A Social History
The history of the CNE is a reflection of Canadian social history. As Canadians changed so did the CNE. Developments brought on by new technology, changing values, and even Canada’s role in international affairs, have been well represented at the CNE. The development of the automobile was linked to the CNE and automobile shows quickly became popular attractions, leading eventually to the development of the spacious Automotive Building in 1929.
The development of communications technology in Canada also has a strong link with the CNE. Early experiments with the telephone were conducted publicly at the Exhibition. Both radio and television had their Canadian beginnings at the CNE. In 1938, 14 years before television reached the homes of Canadians, and an experimental demonstration was done in the Horticulture Building with sound and pictures, travelling by wire to the Automotive Building (the program consisted of an interview with boxer Jack Dempsey and Gordon Sinclair). In 1991, Canadians were able to experience virtual reality for the first time at the CNE.
Automobiles at The EX!
At the first Canadian National Exhibition in 1879, fair-goers arrived in horsedrawn carriages, on bicycles, by railway or steamship. The automobile was still in its infancy, an experimental vehicle that few had ever actually seen. Less than twenty years later, in 1897, the CNE brought the automobile to the Canadian public in exhibits that, for many, would be their first encounter with this marvel of engineering. By 1903, a growing interest in various modes of transportation convinced CNE organizers to dedicate the Crystal Palace (or Main Building) solely to transportation exhibits. Among the carriages, street car and railway exhibits,motor cars were also featured.
One year later, in 1904, an exhibit and demonstration of automobiles was held in the Grandstand. This was the first time that automobiles were organized as a separate feature at the CNE, and it was a great success. In fact, automobile exhibits were becoming so popular that in 1909 a new venue for auto shows was constructed: Transportation Building.
The continued growth and national prominence of the CNE's auto exhibit led to its becoming known as the National Motor Show in 1916. The show had the distinction of being the first auto show on the continent to feature the comingyear's models.
With each passing year, the demand for increased Motor Show exhibit space grew more pressing. Finally, in 1929, the Automotive Building was constructed. Built at a cost of $1,000,229 the Automotive Building boasted 120,000 square feet of exhibit space on two levels. By the late 1930s, the great depression and the threat of war resulted in fewer new models being introduced at the CNE Motor Show. With the start of the SecondWorld War, the shows primarily featured exhibits of military vehicles.
The auto shows of the 1950s were not merely displays of vehicles, but elaborate productions designed to show-off the latest models, present experimental car designs, and educate the public about the manufacture of automobiles. Not only were North American and British manufacturers represented, so were European auto-makers.
The 1960s saw a continuation of the trend of featuring experimental and space age car designs. Asian auto manufacturers, such as Isuzu, Nissan and Toyota, also took their place among the North American and European manufacturers.
1967 was the final year that the CNE presented the automobile industry's latest offerings. The CNE continued to present special automotive attractions elsewhere on the grounds, but the era of the great automotive extravaganza had come to a close.
The automobile did not disappear entirely from CNE program with the close of the 1967 Motor Show. Just as it always had, the CNE continued to present numerous other special automobile attractions such as auto racing, daredevil stunt teams, the Antique Car Parade and Rally and in 1998, the Car of the Century exhibit.
Science and Technology at the CNE
The Canadian National Exhibition, or the "Ex" as it is popularly known,was founded in 1879 for the purpose of fostering the development of agriculture, industry and the arts. In fulfilling its mandate, the CNE has always featured exhibits on the latest technological advances in industry and agriculture. CNE patrons were introduced to electric railway transportation in 1883, to Edison's phonograph in 1888, to the wireless telephone in the 1890s, to radio in 1922, to television in 1939, to plastics and synthetics in the 1940s and 1950s and to Virtual Reality in 1992. Activities in the CNE Coliseum continue to be aimed at keeping Canadian farmers abreast of changes and improvements in the agricultural sciences.Originally called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, the name was officially changed to the Canadian National Exhibition in 1912 to better represent what the fair had become: "A Show Window of the Nation."
The Early Years
Prior to 1879, an annual fair organized by the Provincial Agricultural Association and the Board for Agriculture for Canada West was held in a different Ontario city each year. The success of the 1878 Fair in Toronto prompted local politicians and business leaders to lobby (against heavy opposition) for a permanent Exhibition in Toronto. On March 11, 1879 the Provincial Legislature passed "An Act to Incorporate the Industrial Exhibition Association of Toronto". A Board of Directors was formed representing the variousorganizations which had supported a permanent annual Exhibition in Toronto and on September 3rd 1879 the first Toronto Industrial Exhibition opened for a three week run on lands leased by the City of Toronto in what is now Exhibition Place.General admission was 25 cents and more than 100,000 people attended. The public proclamation announcing the first Exhibition opened with the following: "The City of Toronto having, at a very large outlay, secured new exhibition grounds and buildings, second to none in the Dominion, it has been considered desirable that an annual exhibition, for the promotion of Agriculture, Horticulture, Arts and Industries generally, should be established and held, therein, on a somewhat larger scale than has heretofore been attempted."
Sport Over the Years
From its very beginning sporting events have always been an integral part of the Canadian National Exhibition. In its opening year of 1879, the CNE hosted the Caledonian Games. From this modest beginning, the number and types of sporting events grew steadily to include archery,automobile racing, baseball, basketball, bathtub racing, boxing, canoeing,darts, diving, dog derbies, fencing, football, frisbee, gymnastics, handball,harness horse racing, judo, karate, motorboat racing, rowing races, sailing, skateboarding, snooker, soccer, swimming, marathon swims, track and field, water-skiing, weightlifting and innumerable sports demonstrations. The marathon swims, held at the waterfront in the late1920s, did more to capture the attention and enthusiasm of the public than any other sporting event held up to that time. The excitement of the early marathon swims was only equalled in 1954 when Marilyn Bell became the first person to conquer Lake Ontario by swimming across the lake in an odyssey that lasted 20 hours and 56 minutes.
The CNE has been home to the Blue Jay Baseball Club, the Blizzard Soccer Team and Argonaut Football Club. Since 1986, the CNE has also hosted the annual Molson Indy Champ Car race. In 1990, the CNE provided the not-so-faint-of-heart with a chance to participate in the newest of sports: bungee jumping.
The Military Tradition
Through the years, music and stage entertainment at the CNE responded to public tastes. In the early years military bands, particularly those representing famous units of the British and Empire Armed services, were the prevalent musical entertainmentat the CNE. Grand historical pageants in the Grandstand also reflected the times. The last of these, "Britannia", performed in 1941 was a clear rallying call to all members of the British Empire. In the heyday of the postwar years, lighter entertainment was called for with performers like Danny Kaye, Olsen and Johnson and Bob Hope providing the entertainment. Some of Canada’s darkest years were also dark years for the CNE. In April 1942, the decision to give the Canadian Government the facilities at Exhibition Park on a rent-free basis was made. A month later it was resolved that the CNE would be discontinued for the duration of the war. The grounds became home to thousands of soldiers. Most slept in the stalls of the Horse Palace. In the end, the CNE lost five years of its usual history, but it served a need and contributed to Canada’s war effort. Today, the military tradition continues at the CNE with the annual presentation of the Warriors' Day Parade held on the first Saturday of each Exhibition.