![]() Construction professionals utilize the latest materials, techniques, and technologies to ensure longevity and structural integrity. Enduring Structures: Buildings, bridges, and roads are built to stand the test of time.From the graceful curves of suspension bridges to the stark outlines of towering skyscrapers, these creations are testaments to human ingenuity and technical prowess. Engineering Marvels: Construction professionals are the architects of our cities - their work embodies both functionality and aesthetic appeal.Here are some key takeaways and characteristics that exemplify the remarkable work of these unsung heroes: Bringing together their expertise, creativity, and boldness, they shape our cities' landscapes, leaving behind iconic structures that define a generation. In this article, we pay homage to these remarkable individuals, exploring the importance of their work and the profound impact they have on our urban landscapes.įrom the moment they break ground on a new project, construction professionals become artistic pioneers transforming an empty canvas into a flourishing urban masterpiece. Compare this to the 30 who died during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge or the over 1,200 who lost their lives during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.Īs for the possibility of your everyday pedestrian being killed by a coin dropped from the roof of the Empire State Building? Nonexistent.īy Diana Bocco, contributor for Ripleys.Summary: Unsung Heroes in Hard Hats: The Brave Men and Women Building Our Urban Landscapes Given the high risk and lack of safety equipment (no harnesses or hard hats anywhere), it’s surprising that “just” five workers died during the construction of the building. The confirmed deaths were caused by either falls or being struck by objects, with wet weather playing a part in at least some of the deaths. ![]() Unfounded rumors and a story published on the New York Daily News put the death toll at 14 men or even hundreds, although this has never been verified. There are five known deaths surrounding the construction of the Empire State Building. All workers earned $15 a day and on busy days (especially towards the end of the construction project), 3,000 men could be onsite at the same time.Įmbed from Getty Images When Tragedy Strikes A significant number of the ironworkers on site were Mohawk who had come over from the Kahnawake reservation specifically to work on the building. The 3,400-strong task force - often referred to back then as “the sky boys” - was made up of mainly Italian and Irish immigrant laborers who did everything from laying bricks and installing elevators, to setting up heating and ventilation, plus everything in between. ![]() This wouldn’t be possible today, when (thankfully) safety regulations and standards would demand the use of harnesses as a very minimum - but these daredevils were even a rarity back then, and press photographers loved them. You’ve seen the photos: workers walking or sitting on beams swinging up 80 stories up in the air, hanging from precarious cables or jumping over open spaces hundreds of feet above the street. The Daredevil Sky BoysĪs impressive as the Empire State Building still is today, perhaps more impressive is the men who are behind its construction. Sounds like a lot of money, but this was actually under budget (and ahead of schedule). And it wasn’t one that came cheap either - in today’s money, the land, planning, and construction of the Empire State Building cost the equivalent to over $750 million.
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