GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The skyscraper building type was invented in America during the late 19th century in Chicago and New York. By the 1910s, so many high-rise buildings were being erected that authorities in Manhattan feared sunlight would eventually be unable to reach the streets below. In 1916, New York’s zoning board took action and ruled that the upper floors of skyscrapers be stair-stepped back in proportion to the building’s height. The buildings that resulted, including landmarks like the Chrysler (1928–1931) and Empire State buildings (1930–1931), proved to be some of the most potent symbols of American modernism and power during the 1920s and early 1930s.
Capturing the spirit of a brave new world increasingly dependent on machines, skyscraper imagery was applied to many types of objects. This imagery, appearing as weight scales in the shape of tall buildings and as ornament on plates and textiles, flourished until the pall of the Great Depression settled over the country following the stock market crash of 1929.
Adapted from
Charles Venable, “Art Deco and Streamlined Modern Design, 1920-1950” Gallery text, 2001.
NOTES
ASSOCIATED CONTENT CHUNKS
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
set operator as or
apply to objects where number equals 1999.50
apply to objects where number equals 1996.46
apply to objects where number equals 2001.223
Category
rules_operator
OR
General Description
The skyscraper building type was invented in America during the late 19th century in Chicago and New York. By the 1910s, so many high-rise buildings were being erected that authorities in Manhattan feared sunlight would eventually be unable to reach the streets below. In 1916, New York’s zoning board took action and ruled that the upper floors of skyscrapers be stair-stepped back in proportion to the building’s height. The buildings that resulted, including landmarks like the Chrysler (1928–1931) and Empire State buildings (1930–1931), proved to be some of the most potent symbols of American modernism and power during the 1920s and early 1930s.
Capturing the spirit of a brave new world increasingly dependent on machines, skyscraper imagery was applied to many types of objects. This imagery, appearing as weight scales in the shape of tall buildings and as ornament on plates and textiles, flourished until the pall of the Great Depression settled over the country following the stock market crash of 1929.
Adapted from
Charles Venable, “Art Deco and Streamlined Modern Design, 1920-1950” Gallery text, 2001.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1999.50
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1996.46
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2001.223
source file
time_and_place-0094.xml.nores