EXHIBITIONS (Lat. exhibitio, from exhi bere, exhibit, from ex, out + habere, to have), INDUSTRIAL. The beginning of these exhibitions may be traced to the so-called 'fairs' held in the earlier periods of civilization, both in Asia and in Europe. These are supposed to have orig inated in religious gatherings, which first gave an opportunity for the exhibition and sale of wares to large numbers of people. From Italy they passed to France, where in G20 that of Saint Denis was instituted by Dagobert. Those of Aix la-Chapelle and Troyes date from about 800, and they were introduced into Great Britain by Alfred the Great in SSG. Toward the close of the tenth eentury they became common throughout northern Europe. Such fairs are still prevalent in Holland, although Germany is best known as the modern home of these institutions. The fair of Leipzig, for example, which dates from the twelfth century, is held three times a year, and attracts from 25,000 to 30,000 foreign merchants at each gathering. The great Russian fair at Nizhni Novgorod occurs in July and August, and the sales during its continuanee are said to amount to many millions of dollars. The im provements in the methods of commerce have led to the institution of the more recent industrial exhibitions. These have for their chief object nut the immediate sale of articles, but their exhibition to visitors as an advertisement which may ultimately increase the manufacturer's sales. The first of these modern exhibitions is believed to have been held in Paris in 179S, in the .liaison d'Orsay, and included only articles of local manu facture. This exhibition, as well as another held in Paris during the same year, was so suc vessful that Napoleon inaugurated a third exhi bition in 1802, and this in turn led to the estab lishment of similar triennial exhibitions. The Royal Dublin Society began its series of triennial exhibitions in Dublin in 1829. At first only specimens of native industry were shown, but afterwards products of foreign manufacture were shown as well. These proved popular, and sub sequently exhibitions were held periodically in other cities of the United Kingdom, notably in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. It was but natural that such exhibitions should extend to the United States, and the American Insti tute (q.v.) of New York, founded in 182S, had among its objects the holding of annual fairs at which inventors and manufacturers might ex hibit their productions. The Franklin Institute
of Philadelphia, founded in 1824, is of a similar character, and has from time to time had various expositions, chiefly devoted to the presentation of scientific developments. Also of a somewhat similar nature is the Saint Louis Exposition, which was organized in ISS3, and during each year since its inception has held an exhibition of industrial products, accompanied frequently by a display of fine arts. The fairs of the Mechanics' Institutes were a natural development of such institutions, and prevailed locally for many years; but with the establishment of museums and li braries, which in recent years have combined under their management special exhibits organ ized for the occasion, the importance of the larger exhibitions has waned, especially in the United States. With the passing of these local exhibi tions, there have came in the United States ex positions that have been seetional rather than national or local in character, and also commem orative of some historical event. Among these may he mentioned the World's Industrial Cotton Culturist Exposition, which was held in New Orleans, La., from December 16, ISS3, to June 30, 1884; the California Mid-Winter Exposi tion, held in San Francisco, from January 1 to -July 4, 1894. This was followed by the Cotton States and industrial Exposition. which was held in Atlanta, Ga., from September 15 to De cember 31, 1895; the Tennessee Centennial Ex position (q.v.), held in Nashville, Tenn., from May I to October 31, 1S97: the Trans-Mississippi Exposition (q.v.), held in Omaha, Neb., from June 1 to November 1, 1S98; the Pan-American Exposition (q.v.), held in Buffalo, N. Y., from Nay I to November 2, 1901 ; and the' South Caro lina inter-State and West Indian Exposition (q.v.), held in Charleston, S. C., from December 1, 1901, to June 1, 1902. Of less importance have been the special expositions, such as the Chicago Railway Exhibition, held in Chicago, Ill., in IS82; the Cincinnati industrial Exposi tion. held in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1883; the Elec trical Exhibition, held in Philadelphia. Pa., in 1884; the Marietta Centennial Exposition, held in Marietta, Ohio, in 1858; the Patent Centennial Celebration, held in Washington City in 1891; the National Export Exposition, held in Phila delphia, Pa., in 1899; and the Printing Exposi tion, held in New York City in 1900.