World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago

Among the many curious novelties presented to the world at the great Chicago Exhibition of 1893, was an “International Conference on Aerial Navigation” and its occurrence makes a modern step in engineering science. -W. Pole, 1896.

During the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Chanute chaired the International Conference on Aerial Navigation. Invitation letters were sent to those persons in various parts of the world who were known to be experts or students in the field of aeronautics. Forty-seven papers were selected to be presented, with ample time for discussion. Approximately 100 people attended the various conference sessions. Most of the papers were published in the “Proceedings” and the newly created journal “Aeronautics”.

As a result of these efforts and good publicity, the subject of aeronautics was put firmly into the hands of engineers and scientists.