Empire State Building: The Ultimate Skyscraper

The Empire State Building was the world's tallest tower in 1931, standing at an impressive 1,250 feet, but its title was short-lived due to competition from other skyscrapers.

The Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street were in a heated competition to take the crown, with their owners determined to make their buildings the tallest in the world.

The Chrysler Building's owner raised its height to 927 feet, while its architect installed a 125-foot spire, allowing it to briefly surpass the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building's owner announced plans to build a 1,050-foot building with a 200-foot metal "crown" that would bring the roof height to 1,250 feet.

The Empire State Building's design was led by William F. Lamb, a renowned architect, with Homer G. Balcom as the structural engineer and Starrett Brothers and Eken as the general contractor.

The building's steel structure was designed to be incredibly strong, with 57,000 tons of steel used in its construction, more than any other building at the time.

The Empire State Building's construction was completed in just 410 days, with 22 stories of steel being placed in just 22 working days.

The building's workforce peaked at 3,500, including many Irish and Italian immigrants, as well as Mohawk ironworkers.

The Empire State Building's success can be attributed to its designer's rigorous monitoring system, which provided near real-time indicators of progress or delays.

The Empire State Building is an iconic symbol of New York City and a testament to the ingenuity and determination of its designers and builders, inspiring and awe people to this day.