April 14

The Kinetoscope parlor opened on April 14 on 14th Street, offering peep-show viewers a glimpse of moving pictures. Each device allowed a single person to watch brief film loops, typically featuring vaudeville acts, dancers, or everyday scenes. The novelty attracted curious crowds willing to pay a nickel per viewing. Invented by Thomas Edison and William Kennedy Dickson, the Kinetoscope set the stage for the cinema industry. Its success inspired entrepreneurs to open similar parlors in other U.S. cities. Within a few years, motion pictures evolved from individual machines to projected screenings before audiences. This shift laid the foundation for modern movie theaters and film culture worldwide.

Held on the banks of the Seine, the fair celebrated the new century with over 50 million visitors attending. Architects and designers embraced Art Nouveau, erecting iconic structures like the Grand Palais and Petit Palais. Innovations such as the moving sidewalk, early escalators, and the Paris Métro entrance designs drew widespread attention. Exhibits ranged from electric lighting demonstrations to sound film experiments, offering a glimpse into future possibilities. International pavilions displayed cultural artifacts, exotic flora, and industrial machinery. The event influenced global design trends and set new standards for world's fairs. Many of its buildings remain landmarks, testifying to the fair's lasting impact on art and engineering.