Skyscrapers have a long history in the United States and around the world. While many people believed that building of skyscrapers would slow following the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, building of skyscrapers has actually accelerated worldwide. According to the
Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), more skyscrapers were completed between 2002 and 2012 than any decade in history. (1)
The beginning of our fascination with skyscrapers can be traced back to the building of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. A competition was held to design a monument to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution in time for the 1889 World's Fair. The competition was won by Eiffel et Compagnie, a consulting and construction firm owned by the acclaimed bridge builder, architect and metals expert Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel.(2)
A few facts about the Eiffel Tower are: (2)
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While several buildings considered to be skyscrapers were built in the United States prior to 1900, construction accelerated after the turn of the century. Skyscrapers in the early 1900's include:
The timeline below details some of the key buildings in the history of skyscrapers. (3)
- The Flat Iron Building built in New York in 1903
- The Chrysler Building built in New York in 1930
- The Empire State Building built in New York in 1931
The timeline below details some of the key buildings in the history of skyscrapers. (3)
Seven key developments have allowed the building of today's skyscrapers. These are: (4)
- The steel building skeleton made of interlocking columns and beams (first used on the Flat Iron Building in New York).
- The safety elevator which allows safe, easy access to upper building floors.
- The air conditioner which allowed for climate control inside of large buildings.
- The kangaroo crane which rises with the building allowing placement of pre-fabricated building sections.
- The steel exoskeleton developed to resist wind forces (first used on the Sears Tower in Chicago).
- The development of flexible building components that allow tall buildings to survive earthquakes.
- The design of safety systems such as refuge rooms and smoke evacuation systems that can be used to protect occupants and aid first responders in case of emergency situations.
1. Ali, M.M.; Al-Kodmany, K. Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat of the 21st Century: A Global Perspective. Buildings 2012, 2, 384-423.
2. Staff, History.com. "Eiffel Tower." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower>.
3. Cooperstein, Paige. "A History Of The World's Tallest Skyscrapers." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://www.businessinsider.com/a-history-of-the-worlds-tallest-skyscrapers-2013-11>.
4. "Bigger Better Best - Skyscrapers." National Geographic Channel. National Geographic Society, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/big-bigger-biggest/videos/skyscraper-history/>.
2. Staff, History.com. "Eiffel Tower." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower>.
3. Cooperstein, Paige. "A History Of The World's Tallest Skyscrapers." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://www.businessinsider.com/a-history-of-the-worlds-tallest-skyscrapers-2013-11>.
4. "Bigger Better Best - Skyscrapers." National Geographic Channel. National Geographic Society, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 Feb. 2015. <http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/big-bigger-biggest/videos/skyscraper-history/>.