![]() ![]() Several New York City buildings held the record for world’s tallest skyscraper thereafter, including the Singer Building in 1908, the Metropolitan Life Tower in 1909, the Woolworth Building in 1913, briefly the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building (for a few months), the Chrysler Building in 1930, the Empire State Building in 1931, and One World Trade Center starting in 1971. It wasn’t long before cities like New York and Chicago began competing for the record for world’s tallest building, with New York’s American Surety Building being the first proper skyscraper in New York starting in 1895. The first steel skyscraper was the Home Insurance Building in Chicago, built in 1885. Similarly, gas lighting was difficult at higher floors but the advent of electricity solved that while lowering the risk of fire from candles and lanterns. Plumbing innovations were needed to deliver water to higher floors. Taller buildings also required elevators for practical use. As taller buildings became possible, foundations had to change, with construction digging down to the bedrock for a solid base, though water-tight caissons later substituted. Metal framing enabled buildings that supported structural weight with thinner walls. The pre-cursors to modern skyscrapers became possible due to steel, water, electricity, and elevators. Masonry buildings, like the Philadelphia City Hall, which still holds the record for tallest load-bearing building, required extremely thick walls at the base – up to 22 feet in some cases! – to support the weight of its height. Skyscrapers as we know them began in the 19th century as technology converged to enable larger buildings. The oldest iron-framed building is the Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury, England, which was completed in 1797. Structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza in ancient Egypt, the Lincoln Cathedral, and even an apartment building in ancient Rome that were 10 stories tall are a few examples. ![]() Throughout history, people have been building as tall as their technology and engineering capabilities allowed. While New York City no longer holds the record for the world’s tallest building, the history of the skyscraper is strongly linked to the city. COVID-19 Safety Statement and Updated PoliciesĪ Skyline Princess cruise along New York Harbor features many world-famous landmarks, including many historic skyscrapers. ![]()
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