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This is the story of the origin of the first chocolate brownie.

 

The World’s Columbia Exhibition, better known as the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, attracted well over 20 million visitors to Chicago’s south side Jackson Park.

 

Exhibits and displays came from 46 nations. The World's Columbian Exposition was the first world's fair with an area for amusements that was separated from the exhibition halls. 

 

It included carnival rides, among them the original Ferris Wheel, built by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. This wheel was 26 stories high with 36 cars, each of which could accommodate 40 people. Thus capable of carrying over 1440 people at one time

 

One group of attendees was led by the 40 year old wife of Potter Palmer, the owner of Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel, Bertha Palmer.

 

Born as Bertha Matilde Honoré in Louisville, Kentucky, her father was businessman Henry Hamilton Honoré who moved from Louisville to Chicago, Illinois and made his fortune in real estate. 

 

Bertha achieved a reputation as a musician, linguist, writer, politician, and administrator. Her sister, Ida Marie Honoré, was married to Frederick Dent Grant, eldest son of general and president Ulysses S. Grant.

 

Although only 21 when she married the 44 year old Potter Palmer, she quickly rose to become the Queen of Chicago society. "She was beautiful, dashing, quick, and smart; and more than that, she was sure of herself," later wrote historian Ernest Poole, the winner of the  first Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, awarded in 1918.

 

Bertha was an early member of the Chicago Woman's Club, part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs composed of working women who met to discuss social problems and develop solutions. 

 

Women had a large presence in the fair Bertha Palmer was elected to the plum position as President of the Board of Lady Managers.

 

On a summer day, Bertha planned a special day at the Fair for her society friends. She had asked the Palmer House chef to provide gourmet sandwiches and, then, politely ask the chef if he could come up with a special dessert.

 

She added that the special dessert couldn't stain her friends white gloves.

 

The Palmer House chef did not disappoint Bertha.

 

That special dessert is still advertised at the Palmer House Hotel restaurant as the first chocolate brownie.