There were over 14,000 exhibits, which included:

 Alfred Charles Hobbs, an American locksmith, used the exhibition to demonstrate the inadequacy of several respected locks of the day.

Frederick Bakewell demonstrated a precursor to today's Fax machine.

The Tempest Prognosticator, a barometer using leeches, was demonstrated at the Great Exhibition by George Merryweather.

George Jennings designed the first public conveniences in the Retiring Rooms of the Crystal Palace for which he charged one penny. It is from this that we get the phrase, ‘to spend a penny.’

There were displays of furniture and interior decoration from all over the world, including China, India and Turkey.

McCormick's Reaper, an early form of mechanical harvester, which could cut an astounding twenty acres in a day.