1-156-828 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Great Exhibition, Hyde Park, London, 1851. Interior view of the Crystal Palace showing two visitors being shown a stand of oriental products. In the right hand front corner a man and woman admire plants in a Wardian case. 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.