| The Empire State Building remains among the most | | | | cutting or fitting. This feature turned out to be another |
| impressive structures in the world and with more than | | | | time saver in their race against Walter Chrysler. |
| 3 million visitors a year is still one of New York's top | | | | By October 3, 1930, 88 floors were completed and |
| tourist attractions. | | | | only 14 top floors remained to be built. These were the |
| The idea for the project originated from four wealthy | | | | most difficult ones due to building's distinctive design of |
| New York businessmen. One of these men was John | | | | a tower made of glass, steel, and aluminum topped |
| Jakob Raskob, who played a significant role in the | | | | with a dome, rising about 200 ft. into the sky. Yet, on |
| creation of General Motors. Their project had yet | | | | May 1st, 1931, President Hoover pressed a button in |
| another automotive connection because it was in a | | | | Washington, D.C. that turned on its lights and officially |
| race with plans by Walter Chrysler to erect the | | | | opened the Empire State Building to business and |
| world's tallest building in New York City. | | | | visitors. |
| In 1929 these businessmen united to form Empire | | | | Over the years, the Empire State Building has gone on |
| State, Inc. and construction of the skyscraper began | | | | to host important dignitaries and political and |
| on March 17, 1930. Amazingly, it took just one year and | | | | entertainment figures. The famous observation deck |
| 45 days to build this towering edifice. When it opened | | | | has been the site for many movie scenes. Among the |
| in 1931 the Empire State Building was officially | | | | many films that featured it were Annie Hall, The |
| designated as the World's Tallest Building. | | | | French Connection, Guys and Dolls, Independence Day, |
| Once the construction began, the building's steel frame | | | | Serpico, Superman II, Taxi Driver, and When Harry Met |
| rose at an average rate of four and a half floors per | | | | Sally. Perhaps movie fans will remember the Empire |
| week. To speed construction, the posts, beams, | | | | State Building most of all for the infamous scene in |
| windows and window frames were made in factories | | | | King Kong where the giant ape hung from the tower |
| and put together on the site. Some 60,000 tons of | | | | swatting at bi-planes. |
| steel was brought in from steel mills in Pennsylvania by | | | | In 1986, the Empire State Building was recognized as a |
| train, barges and trucks. | | | | National Historic Landmark. Recent improvements |
| William Lamb of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon was | | | | have modernized it so that visitors today are whisked |
| the architect for the Empire State Building, and his | | | | by high speed elevator to the 86th floor open-air |
| design was influenced by the perpendicular style of | | | | observatory. There they can enjoy a panoramic view |
| Eliel Saarinen. Most of his design was based on a | | | | for as far as 80 miles, as well as New York's |
| simple pencil with its clean and soaring lines. Lamb | | | | incredible architecture. |
| decided that the columns of stone would be easier to | | | | Don't forget to schedule a visit the observation deck |
| put up if they were separated from the windows with | | | | the next time you take a student group to New York |
| metal strips. The fact that they covered the stone's | | | | City. Not only will the students learn about this amazing |
| edges meant the stone could be rough-cut at the | | | | skyscraper they'll also have the best seat on the East |
| quarry and then heaved into place without any final | | | | coast to view the sights of New York City. |