The World Exposition of 1889 in Paris.

The World
Exposition of
1889 in Paris.
Why have a World Exposition?


Each universal exposition
was a showcase from the
middle of the 19th century
for French technical and
scientific progress
Before the 1889
exposition, there had
been others: 1855, 1867
and 1878
1889


1789 was the year
which saw the
Storming of the Bastille
and the start of the
French Revolution.
1889 – The French
Revolution celebrated
its centenary and
France wanted to
commemorate this with
a World Expo.
Where would the Expo be held?






In all it covered 96
hectares
le Champs de Mars
le Trocadéro
le quai d'Orsay
A part of the Seine river
The Esplanade in front of
Les Invalides.

On the right, the
Champs de Mars.
How did the French feel about this?



The French were not at all in
agreement with celebrating the
Revolution.
Even worse, the majority of
countries invited were monarchies.
They certainly did not want to
encourage a celebration that
commemorated a revolution!
Consequently the international
profile of the Expo was a little
« fragile » during the preparations
for the event.
The participants?

Nevertheless, some
countries wanted to
participate indirectly in
the Expo.








Greece
Japan
Serbia
Persia
Siam (now Thailand)
Turkey
Russia
The majority of Latin
American countries.
Attractions?



What could be done
to attract people?
You could offer “a
magic garden” in
“fairyland” ?
World Expo not only
offered this but also
much more
A special attraction.




To be assured of an international
customer base, there had to be an
attraction that was « different ».
An architectural competition was
organised.
More than 107 entrants suggested
projects that were varied and even
weird.
One of them was for an enormous
guillotine 30 metres in height!
The Eiffel Tower




The supreme symbol for the
1889 Expo was obviously the
Eiffel Tower.
However, the Tower was not
really liked by the Parisians.
A petition from 47 famous
artists called it « a useless and
monstrous building. »
They demanded that work
should be stopped on the
Tower.
An unworthy monument.

People thought that
the Eiffel Tower had
no place on the
Parisian landscape
beside other, more
noble, monuments.
Electricity.

Expo 1889 introduced a
important innovation: the use
of electricity




Bridges
Gardens
Pavilions
And the Eiffel Tower
were all illuminated.
 The Eiffel Tower was literally
enveloped in light rays
 It had a very powerful light at its
top (see the photo at the right)
Modern life.




The introduction of
electricity changed visitors’
habits.
You could visit the Expo at
night
The opening hours were
extended to midnight
It marked the beginning of
modern urban life.
Gustav Eiffel


Mr. Eiffel had an office
at the top of the
tower, where he went
to work every day.
He had an immense
pride in the project,
which lasted for the
rest of his life.
La Galerie des Machines

This is « la galerie des machines », which
no longer exists, for it was demolished in
1910-1911.
La Galerie de Machines


The huge building was 420 metres long, 115 metres
wide and 43 metres high!
It was one of the biggest building in existence and, at
the time, had a greater importance than the Eiffel
Tower.
Fashion.



What would you wear
going to the Expo?
Here’s a picture from
« Figaro Exposition
1889 » – the English
version.
A lady dressed up to
her nines is visiting
the Expo.
Facts and figures 1.




Expo accounts
Expenses : 41 500 000 Fr
Receipts : 49 500 000 Fr
Profits : 8 000 000 Fr

An entry ticket
Facts and figures 2


Number of visitors :
28 000 000
Number of exhibitors :
61 722