The 19th century drew to a close with Paris’s largest World’s Fair to date, designed to celebrate the achievements of the past 100 years and give a glimpse of the innovations which would shape the next. Enduring monuments such as the Grand Palais and Petit Palais were built especially for the occasion, while the Eiffel Tower was repainted yellow and fitted with 7,000 electric lamps.

Among the many wonders on display were early escalators, diesel engines, talking pictures, and even an electric car. The Palais de l’électricité (pictured) was a major attraction. Entirely lit and decorated with electric bulbs it shone a dazzling light into the future.

Now check out the earliest photographs of the UK

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