Home » Trending Now » These Men Risked Their Lives to Build 1920s New York Skyscrapers

These Men Risked Their Lives to Build 1920s New York Skyscrapers

4

InfoSearched 54 0 Trending Now

8.6

SaveSavedRemoved 5

In the 1920s, New York City was in the midst of a construction boom, with architects and engineers pushing the limits in building taller and taller skyscrapers.

It was an era of innovation and ambition, where buildings seemed to touch the sky and the city’s skyline was forever changed. But what many may not know is the incredible risk and sacrifice taken by the hardworking men who built these structures, often risking their lives for the sake of progress.

The first of these iconic New York skyscrapers was the Woolworth Building, standing at a staggering 792 feet tall. It was completed in 1913, and at the time, it was the tallest building in the world. But the construction of this engineering marvel was not without its dangers. The workers had to climb up and down the steel beams, sometimes hundreds of feet in the air, with no safety harnesses or proper protective equipment. It’s estimated that at least a dozen men lost their lives during the construction of the Woolworth Building.

But in the years that followed, even taller buildings were erected, and the risks for construction workers only grew. The Chrysler Building, completed in 1930, stood at 1,046 feet tall and was a symbol of the modern age. It was constructed at an incredible pace of four floors per week, with men working day and night shifts. The workers were required to navigate a maze of steel beams, often dangling above nothing but open sky, with only a small wooden plank to stand on. One wrong move could mean certain death.

The iconic Empire State Building, standing at 1,250 feet tall, was completed in just 20 months, an unprecedented feat at the time. It’s estimated that five workers lost their lives during its construction, including one man who fell to his death while attempting to secure a safety line for his fellow workers. Other workers would often refer to the Empire State Building as the “Empty State Building” due to the lack of proper safety measures in place.

Despite the dangers and risks involved, these men were determined to build these magnificent structures, and they did so with pride and dedication. They were often immigrants or sons of immigrants, who saw these buildings as a way to provide for their families and contribute to the growth of their city. They faced harsh weather conditions, grueling work schedules, and unsafe conditions, all for the sake of progress.

But in the midst of all the danger, there were remarkable stories of bravery and heroism. One such story is that of George Watson, an African American worker who was part of the team building the Chrysler Building. In 1929, he saved the lives of four of his fellow workers, who were dangling from a broken scaffold 660 feet above the ground. With no safety harnesses or equipment, Watson fearlessly crawled out on a small beam to secure the men and bring them back to safety. His bravery and quick thinking saved their lives and earned him the nickname “the Human Spider.”

Today, these iconic buildings still stand tall and continue to awe and inspire people from all over the world. But they also serve as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the men who risked their lives to build them. We must not forget the invaluable contributions of these workers, and continue to honor their legacy as we marvel at the grandeur of 1920s New York City skyline.