The World’s Columbian Exposition got started because the Unites States was hankering to be a world power not only economically, politically, and militarily, but culturally as well. Britannia just barely ruled the waves but otherwise it was pretty clear to ‘the powers that be’ the UK’s global influence was waning. Amazingly ‘the powers that be’ didn’t notice the Deutsches Reich’s (German Empire’s) arms buildup, especially when it showed up at the Exposition (more below). The United States was confidently poised to take the world stage on the all fronts but culture. Most of the world viewed the States as the unrefined and backwards Wild West due a lot to the popularity of “Buffalo Bill” Cody Wild West Show (it toured England) as well as ‘dime novels’ and sensational news stories of cowboys and Indians which made their way across the pond.
So what to do? Paris did bang-up job of a World’s Fair in 1889 garnering tons of great press around the world. And Paris is the center of culture, don'tcha know? Therefore it only made sense to some oligarch or politician: Hold a competition between US cities to host a fair in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ trip to get black pepper at a better price! Not the worst idea from Washington D.C.. I think the federal government even coughed-up a few bucks.
The World’s Columbian Exposition officially hosted 46 countries and welcomed over 27 million visitors. Since posterity does’t know what was lost with the Ancient Library of Alexandria, I’m confident in saying the Expo was the greatest coming together of ideas the world has ever seen before or since. The City of Brotherly Love sent the Liberty Bell and I think it was Norway (sorry if I’m wrong, Andersonville) who sent a Viking ship (yup, they sailed a Viking ship to our Lake Michigan shore!). And guess what? Buffalo Bill crashed the party, setting up his Wild West Show just outside the gate!
Some of the legacies of the Expo to the world are: Westinghouse’s/Tesla’s alternating current electrical power grid instead of the better direct current (Edison) model (indoor and outdoor lighting plus a kitchen stove); modern policing ideas like crime prevention; spray painting; moving walkways; women business/project managers; the 3-rail elevated train (the EL); and democracy (just seeing if you were paying attention!), and the Ferris Wheel. The foundations of the modern breakfast were laid when Shredded Wheat, Cream of Wheat, Aunt Jemima, Quaker Oats, and others showed up; Juicy Fruit gum debuted; and the US Mint pressed its first commemorative coin for the occasion. But best of all the Expo gave us one of my favorite breakfast combinations: Past Blue Ribbon Beer, French fries, and ice cream on waffle cones.
I see you have a question. “Didn’t Mr. Columbus sail the ocean blue in 1492 and wasn't the Expo in 1893?” Oh you are smart, but someone was creative, and I’ll bet that someone was a Chicagoan. In 1492 you’re celebrating some nut-job going the wrong way off the end of the earth looking for cheap spices. But upon Columbus’ return in 1493, you’re celebrating a hero who ‘discovered a new world’. I doubt anyone is creative enough to explain why Millennium Park opened July 16, 2004 instead of anytime nearer the millennium.
Curious to know... Why would somebody invent a waffle cone? What's the skinny on the exiled Infanta Eulalia of Spain and Mrs. Palmer? ...I'll spill the beans after an adult beverage or two.
Burnham and Olmsted are two of my heroes. Read "Devil in the White City" and you’ll get an idea why. And the book’ll send shivers down your spine if you have one.
Oh, almost forgot about the German Empire’s arms buildup arriving at the Exposition. The Krupps (family or company; I don't remember but I don't think its the same entity bringing us those terrific coffee makers) brought a 240,000 pound (120 ton), 46 feet long, 6.5 foot diameter, 16.54 inch caliber gun as part of official German exhibit. The largest gun to date, this little charmer shot a 2,000 pound bullet up to 13 miles. I think my condo would have been out of range, but not by much! I’m a huge fan of today’s Germany and don't want to appear to be throwing stones, so in full disclosure the United States anchored off our Lake Michigan shores a scaled down, but still impressive replica of the USS Illinois battleship. Britain, and probably some other countries, brought their war toys too, but enough of it already.
So, that’s just a little background.