Empire State Building, just say the name, and it evokes a picture of one of the tallest buildings in the world. From standing on the sidewalk and peering up to the sky, the massive structure overwhelms. In fact from that vantage point a person is unable to see the sphere on top. It is an icon of the Big Apple, the core of New York.
With the birth of this icon, a pathway to its rich history was born. The building itself has co-starred in 250 TV shows and movies. The first movie to bring it to the big screen was King Kong, debuting in 1933.
The Site is Picked
The Empire State Building sets on the site of the former Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Famous in it’s own right, the hotel was built in 1893 by William Waldorf Astor, and set the standard for American Hospitality. Meanwhile as the hotel grew it’s owners wanted a bigger site, and in 1928 the building was sold.
At a cost of 5 million dollars to build; it would almost double to demolish it.
In 1929 The Empire State Inc. corporation was formed. The men who made up this enterprise consisted of former General Motors executives, John Jacob Raskob, Coleman duPont, Pierre S. duPont, Louis G. Kaufman, and Ellis P. Earle, they chose Alfred E. Smith [Former N Y Governor] to head the project.
The Rise Begins
On March 17th 1930, the plans were set and construction would begin. The rise to the top had started. It’s ascent with the first completed steel framework was installed on April 1st 1930.
The design for this huge project would change 15 times until it was assured it would be the tallest building America had at the time.
I would like to say that they had the finest machines to dig the foundation, but in truth, it took 300 men working 24 hour shifts to dig the 55ft foundation deep and place 210 pillars. I guess you could say they really did put their blood, sweat and tears into this building.
Furthermore, the number of different professionals, and craftsmen needed to construct this building were enormous. In order for this skyscraper to rise up, they employed; carpenters, bricklayers, derrickmen, elevator installers, electricians,plumbers, trade inspectores, checkers, foremen, and clerks. Irish, Italians, Scandinavians, and Americans, all brought their talent to do the jobs. For a building that would America famous, it sure did have a melting pot of workers.
At the height of its construction, more than 3500 workers were used, 3439 in a single day. At one period of 10 working days, 14 floors were constructed. The pace that they had to work must have been punishing. To consider that only 5 people perished while erecting this building is amazing.
The Amazing Men on the Flying Steel Beams
The workmen while doing balancing acts on the thin steel beams, hanging on chains off derrick lines, amazingly 100’s or1000’s of feet in the air, made an astounding show for the public below. They were called The Daredevil Sky Boys. The New York Times once wrote they “Put on the best open-air show in town.They rode into the air on top of a steel beam that maneuvered into place as a crosspiece by hanging to the cable rope, and steering the beam with their feet, then strolling on the thin edge of nothingness,”
As you see in the photo above the steel beams were attached together using rivets. When applying the rivets to the beams, they must be red hot so that as they cool they will expand in the holes and become welded together for a strong hold.
“It really isn’t as dangerous as it looks.” one worker stated. “It’s safer up here, than it is down below.” he was pointing to the helter-skelter on the streets below. The most perilous times when working on these skyscrapers came when the weather was rainy or cold. Hands and legs were stiff and numb, making grabbing and holding on to things hard. The steel beams were slick and walking on them very dangerous.
The workers in total logged in from start to finish 7 million working hours. Furthermore after digging the foundation, the men only ever worked 5 days a week and never any overtime. They would clock out religiously at 4:30 everyday. The men on this job were true craftsmen, proud of the work they put into this building. Can you imagine after finishing the Empire State Building, looking up, feeling the pride of a job well done. I’m sure their chests puffed a little larger!
When finished the Empire State Building stood 1454 ft {including antenna} in the air. It was the tallest building in America at the time, with The Chrysler Building coming in second.
Lewis Wickes Hine: Daredevil Photographer
Without the courageous and bold work of Photographer Lewis Wickes Hine, the erection of this building would only be in memories, and passed down stories.
He was a self taught photographer that started in advertising. He progressed into taking pictures of the immigrants as they came to Ellis Island, and captured the horror of children and women working in the sweatshops. He worked all over the country, then returned to New York and was pegged for the job of a lifetime. Hines always got the shot he wanted.
To tell this incredible story in pictures, he would risk his own life just as the workers did. He would hook himself to safety lines, and feel his way to the ends of beams and girders to get the best shot. Moreover, to reach a desired vantage point, he propelled himself out off the girders in a special designed basket. Many times when trying for a shot he was swinging over 1000 ft in the air.
When the project was over he had taken almost 1 million photos in a 6 month period. Hine would go on to say that the workers were “Men of courage,skill, daring, and imagination.” Thank you Mr. Hine for the amazing photos that we have today, showcasing a time in history, when muscle was better than machine.
To enjoy more photos of this giant building coming alive go to https://twistedsifter.com/2012/06/vintage-photos-of-the-empire-state-building-under-construction/ and look at more of the amzing photos Hine took.
Random Facts
- They named the building after the nickname for the State of New York
- Cafes and concession stands were placed on 5 of the unfinished floors so workers could eat and not have to waste time going to the ground floor all the time.
- Final rivet put in by Al Smith, a former Democratic candidate for President, and it was made of pure gold.
- Cornerstone of building holds: the previous days New York Times, a U.S. currency set with all denominations minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in the construction.
- 66 cars were ordered from the Otis Elevator Co. They were asked to make them be able to travel at a speed of 1200 ft a minute.
- In all, 36 people have attempted suicide from the building. The first, [ even before it was completed ] was a carpenter who had been laid off, he jumped from the 58th floor.
- They also had “waterboys” who would bring water buckets to the men when they needed a drink. Joe Carbonell, 16 yrs old remembered, “It was kind of a thrill working on the beams. I learned don’t look down, just look to the end of the beam.” He was a brave young man.
- After being built, to help get tenants, Silent Film Star Mary Pickford dropped hundreds of balloons off the 86 floor observation deck to advertise, and then the tickets attached to the balloons could be exchanged for tickets to the circus.
- The world’s’ tallest man visited the world’s tallest building. That would have been Robert Wadlow.
- There is 200,000 cubic ft of Indiana limestone and granite in the building. 10 million cement blocks,and 730 tons of aluminum and steel. The steel for the project was awarded to Pittsburgh Steel Co.
- On a calm day it sways about 6 inches in both directions.
- Did not generate profit until 1950
- After workers finished the job, the depression had hit and they went from employed to the bread line.
- Experts say it could survive for 700 years.
- In 2031, the building will be 100 yrs old.
This is still an awe inspiring building. Many, even myself have visited and marveled at its size. I hope you have enjoyed this story and may find, if you haven’t been to New York, this article may urge you to go.
There is another amazing story that happened during WWII about a plane that crashed into the Empire State Building. Go to my Extras section and read about this awful time in history.
Till next time, remember, history is as important as the future!