Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Iconic Photograph: Lunch Atop A Skyscraper

One night last week while searching online for information about Rockefeller Center, I accidentally stumbled upon a photograph that I knew I had seen before but never gave it much attention. Yet, when I saw it this time, I felt very drawn to click on the image so that I could find out more about it.

Let me first say that the reason I was searching for Rockefeller Center is because I plan on visiting its three observation decks sometime soon; therefore, I needed to find out about the tours they offer and ticket prices. In all the years that I lived in New York, going to the Top of the Rock was one attraction I had never experienced. I'd been to the top of The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, and The World Trade Center, but never the top of Rockefeller. However lately, I've been reading posts written by many New York City photographers who have said that the best view of Manhattan is from the Top of the Rock. And the reason is that because of where the building is positioned on the island, you can evenly see all of Upper and Lower Manhattan, which includes all the iconic New York City landmark buildings without anything blocking your view.

So, either this month or next, I'll be visiting the top of Rockefeller Center with my camera in hand, and I can't wait!

*doing the happy dance*

Anyway. After spending several nights researching this vintage photograph, I discovered much more than I ever thought. I discovered that the picture was taken during the construction of Rockefeller Center, which began in 1931. I also uncovered a wealth of history about the building itself and the men who built it. Picture after picture, and story after story came up, regarding these incredibly brave iron workers who risked their lives every single day.

And what blew me away about the pictures is that the iron workers used no type of safety harness that would prevent them from falling to their deaths. They freely walked along the steel beams by balancing themselves like acrobats.

Some of the pictures literally made the palms of my hands sweat in fear from just looking at them.

The photographs I'm about to share are a mixture of images from the construction of not only Rockefeller Center, but also The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

I think after looking at these images, you'll most definitely understand what the word FEARLESS means. And not only when it comes to the iron workers, but also the photographers who took these pictures.

Please enjoy...

Lunch Atop A Skyscraper first appeared in The New York Herald Tribune on October 2, 1932. Eleven iron workers sitting on a beam, 800 ft. above the city of New York, eating lunch. 

This photograph still remains a mystery as to all the names of these eleven men. It is also believed that this photograph was staged for publicity. But even if it was, I still considered these men brave because there is no way in hell I would ever have the guts to even stage a photo like this.

This picture gives a whole new meaning to the expression, "Balls of Steel."

OH...MY...GOD!!!

That's the Hudson River in the background.

The Empire State Building
Yup...this is one of the pictures that made my palms sweat!

And THIS one too!

Atop the Chrysler Building

I LOVE this clever picture because it was waaaaaaay before Photo Shop was ever invented.

Photographer

What totally impresses me about this picture is just how nonchalant he looks.

I love the glimpse of the Chrysler Building and the East River in the background.

Bravo, gentlemen!

I applaud your dedication, hard work, and phenomenal bravery.

*Photographs taken by: Lewis Hine, Charles Ebbets, Thomas Kelly, William Leftwich.

**If you wish, please watch this short (6 min.) video: Lunch Atop A Skyscraper: The Story Behind The 1932 Photo. You'll find it utterly fascinating!