This chapter discusses the tremendous changes in society activated by the Industrial Revolution, which brought with these changes the need to explain, educate and interest the people in the new artifacts that had been made possible by invention, improved design and production techniques in ways not previously considered or even thought necessary. The reasons for this were two-fold: the need to find markets for the newly manufactured goods, and to the need ensure a ready supply of skilled workmen to produce them.

The mechanics' institutes were important for the future of technology exhibitions in Britain particularly for the interest they engendered in the public, shown by the impressive attendance figures for their exhibitions in the 1840s. It is at this level that they can be seen as a stimulant to later discussions at the Society of Arts on the planning for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

This chapter discusses the Great Exhibition of 1851 that was held in the Crystal Palace, and looks at the various exhibits.

This chapter discusses international exhibitions held outside of Britain.

This chapter discusses specialist electrical exhibitions.

This chapter discusses exhibitions that were held between the two World Wars.

This chapter discusses world fairs and trade fairs held since World War 2, including the varioud 'Expo' fairs.

In this book, we have traced the technical features of exhibitions from their beginnings in medieval times as essentially trading and barter events, often allied with religious festivals, to the present day with its all-embracing technical exhibitions, highly dependent on electronics and information technology. We have looked particularly at the way electrical technology has been shown and considered, initially as a mysterious force to the general public and imperfectly understood by its early practitioners, to its exploitation at the present time for all aspects of the presentation and content of world fairs.