Skyscrapers
William Le Baron Jenney
About William Le Baron Jenney
William Le Baron Jenney was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on September 25, 1832. He was an architect. William Le Baron Jenney had his first formal education at Phillips Academy. He was the designer of The Home Insurance Building, the first skyscraper. Sadly, the inventor of the skyscrapers died of old age in Los Angeles on June 15, 1907.
The First Skyscraper
The first skyscraper was called the Home Insurance Building. It was a 10-story structure that was built in 1884-1885. It had a height of 138 feet. It was made to look like a Chicago school. This steel skyscraper was torn down in 1931. The Home Insurance Building was the first to use structural steel. It rests partly on 2 granite piers. It was the first building to carry both floors and external walls.
Industrial Revolution Facts
The Industrial Revolution started in 1790. These inventions were made during it:
- steam engine
- spinning jenny
- telephone
- cotton gin
The Industrial Revolution ended between 1820 and 1840.The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain. It spread throughout Western Europe and North America. The Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in history.
All Skyscrapers
Most skyscrapers are made of either steel or concrete. A skyscraper is held together by a steel skeleton of vertical columns horizontal girders beams and sometimes there are diagonal beams added for support. The tallest skyscraper in the world is currently one in Dubai. It is called Burj Khalifa. Newby McMahon is the name of the world's shortest skyscraper.Some skyscrapers at night are pictured below.
Chicago Skyscrapers, 1871-1934, by Thomas Leslie