One of the revelations of the 1851 Great Exhibition was the difference between US exhibits and those of Britain, France and Germany. In some ways embarrassing b

One of the revelations of the 1851 Great Exhibition was the difference between US exhibits and those of Britain, France and Germany. In some ways embarrassing because the US was the only nation (and somewhat ridiculed as a result) not to sponsor their nation's attendance it showed a simplicity and practicality that was often absent in the European equivalents. Notably the reaper and other agricultural machinery and Colt firearms that were clearly ahead in both means of production and practicality. There's been quite a bit written that it was the first indication that the world's centre would be changing. The US had none of the baggage and history that went with having hand made, high skill crafts and could go straight to production in large numbers. Because they were starting from scratch across much of the nation they had to. Which turned out to be a huge advantage. Much as we've seen more recently with developing nations going straight to mobile phones without landlines first, or China short-cutting much of the industrial development the West had to go through. There's been a couple of credible books making the case that most of the changes of world centre through the ages have been for similar reasons. If I can bring any titles to mind I'll edit. Offhand I can't remember.