The Development of the Tall Building

The development of tall buildings is an account of technology and planning, human aspiration and commercial forces. The article is concerned with the interaction between cultural criteria, socio-economic problems and architectural and engineering solutions as they relate to the development of structure. The iron frame, the safe elevator, energy services and evacuation systems appeared piecemeal in many places. Structural and architectural concepts were fueled by many criteria. Methods of calculation and dimensioning appeared, manufacturing systems were built up. The many components amalgamated and spread outward from the 19th century New York and Chicago, the termini of the great North American trade route. Today, new centers of building and expertise are developing around the world.