Why we need a new "big show"

This week we published a report calling on the UK to hold a major new exhibition to show the importance of innovation and inspire the next generation of inventors among the general public.

The original Great Exhibition was held in 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park and built on a long and successful tradition of using industry exhibits to demonstrate the latest advances in technology, as well as to inspire and fostering innovation in areas such as science and manufacturing.

The Great Exhibition attracted six million visitors, equivalent to a third of Britain's population (including celebrities from Queen Victoria to Karl Marx, and Charles Darwin to Michael Faraday), and featured exhibits such as a precursor to the fax machine, an early submarine, rudimentary photographic techniques and voting machines, and featured the world's first pay toilets (hence the phrase "spend a penny") ).

In Master Plan for a Great New Exhibition , historian and head of innovation research at the Entrepreneurs' Network, Dr. Anton Howes presents the case for a major new exhibition and explains how to make it a success. Recent attempts to recreate historic industry exhibits, including the ill-fated Unboxed Festival (also dubbed the “Brexit Festival”), have failed to achieve their goals. Howes blames these attempts for "missing the point", focusing primarily on "big events to attract visitors, promote tourism and provide entertainment" - and not always even succeeding in doing so.

Howes argues that a new Great Exhibition should aim to "recapture the spirit" of the Great Exhibition of 1851 - the original World's Fair - with an explicit emphasis on: showcasing the latest innovations in of science, technology and art; foster cooperation, trade and learning among innovators; and educate and inspire the public.

The report was endorsed by many great and good, including Emma Jones CBE, Founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation, who said: "If there was ever a time when the UK needed "a great industry exhibition is now. In this report, Anton references the serendipity of connections, celebrating progress and inspiring the next generation of innovators. These are real benefits of hosting such an event ambitious and I would also say that it could send a message to the world that our industrial and innovative country remains open for business."

Howes says that a unique new structure should be built to house or accompany the exhibit, which itself could serve as a demonstration of the latest innovation in construction - using modern building materials and methods, like 3D printing. In addition to the Crystal Palace, previous World's Fair structures with lasting legacies include the Eiffel Tower in Paris (1889), the Space Needle in Seattle (1962), and the Atomium in Brussels (1958). He even launched a poll on Twitter of four possible designs created with Midjourney.

James Wise, Partner at