Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs, 1851-1939

"Inventing the Modern World explores innovation and its effect on the creation of objects and modern life. Objects examined here not only illustrate inventive or revived fabrication techniques, but also embody cross-cultural and cross-national influences, and reflect the significant nationalistic objectives and folkloric customs that shaped the competition inherent in the events. They also illuminate how the fairs became places where designers, makers, and consumers assembled to learn about other peoples and cultures, to make discoveries about craftsmanship and manufactures, to appropriate ideas, and to acquire works"--Cover flap.