New York - Rise of the Skyscrapers

The New York skyline has traditionally been one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world. Tall buildings here are the rule rather than the exception, and the sheer number of larger than life structures, whether at night or during the day, catches and holds the eye.

There are and were many practical reasons for the development of the skyscraper, not the least of which now is limited land. Building up allows for far more floor space in a smaller area (for reference, the Empire State Building has just shy of 2.8 million square feet of floor space). For years, though, buildings have needed larger bases to support their own weight, limiting the amount of upward progress possible. Architect/Engineer George Fuller finally solved the problem of load-bearing capacities with the help of Bessemer Steel. The newly forged steel, stronger than previous materials, allowed buildings to rise upwards, supporting themselves entirely. The result was a furious competition to build the largest building. The competition is still alive and well today, almost 100 years later. In New York City, the Flatiron Building was one of the first, completed in 1902. Others soon followed, culminating in the historic race between the builders of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. Unfortunately, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, which stood dwarfing all other building on the NY Skyline, were destroyed in 2001.

Competition continues today for the title of the world's tallest building, and will be sure to continue for the foreseeable future. To get an idea of the largest skyscrapers today, see here. Be sure to check out the links for some great pictures.