Historically, technologies enable human adaptation to their environment. As a result, with each new technology, new conflicts and problems arise within societies due to progress. An important theme in the readings is how new technology builds on older technologies, creating new conflicts and social problems. These advancements further cause a change in needs or desires for improved technology for both entertainment and home use. Of course, electricity is an influential aspect of the telephone and telegraph and, as a result, is a catalyst for the creation of new worldviews. Importantly, thanks to electricity, communications can be achieved faster than ever before. It follows that rapid access to information creates the need for new types of technology (Crowley Heyer 134). Rosalynd Williams, cultural historian and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explains in her book Dream Worlds of Consumption the connection between the rapid change of industrial products and the rise of consumer culture. As a result, in 1851, the first World's Fair opened at the Crystal Palace in London, England. The purpose of the universal exposition is to give a "lesson of things". According to Williams, the “lesson” is the social benefit resulting from innovative technology and the “things” are scientific knowledge and the technology itself (137). Overall, the aim of the exhibition is to highlight scientific ideas and innovative technologies that can be useful in everyday life. Although the first exposition is a showcase of innovative ideas and technologies, subsequent expositions have become decidedly commercial. Furthermore, Williams describes the start of commercialization at the Paris Exposition as “…in the middle of the document……s.com. 2011. Network. 08 April 2011. http://www.britishmovieclassics.com/thekinetoscope.phpMary Pickford. Digital image. PBS.org. July 23, 2004. Web. April 10, 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pickford/peopleevents/p_pickford.htmlElectricity Building. Digital image. Esposizioni.bnf.fr. 19 November 2009. Web. 04 April 2011. http://expositions.bnf.fr/universelles/grand/072.htmParis Exposition 1855. Digital image. Esposizioni.bnf.fr. 19 November 2009. Web. 04 April 2011. http://expositions.bnf.fr/universelles/bande/index5.htm Sweat shop. Digital image. Nytimes.com/. 2011. Network. 03 April 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/27/nyregion/20080227_RIIS_SLIDESHOW_8.htmlWilliams, Rosalynd. "Dream worlds of consumption". Trans. Paul Heyer. Communication in history: technology, culture, society. Ed. DJ Crowley. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon/Pearson, 2011. 137-43. Press.