Philadelphia: The Centennial Exposition
May 10, 1876 to November 10, 1876
"While there had been a few half-hearted attempts before, the U.S. entry into the world's fair sweepstakes came on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the republic. Philadelphia was the natural site for this Centennial Exhibition, which centered on a vast machinery hall, holding 13 acres of new devices, widgets, and gadgets." (park.org)
A cartoon celebrating the centennial of the United States portraying the Philadelphia World's Fair of 1876. Between Brother Jonathan's feet the North American continent, crossed by a railroad, appears on a half globe. (Library of Congress 1876)
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Poster for the U.S. Centennial Exposition in 1876, which brought thousands of visitors to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Library of Congress 1980)
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Drawing by Alexander Graham Bell (Library of Congress 1876)
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New technology that was introduced included the Corliss steam engine, created by George Henry Corliss, that could power 13 acres of machinery and the telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
"The Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil put Bell's strange device to his ear, then quickly dropped it, exclaiming 'My God, It talks!'" (park.org) "The Corliss engine does not lend itself to description; its personal acquaintance must be sought by those who would understand its vast and almost silent grandeur. It rises loftily in the centre of the huge structure, an athlete of steel and iron with not a superfluous ounce of metal on it; the mighty walking beams plunge their pistons downward, the enormous flywheel revolves with a hoarded power that makes all tremble, the hundred life like details do their office with unerring intelligence." (William Dean Howells) |
President Grant and Dom Pedro starting the Corliss engine / from a sketch by Theo. R. Davis (Library of Congress 1876)
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There were buildings for the countries and organizations participating in the exposition to show their advancements and expose their traditions.
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