For centuries, the tallest structures were religious in nature, ranging from the pyramids to the medieval cathedrals of Europe to the mosques and temples of the East and Asia. However, from the 19th century to the early years of the next, technical developments in electricity, heating and cooling, and building methods—as well as innovations such as the elevator—offered new opportunities in construction that set off rivalries in the race to create the tallest building in the world.
During the first three decades of the 20th century, high-rise architecture typically incorporated the prevailing historic styles. Modernism, with its simplified forms and rejection of ornamentation, became the dominant style only during the post-World War II period. By mid-century, the “glass box” skyscraper became ubiquitous across the world, often burdening infrastructure, creating urban congestion, and carrying environmental consequences. Bill Keene, a lecturer in architecture and urban studies, traces developments in technology, materials, and regulations that accelerated the rise of the skyscraper.
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