Skyscrapers have become pretty commonplace in modern times, and National Skyscraper Day is our golden opportunity to appreciate these architectural marvels and feats of engineering. Skyscrapers grace our big cities with their bold presence and define our skylines with mighty buildings that literally seem to scrape the sky. But skyscrapers have only been around for about 130 years.
The world’s first skyscraper was completed in 1885 in Chicago and it stood only 138 feet tall, a mere 10 stories that would not even count as a skyscraper today. But the name stuck, and initially any building that towered high over the surrounding structures was dubbed a skyscraper. Over time, our ability to engineer and construct skyscrapers improved drastically, and now a building must have at least 40 floors to be classified as a skyscraper at all.
In crowded urban areas where land space is at a premium, skyscrapers allow us to build upwards rather than outwards, converting a single allotment of land area into 40 or more floors of potential living space. For National Skyscraper Day on September 3, we invite you to join us in taking a long look up.
Source: Text & Image: https://nationaltoday.com/national-skyscraper-day
Skyscrapers are a real decoration of big cities, but they have existed for only 130 years. In crowded areas, where there is little land space, such buildings are also quite effective. The date was not chosen by chance.
September 3rd was chosen as the date for this commemorative day because it was the birthday of architect Louis H. Sullivan, who has been called the « father of skyscrapers » and was widely considered to have designed the first ones.
The world’s first skyscraper is generally considered to be the Home Insurance Building in Chicago. It was built in 1885 and was 10 stories tall — an impressive height back then – and stood out as well for having a frame of metal, rather than being built primarily from stone. An addition in 1890 later gave another two stories to the Home Insurance Building.
Source: Text: https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/various/skyscraper-day