The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair was definitely a defining moment in American history. It was also named the World’s Columbian Exposition to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in North America. Although the fair wasn’t perfect to honor Columbus, it was known as the fair to end all fairs. All of the money put into it was well worth it. The United States were already planning for the fair in the 1880s. New York, St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Chicago were all interested in holding the fair. The final decision led to Chicago, and New York. New York raised $15 million for it, but Chicago, raised about five million more due to the president of one of the largest banks in the Midwest, Lyman Gage. Chicago was fortunate enough …show more content…
The World’s Columbian Exposition was known as somewhere to advertise what you have created. A famous inventor named Nikola Tesla couldn’t wait to show everyone what he made. His exhibit involved AC devices, motors, armatures, and generators. Two of his creations made him well-known because of the fair. The first one was the Egg of Columbus. It demonstrated the principles of the rotating magnetic field. He made a metal egg spin by using electricity. Tesla is mainly known for his modified version of the light bulb. Everyone was amazed by his invention, but every time he turned it on, it would make noises. The worst part about all the inventions was how loud they were. Some people avoided the inventions because of that reason. If it wasn’t for Tesla’s employer, Westinghouse, the fair wouldn’t have been the same. They lit up the whole White City. Tesla wasn’t the only inventor that got recognition from the fair. William Wrigley Jr. sold soap, and baking powder at the fair. He also decided to handout gum and that became one of the most popular products. The first flavors were Juicy Fruit and then Spearmint. William Wrigley Jr. was the first to mass produce gum in 1892. Some of the other commercial products that started from the Chicago World’s Fair were cream of wheat, Juicy Fruit gum, Pabst Ribbon Beer, the dishwasher, and the fluorescent light bulb. Nothing would be the same if it wasn’t for the Chicago World’s