Discussion: Historical signifcance of expositions
What historical reason was there for holding the Paris Exposition? What were some of the modern techniques that were used to create the symbol of the exposition â?" the Eiffel Tower? What kind of reaction did the tower receive from the Parisians? Why, if it was supposed to be a temporary structure, has it remained as a Parisian landmark? Describe some of the other buildings constructed for the exposition and detail their uses.
What historical reason was there for holding the World Exposition in Chicago? Describe the buildings constructed for this exposition and explain why they were built in this way. Explain what the general style of these buildings was supposed to represent and how landscaping helped generate a sense of unity throughout the fair area.
In the years since these two expositions, there have been quite a number of World Fairs, and we associate certain structures as symbolic of them. For example, the Seattle World's Fair left us with the Space Needle, the World's Fair in Brussels gave us the Atomium, and New York City's World's Fair was symbolized by the Unisphere.