The Liberty Bell replica at Philadelphia’s 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition was covered with 26,000 light bulbs.
The illuminated structure was an 80-foot replica built at the entrance to the exposition. Its scale and lighting made it an instantly recognizable landmark for visitors arriving at the fair. The display connected a modern world’s fair with Philadelphia’s historic association with the Declaration of Independence.
The exposition celebrated the 150th anniversary of American independence, making the Liberty Bell an especially natural emblem. The original bell was already one of the best-known symbols of the American Revolution, even though it was not itself the object that legally declared independence.
The number of bulbs is a useful detail because it can be mixed up with the replica’s height. The structure was 80 feet tall, while its illumination used 26,000 bulbs. The fair also included a stadium, international displays, amusement areas, and commemorative coins issued for the anniversary.