Synopsis
In this article based on his 2024 James Sutherland History Lecture, Donald Friedman charts the development of skyscrapers in the USA from 1870 onwards. He explores how a need for denser construction in city centres, combined with an imperative to protect these buildings and their occupants from fire, drove technological changes which allowed the design of ever taller buildings. Donald also considers the relevance of these technologies to structural engineers today, particularly in respect to the development of reduced-carbon systems and the need to better understand old building structure.