CNE Exhibits – Promoting Growth of Agriculture, Industry & the Arts

1980s - ColecoVision video game exhibit at The Ex
1980s – ColecoVision video game exhibit at The Ex (CNE Archives)

The Canadian National Exhibition began in 1879. Its purpose was to promote the growth of agriculture, industry and the arts. In the early 1900s, while the fair kept farmers up to date with the improvements in agricultural sciences, it began highlighting the changes in Canadian society and shifted its focus to industry.

For many years, people went to The Ex to see the latest consumer products, innovations and even inventions.

Historic Firsts at the Canadian National Exhibition

Some of the significant technological breakthroughs first presented at the Exhibition include:

  • In 1883, the world’s first commercial electric railway.
  • In 1888, Thomas Edison’s phonograph was introduced.
  • In 1899, the first wireless telephone was on exhibit. A phonograph was in one of the Exhibition buildings, while the telephone receiver was in another.
  • In 1922, a crowd of thousands gathered outside the Radio Building at the CNE to hear a radio transmission.
  • In the late 1930s, patrons of The Ex got their first look at a television by RCA Victor.
  • Through the 1940s and ’50s, plastics and synthetics were first introduced.
  • In 1992, visitors to the CNE could put on a headset and step into virtual-reality gaming.

Exhibits at The Ex

1888 - Demonstration of the telephone at the Exhibition
1888 – Demonstration of the telephone at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)

Throughout the early years, while the latest in farm machinery was on display for those in agriculture, significant technological advancements like the telephone (1888) were also being demonstrated.

As Canada’s Greatest Fair shifted from agriculture to industry, more consumer products were unveiled. Some of the items on display to CNE patrons included:

  • From the turn of the 20th century, Christie’s Biscuits were promoted at the Exhibition by print display in ads or at a booth.
  • In 1917, Consumers Gas Company was promoting “Modern Gas Illumination,” which included table lamps as well as wall and ceiling fixtures. They were advertised as “artistic and eye-resting.” That same year, the company also had “Safety Gas Irons” on display. They were touted as being “wasteless and economical.”
  • Since 1929, the newest vehicles could be seen in the Automotive Building. Early on, automobile enthusiasts could see cars/companies like Auburn, Hupmobile by Hupp Motor Car Company of Detroit and Pontiac. In the decades to follow, experimental/concept cars were shown by the “Big Three” automakers. Today the Automotive Building is known as the Beanfield Centre.
  • In 1937, Consumers Gas Co. salespeople were showing their latest radiant gas fireplaces, gas refrigeration and more.
  • In 1953, years after CNE visitors had their first look at TV, the device became mainstream.
  • In the 1950s, before Lorne Greene became Ben Cartwright on Bonanza, he was a huge radio personality. The Ottawa-born Mr Greene broadcast for CKEY while promoting Alka-Seltzer at the CNE.
  • Throughout the years, the TTC has showcased their latest streetcars, subways, buses and routes, including the upcoming Bloor-Danforth-University subway line.
  • In the 1960s, consumers saw “the new Lady Schick Consolette,” advertised as a “portable-professional” hairdryer.
  • Also, in the ’60s, Borden’s had demonstrations on the various ways to use their dairy products. They also had ice cream booths on The Midway.
  • In the 1980s, ColecoVision came out with their second-generation home video game console. It cost approximately $200, and popular games included Donkey Kong and Lady Bug.
1950s - Boy with a Hereford bull in front of the Swine Pavilion at the Canadian National Exhibition
1950s – Boy with a Hereford bull in front of the Swine Pavilion at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)

Animals at the CNE

Animals have always been and continue to be a huge attraction, whether for competition or display. While livestock structures always existed on Exhibition grounds, during the 1920s and early 1930s, many of the present-day buildings were constructed. They include the Coliseum and its East and West Annexes, the Cattle Pavilion, Swine Pavilion and Horse Palace.

Another exhibit is The CNE Farm. Located in the Better Living Centre, it lets visitors get up close to over 130 farmyard animals like piglets, alpacas, sheep, chickens, goats, cows and more. A few demonstrations at The Farm include sheep shearing and how cows are milked.

Garden Science in the Horticulture Building

For decades, CNE patrons could see award-winning flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables on display inside the Horticulture Building. The previous Horticultural Hall was replaced in 1907 with today’s stunning domed Beaux-Arts pavilion that’s now home to the Toronto Event Centre.

CNE Exhibits Photos

1879 - Dairy Building and Horticultural Hall at the Exhibition
1879 – Dairy Building and Horticultural Hall at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1883 - The first commercial electric railway at the Exhibition
1883 – The first commercial electric railway at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1888 - Telephone demonstration at the Exhibition
1888 – Telephone demonstration at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1891 - Ad for Dunbar's Prize Linen Threads
1891 – Ad for Dunbar’s Prize Linen Threads (CNE Archives)
1890s - Columbia Records display at the Exhibition
1890s – Columbia Records display at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1899 - Ad for Cowan's Hygienic Cocoa in an Exhibition program
1899 – Ad for Cowan’s Hygienic Cocoa in an Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1903 - Fruit and experiment stations in the Horticulture Hall
1903 – Fruit and experiment stations in the Horticulture Hall (CNE Archives)
1906 - Cheese display at the Dairy Building
1906 – Cheese display at the Dairy Building (CNE Archives)
1905 - Canadian National Exhibition Toronto exhibitor's ticket
1905 – Canadian National Exhibition Toronto exhibitor’s ticket (CNE Archives)
1907 - Farm equipment display and Grandstand at the Canadian National Exhibition
1907 – Farm equipment display and Grandstand at the Canadian National Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 271)
1913 - Exhibit for The Domestic Vacuum Cleaner Co. of Canada in the Manufacturers Building
1913 – Exhibit for The Domestic Vacuum Cleaner Co. of Canada in the Manufacturers Building (CNE Archives)
1914 - The Live Stock Building at the Exhibition
1914 – The Live Stock Building at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1916 - Exhibit by WH Banfield & Sons Limited in Machinery Hall
1916 – Exhibit by WH Banfield & Sons Limited in Machinery Hall (CNE Archives)
1916 - Ad for Wollnough Corsetiers in an Exhibition program
1916 – Ad for Wollnough Corsetiers in an Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1917 - Exhibit of gas lighting, including table lamps, wall and ceiling fixtures at the CNE
1917 – Exhibit of gas lighting, including table lamps, wall and ceiling fixtures at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 932)
1918 - Consumers Gas Company display of safety gas irons at the CNE
1918 – Consumers Gas Company display of safety gas irons at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 720)
Circa 1918 - Modern living room exhibit with gas radiant fire and gas lighting fixtures at the CNE
Circa 1918 – Modern living room exhibit with gas radiant fire and gas lighting fixtures at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 715)
Circa 1918 – Thrift Cooking Demonstration exhibit at the CNE
Circa 1918 – Thrift Cooking Demonstration exhibit at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 707)
1920 – H. P. Sauce ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1920 – H. P. Sauce ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1920 - The Toronto Daily Star Radio Building at the CNE
1920 – The Toronto Daily Star Radio Building at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 3048)
1920s - Toronto Star radio station truck at the Canadian National Exhibition
1920s – Toronto Star radio station truck at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1927 - Ad for Northern Electric Company Limited in the CNE catalogue
1927 – Ad for Northern Electric Company Limited in the CNE catalogue (CNE Heritage)
1920s - Automobile show inside the Transportation Building at the Exhibition
1920s – Automobile show inside the Transportation Building at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1928 - Eaton's ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1928 – Eaton’s ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1928 – Weston’s ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1928 – Weston’s ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1929 - Ad for Christie's Arrowroot Biscuits in an Exhibition program
1929 – Ad for Christie’s Arrowroot Biscuits in an Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1929 - Westinghouse ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1929 – Westinghouse ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1929 – Winchester-Cigarettes ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1929 – Winchester-Cigarettes ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1929 – Victor-Radio ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1929 – Victor-Radio ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1931 - GH Wood & Co. Limited display
1931 – GH Wood & Co. Limited display (CNE Archives)
1931 – Gray Coach Lines exhibit at the CNE
1931 – Gray Coach Lines exhibit at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 8868)
1933 - Gas Refrigeration exhibit at The EX
1933 – Gas Refrigeration exhibit at The EX (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 446)
1935 – A&P – The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea CO. LTD ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program
1935 – A&P – The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea CO. LTD ad in the Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1936 - Auto Show in the Automotive Building at the Canadian National Exhibition
1936 – Auto Show in the Automotive Building at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1936 – Typing Competition Finalists at The Ex
1936 – Typing Competition Finalists at The Ex (CNE Archives)
1936 – Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition
1936 – Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1930s - Sweet Caporal exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition
1930s – Sweet Caporal exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1930s - Canada Packers Limited display
1930s – Canada Packers Limited display (CNE Archives)
1936 - Christie's Biscuit display
1936 – Christie’s Biscuit display (CNE Archives)
1937 - Consumers Gas Company appliances on display with salespeople
1937 – Consumers Gas Company appliances on display with salespeople (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1034, Item 634)
1938 - Ad for a Nash "Sleeping Comfort Anywhere" automobile exhibit
1938 – Ad for a Nash “Sleeping Comfort Anywhere” automobile exhibit (CNE Archives)
1938 - The TTC's New Streamliner Car exhibit at The Ex
1938 – The TTC’s New Streamliner Car exhibit at The Ex (CNE Archives)
1939 - RCA television display at the Exhibition
1939 – RCA television display at the Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1940 - Ad for an Underwood typewriting battle taking place in the General Exhibits Building
1940 – Ad for an Underwood typewriting battle taking place in the General Exhibits Building (CNE Archives)
1947 - Ad for Loblaws at the Canadian National Exhibition
1947 – Ad for Loblaws at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1947 - Ad for Bendix home laundry washer in an Exhibition program
1947 – Ad for Bendix home laundry washer in an Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1947 - Planter's Peanuts ad In Canadian National Exhibition program
1947 – Planter’s Peanuts ad In Canadian National Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1949 - RCA Victor exhibit at the CNE
1949 – RCA Victor exhibit at the CNE (CNE Archives)
1950s - Boy with a Hereford bull in front of the Swine Pavilion at the Canadian National Exhibition
1950s – Boy with a Hereford bull in front of the Swine Pavilion at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1953 - CNE TV exhibit
1953 – CNE TV exhibit (CNE Archives)
1950s - Lorne Greene broadcasting for CKEY and promoting Alka-Seltzer at the CNE
1950s – Lorne Greene broadcasting for CKEY and promoting Alka-Seltzer at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 3080)
1954 - Chrysler Experimental Car on display at the CNE
1954 – Chrysler Experimental Car on display at the CNE (CNE Archives)
1955 – Kitchen World exhibit with Marie Fraser at the Canadian National Exhibition
1955 – Kitchen World exhibit with Marie Fraser at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1953 - TTC subway cars on display at the CNE
1953 – TTC subway cars on display at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1567, Series 577, Item 102)
1957 - Ad for Simpson's in an Exhibition program
1957 – Ad for Simpson’s in an Exhibition program (CNE Archives)
1959 - TTC exhibit in the Government Building at the CNE
1959 – TTC exhibit in the Government Building at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Series 648, File 54, ID 1)
1960s - General Motors car show in the Automotive Building at the CNE
1960s – General Motors car show in the Automotive Building at the CNE (CNE Archives)
1960s - Exhibits Building at the Canadian National Exhibition, the building was torn down in 1972
1960s – Exhibits Building at the Canadian National Exhibition, the building was torn down in 1972 (CNE Archives)
1960s - A "100 Jobs for Women" exhibit
1960s – A “100 Jobs for Women” exhibit (CNE Archives)
1960s - Boy listening to a transistor radio at the Canadian National Exhibition
1960s – Boy listening to a transistor radio at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1960s - Kitten Sweater Models at the Canadian National Exhibition
1960s – Kitten Sweater Models at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1961 – TTC subway cars on display at the CNE
1961 – TTC subway cars on display at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Series 648, File 112, Item 9)
1962 - The Great CNE Potato-Peeling Contest
1962 – The Great CNE Potato-Peeling Contest (CNE Archives)
1962 - TV Display exhibit at the CNE Electrical Building
1962 – TV Display exhibit at the CNE Electrical Building (CNE Archives)
1960s - Lady Schick Consolette demo at the Canadian National Exhibition
1960s – Lady Schick Consolette demo at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1960s - Borden's demonstration
1960s – Borden’s demonstration (CNE Archives)
1960s - General Motors Car Show at the Canadian National Exhibition
1960s – General Motors Car Show at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
1962 – The Amphicar in front of the Princess Margaret Fountain with the Better Living Centre in the background, at Exhibition Place. The Amphicar was later on display at the Auto Show
1962 – The Amphicar in front of the Princess Margaret Fountain with the Better Living Centre in the background, at Exhibition Place. The Amphicar was later on display at the Auto Show (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5784)
1962 – Shirley Blatchford and Margaret Hintenseer emerging from Lake Ontario in an Amphicar after successfully crossing from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the CNE grounds. The Amphicar was later on display at the Auto Show
1962 – Shirley Blatchford and Margaret Hintenseer emerging from Lake Ontario in an Amphicar after successfully crossing from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the CNE grounds. The Amphicar was later on display at the Auto Show (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5793)
1980 - Bobby Orr at the A&P demonstration kitchen
1980 – Bobby Orr at the A&P demonstration kitchen (CNE Archives)
1980s - ColecoVision video game exhibit at The Ex
1980s – ColecoVision video game exhibit at The Ex (CNE Archives)
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