Forward to 1819, Paris FR – Exposition Universelle (5th)
Forward to next Munich entry – 1854
Back to 1817, Nizhny-Novgorod RS – Makaryev Fair
Back to Getting Noticed – Back to bobdenton.com home
1818 Munich
| Name: | First General German Industrial Exhibition |
| Dates: | 15th July – 15 October 1854 |
| Days: | |
| Venue: | |
| Theme: | |
| Exhibitors: | 6,588 exhibitors |
| Awards: | |
| Visitors: | 5,000 visitors per day; with 90,000 on the first day. |
| Legacy: |
In 1854 the First General German Industrial Exhibition was held at Munich. This was the first German city that tried to get into the global industrial exhibitions’ battle, but the event was marred by a cholera outbreak.
The display was not International in the broadest sense, though it was not confined to the products of Bavaria. King Maximilian II of Bavaria initiated this exhibition, as part of his aim to promote the Zollverein customs union. Yet, Bavaria was primarily agricultural until well after WWII. The region’s wealth was inextricably linked with crops, livestock, forestry and farm products, thus agricultural fairs had been around for a very long time.
Their venue was the Glaspalast, which sought to emulate the lines of London’s Crystal Palace.
It was located near the railway station. Made of iron and glass it offered two floors that were 67m (220ft) wide x 234m long (768ft) and was 25m high (82 ft). It was intended to become a botanic garden after the first show, but went on to host other exhibitions; from 1889 these were art exhibitions.
The show opened on 15th July – 15 October 1854, there were 6,588 exhibitors and they attracted 5,000 visitors per day; with 90,000 on the first day.
A cholera pandemic hit the city and the show. First the staff and then the visitors contracted it, some 3,000 died. Munich had attempted to create a major international exhibition, but was unfortunate.
Forward to 1819, Paris FR – Exposition Universelle (5th)
Forward to next Munich entry – 1854
Back to 1817, Nizhny-Novgorod RS – Makaryev Fair
Back to Getting Noticed – Back to bobdenton.com home
