Crystals have always been associated with elegance and fortune. With its cost and so many aesthetically appealing items made of crystal, it is no wonder that crystal remains to be one of the most popular precious item. Whether it is a large crystal chandelier or small crystal favors for weddings, people do appreciate its beauty and value. So what about a structure made of crystal? Despite its name, the Crystal Palace in London that was inaugurated on 1851 was not really made of crystal but rather crystal-like materials like glass. From a distance, this architectural feat seems to shine and glitter with hundreds of square feet of glass that surround the structure.
It took Joseph Paxton years to plan and design the structure and William Cubitt engineered it. It also took additional manpower from France to complete it on time, and more than 13 million pounds to build the structure. Initially, indeed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, the building had its share of challenges until its grandeur ended on the evening of November 30, 1936.
The Grand Exhibition was the event where exhibitors around the world totaling to more than 10,000 gathered and showed their latest innovations. They had almost a million square feet to hold the exhibits and eventually the size of the structure was able to hold concerts and other public activities. The structure featured a large fountain called the Crystal Fountain that stood 27 feet tall. It was also the first structure to have a major public toilet system where visitors can pay up a penny for its use.
The structure was then moved to Penge Place where water fountains and landscaped gardens were placed. When it seemed that the public did not have the time or interest in the Crystal Palace, they started to put stalls and booths which contradicted the elegance of the place. The building faced several other problems until a major catastrophe defeated it. It started as a small fire in one of the offices inside and then eventually spread through the building. Even with hundreds of firefighters around, the fire just really seemed to be too big to handle.
The Crystal Palace leaves with it a legacy that London will always be proud of. With its innovation and luxury and many firsts that were held in it, the Crystal Palace will always be revered as one of the pioneers in architectural history.
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