The Machinery Section, situated at the western end of the Main Building of the International Exhibition of 1888, was the area where the exhibition came to life. Demonstrations of heavy engineering machinery and working exhibits made it the highlight for many visitors, although some found the noise and smells overpowering.
The illustration shows a woman working with the revolving comfit pans of John Gray & Co, with seeds being coated with sugar to produce sweets. Visitors can be seen looking down from the gallery.
Women workers featured prominently in several areas of the Exhibition. There was a Women's Industries section at the eastern end of the Main Avenue where traditional “feminine crafts” such as lace-making, weaving, needlework and perfume manufacturing were on display.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC f606.4 (1888)
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries and Archives
Keywords:
comfit pans, engineering, exhibitions, International Exhibition, 1888, John Gray & Co, machinery, seeds, smells, sugar, sweets, weaving, women, Women's Industries