It is well known that expositions have generated the consumption-related behaviors of "product display" and "product observation." Such expositions have also promoted the establishment of the high-class status of some renowned brands, such as Baccarat, Christofle, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Tiffany. The tradition of distributing medals of merit for exhibits had already begun at the first London International Exposition of 1851. However, the first Paris International Exposition of 1855 employed more strict judging processes and judging committee member selection criteria, determined the criteria details to ensure fairness, and lent authority to the medals of merit granted at the event. Meanwhile, the practice of affixing price tags began at the first Paris International Exposition. Some of today's renowned brands introduce their products remarking in their PR text: "a Grand Medal of Honor Awarded at the Paris International Exposition of 1855."

References:

Encyclopedia of consumer brands (St. James Press, 1994) <D2-A144>
International directory of company histories (St. James Press, 1988) <D4-B24>
Kashima, Shigeru.: Zekkei pari bankoku hakurankai (Kawade shobo shinsha, 1992) <D7-E90>
Kyushima, Nobuaki.: 'Banpaku' hatsumei hakken 50 no monogatari (Kodansha, 2004) <D7-H45>
Paul, Tessa; Ito Yoko (tr.).: Tifani: Shinsekai ni kagayaita suteitasu no burando (Bijutsu shuppansha, 1990) <KB421-E11>
Tottori, Kinuko.: Furansu no burando bigaku (Bunka shuppankyoku, 2008) <DH453-J12>

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