History of Universal Expositions

For almost two centuries, universal expositions have contributed to the development of humanity, since in addition to being a space for international dialogue, they are the means through which the world’s fundamental advances in the fields of technology, environment and social development are made known.

Universal expositions are distinguished from international trade fairs and expositions by the purpose that drives them, as well as by their periodicity. Universal expositions do not have a specific periodicity, but are convened according to global concern over diverse topics, such as technological progress or solutions to the problems faced by contemporary societies.

Universal expositions can be defined as a sort of pedagogical and technical museum that enable the progress of civilization as a whole to be recognized. They are manifestations of a public nature in which industrial, commercial or artistic products are exhibited.

The first universal exposition took place in London in 1851, organized by the Society of Arts, with the aim of showing the world the progress implied by the Industrial Revolution. Paris, for its part, decided to organize its first universal exposition in 1855, which took place on the Champs Élysées.

In 1862 another great exposition was inaugurated in London, which was attended by more than 6 million visitors. Five years later, in 1867, the French government and the Paris City Hall organized a new universal exposition which was attended by some 43,000 exhibitors and more than 6 million 800 thousand visitors. Vienna held a universal exposition in 1873, the largest organized to that date. Three years later the first great universal exposition was organized in Philadelphia, in the United States, to commemorate the centenary of the country’s Declaration of Independence.

Paris hosted its third universal exposition in 1878, followed by Melbourne in 1880 and Barcelona in 1888. In 1889, the French capital was the seat of a fourth universal exposition, organized with the aim of commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. This exhibition brought together some 62,000 exhibitors and over 32 million visitors. The Eiffel Tower was built specially for the occasion.

Toward the end of the 19th century, universal expositions became the showcase of modernity. Each country’s pavilion reflected the last word in arts and architecture. Since that time, these exhibitions have been endorsed by the mass participation of exhibitors and visitors, which are counted in millions, and therefore they have had important economic and social effects in the countries or regions where they have been held.

In 1928, the International Expositions Office (BIE by its French acronym) was created in Paris to control the frequency and supervise the functioning of universal fairs. 156 countries have accepted subjecting themselves to the mandate of this Office.

The public’s backing of universal expositions continues to increase as they make it possible to obtain a general world view, as well as a fascinating approximation to the future.