Page 57 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

galvanized iron. Although sinks later changed to porcelain, porcelain baths were too brittle, so enameled cast-iron baths are still common. At the same time, metal faucets were introduced,
(Below) The construction
of the Empire State Building along with metal door handles. would not have been possible
The first building with an all-metal structure was built in 1885 in Chicago – the 10-story Home Insurance Company Building. It began a rush to build higher and higher office blocks, all with a framework of steel holding them up. The electric elevator was invented by Elisha Otis using steel cables and an all-metal car. This made it possible to reach high floors in even taller buildings. In 1931 the skyscraper reached the unbelievable height of 102 stories and 381 metres in the construction of the Empire State Building.
Steel was also used for bridges, both when supported from below on girders and when hung from cables, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. Steel is also used in buildings where a large open space is needed. Today’s warehouses are almost always made
of a welded steel design that allows room for machines to move around inside them.
(Left and below) The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, an example of a suspension bridge with metal cables and trusses to support the roadway.
without metal frames.
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