Evolution of Skyscrapers
EVOLUTION OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
1.Historical Development In High-Rise Buildings
Ancient Skyscrapers - The Great Ziggurat of Babylon
Perhaps the most impressive structure in the ancient Middle East, the Great Ziggurat of Babylon was built over a span of several decades in the Sixth Century BC. Its seven stories, built upon a square foundation, stretched 300 feet into the sky. Some think it was the inspiration for the infamous Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis. In this illustration, King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled Babylon from 604 to 561 BC, is seen overlooking his capital
The towers of Bologna
The towers of and were built in Europe, or together until Bologna are slender, as much as 60 meters (150 feet) tall, by the rich for defense and as status symbols. No other site perhaps the world, had so many tall structures crowded the coming of skyscrapers in the late 19th century.
Fig. 1 The great Ziggurat of Babylon
As many as 180 towers, of many different heights, are thought to have been built in Bologna during the 1100's and slightly later; now there are barely 20. The two most prominent (seen here) are the symbols of the city and have long been known together as the "Two Towers."
Fig. 2 The towers of Bologna
The First Safety Elevators
In this period illustration, shoppers ride the elevator in the new Lord & Taylor's department store on Broadway in New York City sometime during the 1870's. Around the same time, the first-ever elevator in an office building was also installed in New York. It was designed by Elisha Otis, whose company became synonymous with the new contraption. Elevators revolutionized office buildings, literally turning them upside down. Prior to their invention, the lower floors of a structure were the most valuable rental property because of the difficulty and inconvenience of climbing the stairs. But the elevator made it possible for elite tenants to enjoy the view from the upper floors - and allow buildings to rise higher and higher.
Fig.
1.Historical Development In High-Rise Buildings
Ancient Skyscrapers - The Great Ziggurat of Babylon
Perhaps the most impressive structure in the ancient Middle East, the Great Ziggurat of Babylon was built over a span of several decades in the Sixth Century BC. Its seven stories, built upon a square foundation, stretched 300 feet into the sky. Some think it was the inspiration for the infamous Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis. In this illustration, King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled Babylon from 604 to 561 BC, is seen overlooking his capital
The towers of Bologna
The towers of and were built in Europe, or together until Bologna are slender, as much as 60 meters (150 feet) tall, by the rich for defense and as status symbols. No other site perhaps the world, had so many tall structures crowded the coming of skyscrapers in the late 19th century.
Fig. 1 The great Ziggurat of Babylon
As many as 180 towers, of many different heights, are thought to have been built in Bologna during the 1100's and slightly later; now there are barely 20. The two most prominent (seen here) are the symbols of the city and have long been known together as the "Two Towers."
Fig. 2 The towers of Bologna
The First Safety Elevators
In this period illustration, shoppers ride the elevator in the new Lord & Taylor's department store on Broadway in New York City sometime during the 1870's. Around the same time, the first-ever elevator in an office building was also installed in New York. It was designed by Elisha Otis, whose company became synonymous with the new contraption. Elevators revolutionized office buildings, literally turning them upside down. Prior to their invention, the lower floors of a structure were the most valuable rental property because of the difficulty and inconvenience of climbing the stairs. But the elevator made it possible for elite tenants to enjoy the view from the upper floors - and allow buildings to rise higher and higher.
Fig.