1-157-810 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, London, 1851. An interior view of the main avenue looking eastwards. Conceived by Prince Albert, the Great Exhibition was intended to showcase the 'Works of the Industry of all Nations'. It was housed in the purpose-built Crystal Palace, the first large-scale prefabricated ferrovitreous (iron and glass) structure, designed by the gardener and architect Joseph Paxton. The prefabricated design made the construction, and later dismantling of the building, easier and quicker. The iron framework of the building is clearly visible in this illustration.