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The
Story of the Empire State Building
The
most famous skyscraper in the world came into existence at the very end
of the roaring twenties. Just a few weeks before the stock market crashed
on 1929, contracts were signed assuring that the
brainchild of General Motors millionaire executive John Raskob would be
born. Conceived of as a speculative commerical venture, the legendary
industrialist, Pierre S. du Pont, joined Raskob to head a group of group
of investors willing to risk their capital on building that would be for
several decades the tallest in the world. Former NY State Governor Alfred
E. Smith was chosen to head the corporation.
The design for the building was a collaborative
effort betwen the architectural firm of Shreve, Lam and Harmon, structural
and mechanical engineers, and the general contractors Starret Brothers
and Eken. William Lamb is especially credited for his contribution
to the design project. On the site designated for the skyscraper stood
the old Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which was razed in October 1929.
Profit-making plain and simple was the guiding
philosophy, under the which the building was to be built and to be utilized.
The construction project lead the way. The first steel columns
of the structure were fixed on April 7, 1930.
Thereafter the construction project proceeded as a model of efficiency.
Some 3,500 workers were employed
in the period of peak construction activity. Within a period of about
10 days, fourteen stories were added to the structural frame. The entire
construction project was completed a month and a half ahead of schedule,
and at $3 million dollars under budget.
The the Depression and throuighout World War II,
the Empire State Building remained seriously underrented, and it was common
to hear it referred to as the "Empty State."
On July 28, 1945, A B-25 bomber crashed
into the seventy-ninth story of the Empire State building. Fourteen
people were killed, but only minor damage occurred to the structure of
the building.
In 1953, a 200-foot television antenna was
placed atop the Empire State Building, raising the building's height to
1, 250 feet. It is also famous for an observation deck, which resting
atop 102 stories affords unparalleled views over the City. A mooring mast
made of metal and glass for dirigibles was also added atop the building
for the movie King Kong. Used but once for the spectacular film, it nevertheless
added the equivalent of another 16 stories of height to the building's
structure.
Floodlighting
of the Empire State Building began in 1964. The upper part of the
building can thus be seem from all over New York City, bathed in various
colors of patriotic or seasonal lights.
The Empire State Building was the highest building
in New York City from its completion in 1931 until 1973 when the World
Trade Towers were built. After September 11, 2001, when the
towers were destroyed by acts of terrorism it regained that status.
The Empire State Building was designated
as a New York Landmark on May 19, 1981.
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