1. Vienna’s World Fair of 1873 Laura Blanton Humanities 202 3/16/2012

2. History of World Fairs • London’s World Fair of 1851 • “To forward the progress of industrial civilization” • Fairs, expositions, and exhibitions

3. Why 1873? • Previous plans for a world fair • Regain Prestige for the Austro-Hungarian Empire • 25th Anniversary of Franz- Joseph’s coronation • The Ringstrasse and Canal Project • “Indeed, it is probably impossible that a site better adapted for the object in view could be found at any other place in the world- the near neighborhood of a great cosmopolitan city offering at once the proper area and beautiful surroundings of scenery.”

4. Highlights of the Fair • 1 May 1873- 1 November 1873 • First fair in German speaking country • Set in the Prater • Wilhelm von Schwarz-Sendborn • Peace and progress • Palaces: Agriculture, Machinery, Art, and Industry • Strauss Pavilion • Other structures in Swiss style (wooden chalets)- coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, authentic farmhouses, dance pavilions, arcades, etc.

5. The Palace of Industry • Most notable feature • Dome • Layout

6. Influences & Outcome • Economic Depression of 1873 • Viennese treatment of visitors • Cholera Epidemic Summer of 1873 • Bad weather • Loss of 15 million gulden • 7 million visitors “The international exhibition was the Austro-Hungarian empire’s final celebration at the height of its cultural grandeur before its gradual but inevitable decline early in the following century.”