The Universal Expositions used to be events born to present their visitors with the most meaningful discoveries and products; places to go to satisfy your curiosity, but also opportunities for interaction between producers and buyers. The largest exhibitions took place between the mid-nineteenth century and the First World War and they will always be remembered for the achievements showcased and for their importance in a society that was entering the modern era.
The study, conducted by Fondazione Neri by consulting albums, catalogs and texts preserved in its archives, investigates origins and progressive development of the Universal Expositions, focusing in particular on those events during which cast iron structures or products were protagonists. Every year more and more artistic foundries were opening and competing with each others to achieve the best and boldest results.