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Story
April 13, 1906
Deming Graphic
Deming, Luna County, New Mexico
What is this article about?
A New York architect argues that skyscrapers are an ancient concept, originating from high, narrow buildings in fortified cities for defensive efficiency, with examples in old European quarters like Paris, predating modern American ones, possibly influenced by Ben Franklin.
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Skyscrapers Are Not New.
We are accustomed to regard the skyscraper as a purely modern idea, a development brought about by the crowded conditions prevailing in modern cities, but according to a New York architect who has made a special study of the genealogy of the tall buildings, this form of roof tree is old rather than new.
"All of the fortified cities were built very high and narrow," he said. "The higher the buildings the less the circumference of the wall necessary to inclose them, with consequent economy in the ft. or of men necessary for the patrol and defense.
"Some of the highest houses and narrowest streets in Paris and other European cities today," he went on to explain, "are found in the oldest quarters, those which formed the original city. The population of the outlying districts of Paris is for the most part housed in tenements, in many respects worse than the worst of our own. Compared with the high buildings of New York and Chicago the French tenement is, of course, a mere pygmy, but the fact remains that Europe for generations has built in the air. It may be that Ben Franklin brought the idea home with him after his diplomatic mission abroad."
We are accustomed to regard the skyscraper as a purely modern idea, a development brought about by the crowded conditions prevailing in modern cities, but according to a New York architect who has made a special study of the genealogy of the tall buildings, this form of roof tree is old rather than new.
"All of the fortified cities were built very high and narrow," he said. "The higher the buildings the less the circumference of the wall necessary to inclose them, with consequent economy in the ft. or of men necessary for the patrol and defense.
"Some of the highest houses and narrowest streets in Paris and other European cities today," he went on to explain, "are found in the oldest quarters, those which formed the original city. The population of the outlying districts of Paris is for the most part housed in tenements, in many respects worse than the worst of our own. Compared with the high buildings of New York and Chicago the French tenement is, of course, a mere pygmy, but the fact remains that Europe for generations has built in the air. It may be that Ben Franklin brought the idea home with him after his diplomatic mission abroad."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What keywords are associated?
Skyscrapers
Architectural History
Fortified Cities
European Tenements
Ben Franklin
What entities or persons were involved?
New York Architect
Ben Franklin
Where did it happen?
Paris, New York, Chicago, Europe
Story Details
Key Persons
New York Architect
Ben Franklin
Location
Paris, New York, Chicago, Europe
Story Details
A New York architect explains that skyscrapers echo ancient high narrow buildings in fortified cities for defense economy, with surviving examples in old European quarters like Paris, contrasting with modern American ones, possibly introduced by Ben Franklin.