Episode 146: World’s Fairs
World’s Fairs—known globally as Universal Expositions or World Expos—are large international exhibitions designed to showcase cultural, technological, and scientific achievements. While “World’s Fair” is a term commonly used in the United States, the official governing body, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), recognizes four types: World Expos, Specialized Expos, Horticultural Expos, and the Triennale di Milano.
World Expos are the largest, held every five years, often lasting up to six months, and require participating countries to design and fund their own themed pavilions. Specialized Expos occur between World Expos, are smaller in scale, and focus on a specific theme. Horticultural Expos center on agriculture, sustainability, and green innovation. The Milan Triennale, held every three years, highlights architecture, art, and industrial design.
The earliest known fair dates to 1791 in Prague, celebrating the coronation of Leopold II. France followed with national industrial exhibitions beginning in 1798. The first widely recognized international World Expo was the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, initiated by Prince Albert and housed in the Crystal Palace.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries—often called the Industrialization Era (1851–1938)—fairs introduced groundbreaking inventions and landmarks. The Eiffel Tower (1889 Paris), Ferris Wheel (1893 Chicago), television (1939 New York), and the Space Needle (1962 Seattle) all debuted at expos.
After 1939, fairs shifted toward intercultural dialogue—the Cultural Exchange Era—exemplified by Expo 67 in Montreal, which introduced Habitat 67. Since 1988, historians describe a National Branding Era, where countries increasingly use pavilions to shape global image and attract economic investment.
The next World Expo will take place in 2030 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, continuing a tradition that blends innovation, culture, and global ambition.
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This transcript was prepared during the development of the episode.
Final recorded episode may deviate slightly from the content presented below as changes, edits, or improvements may be made during the recording and editing process.
References
Wikipedia contributors. “1939 New York World’s Fair.” Wikipedia, 13 Feb. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939_New_York_World%27s_Fair.
---. “Crystal Palace, London.” Wikipedia, 8 Feb. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace,_London.
“World Expos.” Bureau International Des Expositions, www.bie-paris.org/site/en/expo-index/all-world-expos. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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