What is the most important trend explored in this chapter?

The most important trend explored in this chapter was the trend of Expositions of Commerce which eventually evolved into department stores. From the mid 1800's, fairs or what was otherwise known as expositions were held to teach, as explained in our text"a lesson of things".  As the early 1900's rolled around, Paris began to hold expositions that featured an menagerie of tools and exhibits of machinery, that were the newest inventions of the modern age.


There were also expositions held to show the wonders of scientific discovery, including the making of electricity, and the beginning of the photograph age.  As the decades continued, these expositions began to evolve into something quite different.  They began to place price tags on items and starting selling things right from the expo.  They also started to use advertising to entice the participants into wanting the products and services that were being displayed.  Then they started adding food and entertainment to these venues.  Pretty soon what was meant to be an educational forum, became a medium to entice all that entered the hall.


Eventually these expos also included information about far off foreign places, enticing individuals to travel abroad.  Eventually these expos became so popular that, Marketers decided to start their own "department stores" which could offer numerous goods and services for a set price, enabling them to encourage buying of their products for a set price.  This eliminated the bartering for what the consumer was going to pay, and in essence, gave the buyer more time to gaze at the merchandise, allowing their senses to be overwhelmed with the feeling that they "must have" the products.


This trend is still alive and well and in place today.  Goods and services are offered in the exact same way, whether you are traveling in Paris or living in the  U.S., goods and services are offered in numerous places to be purchased and consumed.