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The traditional definition of a skyscraper began with the "first skyscraper", a steel-framed ten storey building.
The traditional definition of a skyscraper began with the "first skyscraper", a steel-framed ten storey building. Chicago's now demolished ten storey steel-framed Home Insurance Building (1885) is generally accepted as the "first skyscraper" -
While Home Insurance Building's height is not considered unusual or very impressive today, the architect, Major William Le Baron Jenney, created the first load-bearing structural frame.
While Home Insurance Building's height is not considered unusual or very impressive today, the architect, Major William Le Baron Jenney, created the first load-bearing structural frame. In this building, a steel frame supported the entire weight of the walls, instead of load-bearing walls carrying the weight of the building, which was the usual method. -
The word "skyscraper" originally was a nautical term referring to a tall mast or its main sail on a sailing ship.
The word "skyscraper" originally was a nautical term referring to a tall mast or its main sail on a sailing ship. The term was first applied to buildings in the late 19th century as a result of public amazement at the tall buildings being built in Chicago and New York City. -
Sullivan's Wainwright Building in St. Louis, 1891
Sullivan's Wainwright Building in St. Louis, 1891, was the first steel frame building with soaring vertical bands to emphasize the height of the building, and is, therefore, considered by some to be the first true skyscraper. -
architects' competion on skyscrapers
In 1890's architects started to compete in the subject of skyscrapers.They started to build higher buildings -
After an early competition between New York City and Chicago for the world's tallest building,
After an early competition between New York City and Chicago for the world's tallest building, New York took a firm lead by 1895 with the completion of the American Surety Building. -
Developers in Chicago also found themselves hampered by laws limiting height to about 40 stories
Developers in Chicago also found themselves hampered by laws limiting height to about 40 stories, leaving New York to hold the title of tallest building for many years. -
The Woolworth Building, a neo-Gothic "Cathedral of Commerce" overlooking City Hall, was designed by Cass Gilbert.
The Woolworth Building, a neo-Gothic "Cathedral of Commerce" overlooking City Hall, was designed by Cass Gilbert. At 792 feet (241 m), it became the world's tallest building upon its completion in 1913, an honor it retained until 1930, when it was overtaken by 40 Wall Street. -
New York City developers then competed among themselves, with successively taller buildings claiming the title of "world's tallest" in the 1920s and early 1930s
New York City developers then competed among themselves, with successively taller buildings claiming the title of "world's tallest" in the 1920s and early 1930s, culminating with the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930 -
Empire State Building
After Chyresler Building,Empire State Building was constructed,and it has stayed as the tallest building in the world for forty years. -
In the 20h century,with the developing construction materials, higher buildings came round.
In the 20h century,with the developing construction materials, higher buildings came round.The Flatiron Building, standing 285 ft (87 m) high, was one of the tallest buildings in the city upon its completion in 1932, made possible by its steel skeleton. It was one of the first buildings designed with a steel framework, and to achieve this height with other construction methods of that time would have been very difficult. -
Immediately after World War II, the Soviet Union planned eight massive skyscrapers dubbed "Stalin Towers" for Moscow
Immediately after World War II, the Soviet Union planned eight massive skyscrapers dubbed "Stalin Towers" for Moscow; seven of these were eventually built. -
When the World Trade Center towers were completed in 1973
When the World Trade Center towers were completed in 1973 many felt them to be sterile monstrosities even though they were the world's tallest buildings at that time. But most New Yorkers became fond of "The Twin Towers", and with the loss of lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks there came great sadness for the loss of the buildings. The Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City. -
The Sears Tower was completed in 1974
The Sears Tower was completed in 1974, one year after the World Trade Center, and surpassed it as the world's tallest building. It was the first building to emply the "bundled tube" structural system, designed by Fazlur Khan.[ -
The Sears Tower was not surpassed in height until the Petronas Towers was constructed in 1998
The Sears Tower was not surpassed in height until the Petronas Towers was constructed in 1998. -
The record for world's tallest building remained in Asia
The record for world's tallest building remained in Asia with the opening of Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2004.
