Empire State Building - how they built the tallest building in NYC in 1929
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Empire State Building construction
Somewhat unexpectedly, I came across a collection of wonderful photos, showing how the Empire State Building was built.
They made such an impression on me that I decided to put them together on this page - along with the story about the Empire State Building construction.
Photo "Empire" - courtesy of h1lle
All the photos below were taken by Lewis Wickes Hine (September 26, 1874 - November 3, 1940), an American sociologist and photographer, who used his photographs for social reform, including the child labor laws in the U.S.
I couldn't find out who the author of the comments next to the photos was.
Have you ever been to the Empire State Building?
Share your story here
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Tipi
May 1, 2012 @ 10:28 pm | delete
- I have never been there.
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LaraineRose
Apr 1, 2012 @ 11:03 pm | delete
- A long time ago our whole family went to the top and viewed the city. I believe that it was the tallest building in the world then.
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rauspitz Mar 20, 2012 @ 8:12 pm | delete
- I've walked and driven past it but I've never been inside.
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Marc_Sandford
Mar 15, 2012 @ 9:06 am | delete
- I never have but love the photos here just the same!
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oxfordian
Mar 4, 2012 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- My father took my brother and I there when I was about 6 years old. It's one of my fondest memories. I've been to NY several times as an adult on business, but was never able to make the time to go over and see it again.
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Tolovaj
Feb 3, 2012 @ 7:41 am | delete
- It is at the very top of my to-do lists if I ever cross Atlantic.
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KimGiancaterino Feb 3, 2012 @ 1:56 am | delete
- Sure have ... it was high on my must-do list the first time I explored NYC.
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Phillyfreeze69
Feb 2, 2012 @ 7:42 pm | delete
- I had the opportunity to visit the majestic Empire State Building while attending school in the Big Apple in the late 1970's.
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scarlettohairy Sep 27, 2011 @ 8:16 pm | delete
- Yes, on my one and only visit to NYC. It was so cool!
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Building of the Empire State
In 1930, photo journalist Lewis W. Hine was asked to document the construction of the Empire State Building. For the next two years he then photographed the workers in dangerous positions - higher and higher above the ground - securing the iron and steel framework of the structure.
Hine took many of the same risks the workers faced. The shots were taken from a specially designed basket - swinging 1,000 feet above the Fifth Avenue.
The Empire State Building took 57,000 tons of steel to make and 7,000,000 man hours to construct. That means it would take the average person in America over 10 lifetimes to build, if you worked from the moment of birth till you died.
Posters of Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was built in only one year and 45 days. This is amazing since it's one of the tallest structures in the entire US!
After being built much of the building remained empty for so long that it gained the nickname the "Empty State Building".
With 65 Hundred windows in the building they have to clean the glass on a never-ending rotation since by the time you are done, you have to start all over.
The Empire State Building has 17 million feet of wire inside of it. That's enough to stretch from N.Y.C. to L.A.
The Empire State Building was planned to be a sort of skyscraper docking for giant blimps of the 1930's. However, the idea was too dangerous and was only attempted once. The wind speeds were too high at such altitudes. The air ships could have crashed into the buildings.
The Empire State Building allows people to get married at the top of it, however - couples must be original in their reasons why!
The Empire State Building hosts a competition to run up its 1,800+ steps every year. The record is a little over 9 minutes set in 2003.
The building has 2.7 million square feet of floor space. And over 70 elevators.
The Empire State Building is so big that it has its own zip code 10118, the only larger business district is the Pentagon.
The Empire State Building was built in the Art Deco Style which is all about beautiful intricate geometric designs.
Most of NY's FM radio stations are broadcast from the top of its massive antennae so they can reach the largest number of people.
It has been voted the most popular structure in the US beating out the Golden Gate bridge and the White House.
It was the first building in the world to reach 100 floors. In total it has 102 floors and is over 1000 feet tall.
Empire State Building toys
World's tallest buildings
Which is Your favorite?
Following is the list of the world's tallest skyscrapers by architectural detail - according to Wikipedia.
Vote for your favorite!
1
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, New York City, USA
1,250 ft (381 m) tall, 102 floors, built in 19316 points
2
SHUN HING SQARE, Shenzhen, China
1,260 ft (384 m) tall, 69 floors, built in 19963 points
3
BURJ KHALIFA, Dubai, UAE
2,717 ft (828 m) tall, 163 floors, built in 2010
Currently the tallest building in the world.2 points
4
ABRAJ AL-BAIT TOWERS, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
1,971 ft (601 m) tall, 95 floors, built in 20112 points
5
TAIPEI 101, Taipei, Taiwan
1,670 ft (509 m) tall, 101 floors, built in 20042 points
6
SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, Shanghai, China
1,614 ft (492 m) tall, 101 floors, built in 20082 points
7
INTERNATONAL COMMERCE CENTRE, Hong Kong, China
1,588 ft (484 m) tall, 108 floors, built in 20102 points
8
PETRONAS TOWER 1 & 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1,483 ft (452 m) tall, 88 floors, built in 19982 points
9
NANJING GREENLAND FINANCIAL CENTER, Nanjing, China
1,476 ft (450 m) tall, 89 floors, built in 20102 points
10
WILLIS TOWER, Chicago, USA
1,451 ft (442 m) tall, 108 floors, built in 19742 points
11
KINGKEY 100, Shenzhen, China
1,449 ft (442 m) tall, 98 floors, built in 20112 points
12
GUANGZHOU WEST TOWER, Guangzhou, China
1,435 ft (438 m) tall, 103 floors, built in 20102 points
13
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND TOWER, Chicago, USA
1,389 ft (423 m) tall, 98 floors, built in 20092 points
14
JIN MAO TOWER, Shanghai, China
1,380 ft (421 m) tall, 88 floors, built in 19992 points
15
TWO INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE, Hong Kong, China
1,358 ft (413 m) tall, 88 floors, built in 20032 points
16
AL HAMRA TOWER, Kuwait City, Kuwait
1,352 ft (412 m) tall, 77 floors, 20102 points
17
23 MARINA, Dubai, UAE
1,296 ft (395 m) tall, 89 floors, built in 20112 points
18
CITIC PLAZA, Guangzhou, China
1,283 ft (391 m) tall, 80 floors, built in 19972 points
Share your NYC experience here
What do you think about the construction of the Empire State Building?
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gypsyman27
May 17, 2012 @ 2:57 pm | delete
- I think the pictures you found are great. I am used to seeing this building every day during my childhood. I left NY when I went to college. I worked on the 86th floor of the World Trade Center in the early eighties. I almost hate to look at the skyline without there. Great lens, well done. See you around the galaxy...
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MaryStuart
May 17, 2012 @ 11:24 am | delete
- I love tall buildings, and your collection of photos of the Empire State Building is magnificent! Those pictures of the workmen so high above the city are really a sight to behold.
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Tipi
May 1, 2012 @ 10:32 pm | delete
- That's so sweet that Laraine and you were on the same track with these pictures! You did the Empire State Building proud here with your presentation and I love the shadow effects!...*
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ottoblotto Apr 4, 2012 @ 9:27 pm | delete
- Nice work!
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LaraineRose
Apr 1, 2012 @ 11:05 pm | delete
- This is so funny. I had collected most of the same pictures and was going to do a lens on this. Hmmm You beat me to it. I really did enjoy what you did with this lens. Angel Blessed.
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- Great lens with some of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century. Putting that building up in a little more than a year is just amazing.
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Zut_Moon
Mar 17, 2012 @ 5:44 pm | delete
- Gives me the creeps just seeing these workmen at those heights !!!
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flicker
Mar 14, 2012 @ 4:05 pm | delete
- Wonderful article! I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the photo of the line of workers sitting on that beam having lunch. Wow.
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Janiece Mar 10, 2012 @ 8:55 am | delete
- Wow! It's amazing the risks that they took to build the Empire State Building!! Blessed by a Squid Angel!
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oxfordian
Mar 4, 2012 @ 1:02 pm | delete
- These are amazing photos! I'm not especially afraid of heights, but I got butterflies just looking at these pictures!! Wonderful job. Thank you for sharing them with us!
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Mujjen
Feb 29, 2012 @ 3:47 am | delete
- Very interesting photos of Empire State Building. Funny comments about the safety regulations, times sure have changed.
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Tolovaj
Feb 3, 2012 @ 7:43 am | delete
- It is one of the most known buildings in the world. It has similar importance to NY as Neboticnik for Ljubljana.
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- The photos make me so dizzy. Those were some brave construction workers.
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Phillyfreeze69
Feb 2, 2012 @ 7:58 pm | delete
- Mr. Hines did a wonderful job of capturng the workers as they constructed this iconic NYC building in 1 year and 45 days...amazing feat!
The same "can do" attitude is need in 2012 if we are to remain competitive in a global community.
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Jan 28, 2012 @ 9:16 am | delete
- I get vertigo just seeing guys so oblivious to the heights. Awesome lens. Let me go, I need to fasten my office chair safety belt!
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SRitchieable
Jan 1, 2012 @ 12:34 am | delete
- A M A Z I N G!
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adamfrench
Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:06 am | delete
- Some selection of photos, I got dizzy looking at them
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Nika
Sep 28, 2011 @ 7:27 am | delete
- res te je kar groza ko vidiš kje so delavci pa brez zaščite lp Nika
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Arten
Sep 27, 2011 @ 9:18 pm | delete
- NY is super crowded. The amount of people walking around is just jaw dropping. However the sights and sounds are very cool. A must see place. The empire state building is one of those places.
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- That really is amazing. I loved seeing all of those photos. Love the iconic "men who lunch" photo.
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Daria Perse on Squidoo
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