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10/01/2003 Archived Entry: "Crystal Palace"

While most architects seem to argue over what modern architecture is, there seems to be little disagreement as to what was the first example of modern architecture. The Crystal Palace was for the Great Exhibition in the mid-nineteenth century. A big glass multi-purpose space. How modern.

The building caught my attention lately because I was reading about the very early days of television, and found out that John Logie Baird had a lab there in 1936 when the building burned down. First I was amazed that the building was still around almost to WWII times. Secondly I was amazed that it burned down. It was glass and metal.

I guess it makes sense that a building that was successful as a showplace would continue to be used, but then I found out that it was moved after the Great Exhibition. Again, very modern. And I suppose it had a long tradition of showing off "wonders" so early television experiments no doubt seemed wonderous to folks still getting used to talkies.

Frustatingly, nobody seems to know exactly how the pretty thing burned down. Baird mucking about with TV-tube prototypes may have had something to do with it. How sad. The Crystal Palace could still be standing now if they had been a little more careful. Oh, wait a minute. London was really pelted with bombs in the war. Glass buildings probably don't hold up against V-2's very well.

Oh well...it was doomed I guess.

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