 Gas lighting was introduced to the city in 1847 and trams in 1869.Mahen Theatre in Brno was the first theatre building in Europe to use Edison's electric lamps, Thomas Edison then visited Brno in 1911 to see the theatre.During the "First Republic" (1918–1938), Brno continued to grow in importance – Masaryk University was established (1919), the state armoury and automotive factory "Československá státní zbrojovka Brno" was established (1919), and the Brno Fairgrounds were opened in 1928 with an exhibition of contemporary culture.