt Jemima syrup, and Juicy Fruit gum; and
* The World's Congress Auxiliary, whose daily presentations and lectures covered subjects including ethics, authors, economics, labor, and the week-long Congress of Religions.

Created to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America (or, if you will, the first European encounter with America—the Indians never knew they were lost!), the “White City” also inspired other aspects of Americana – the Pledge of Allegiance (recited for the first time at the dedication of the expo) and visitor L. Frank Baum’s “Emerald City” in his “Wizard of Oz” series of books.