International exhibitions were a key feature of the cultural landscape of the second half of the nineteenth century. They provided the most powerful nations with a stage on which they could affirm their status as world leaders. Increasingly they also allowed emerging nations to celebrate their growing economic and industrial prowess. In Britain the potential challenge this presented to the exiting order was noted by a few contemporary observers who, because of what they had seen at exhibitions, were convinced that the country was at risk economically. They regarded technical education as the...