The old MSG, and the modern auto show
Ah, the auto show. An American institution. Did you know the first modern automotive show was held on this day in 1900, at Madison Square Garden? (Not the asbestos one, the second one.) Do you think they had car show models back then?
According to Wired, the week-long event had 66 exhibitors and cost 50 cents (a whopping $13 in today's money); 10,000 people attended throughout the "horseless horse show" throughout the week. Back then the bells and whistles weren't what they are today, however—the big features were braking and acceleration improvements, and a model hill was brought in to demonstrate hill-climbing abilities. And here's a little fact: none of the automobiles at the show in 1900 are in existence today!
