Two of many different advertisements that promoted Chicago's first official auto show, held March 23-30, 1901. Under the auspices of Motor Age magazine the eight-day event took place inside the Coliseum exposition hall, situated between Wabash and Michigan Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets. Prices for exhibit space on the main floor, which measured 300 feet long by 170 feet wide, ranged from $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Opening night was "invite only" for the "top 20,000 families" in Chicago. General admission for the public was 50 cents per ticket, and spectators could walk among the auto displays on the first floor. Parts suppliers/manufacturers and ample seating to watch the show filled the second level gallery.

A rare view inside the Coliseum exposition hall, once located at 1513 South Wabash Ave. The Chicago Auto Show was held in the Coliseum from 1901 through 1935. Superimposed on the right is a young Samuel Miles, considered the "Father of the modern auto show." Miles served as the show manager from 1901-1932.

A modest advertisement posted in the 1901 Chicago Tribune newspaper entertainment section promoted the first official Chicago Auto Show. Held March 23-30, the event filled the Coliseum exposition hall, which was located between Wabash and Michigan Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets. There were 65 firms that displayed vehicles and accessories. The opening night attendance was estimated between 2,000 and 6,000.

A bird’s eye view inside the Coliseum during the first official Chicago Auto Show captured the various vehicle exhibits and the indoor wooden track. The track was 20 feet wide and looped around the exhibits. About 10 laps equaled one mile. The track was used for driving demonstrations of the ‘horseless carriage’ vehicles. This attraction helped to dispel public apprehensions and illustrated that motor vehicles were safe and easy to handle. Occasional repairing of the track’s wood railing was needed where drivers had lost control and machines broke through

A small illustration from a 1901 issue of Motor Age magazine, promoted Chicago's first official auto show. Articles in the publication gave positive reviews of the event.

Grainy photographic portrait of the National Automobile Company exhibit during the first Chicago Auto Show. Manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana, the electric-powered National line of vehicles occupied one of the largest spaces on the main floor. The display included runabouts, four-passenger models and wagons. Some of the vehicles ran on pneumatic tires and wire wheels, while others had wood wheels with solid tires. One runabout was built especially for the exhibition, with upholstery and top lined in imported ‘golf red’ material. Like most vehicles produced in 1901, the National used a tiller for steering.

On display during the first Chicago Auto Show was the 1901 Motorette, manufactured by the George N. Pierce Co. of Buffalo, New York. The De Dion Bouton single-cylinder, water-cooled engine produced less than three horsepower and was positioned just forward of the rear axle. Weighing in at 600 pounds, the vehicle was controlled by tiller steering.