Fifth Floor

One of the most noted skyscraper is the Empire State Building in New York City. Completed in 1931, the 1250 foot Empire State remained the world's tallest building for four decades. Build during the Depression years when jobs were hard to find, the developers of the Empire Building had no problem getting workers to construct this wonder. The building was completed in record time (18 months) with a work force of 3,400 workers and at a record cost (25 million).

The internal skeleton contains 57,000 tons of steel beams, connected by rivets and bolts. Although welding joints are proven to be stronger in the 1930s riveting was the most popular technique. Beams were moved to the site by a railway system and then transported upward by derricks and electric hoists.

The Empire State Building has proved the skyscraper's stability many times over. In 1945, a U.S. Air Force B-25 going at a speed of more than 250 miles per hour crashed into the 72nd and 73rd floor. Three people died in the plane and eleven in the building but the building stood firm.

The Empire State Building as we all know has stood up to the weight and force of "King Kong" climbing up to the top. If you decided to visit this wonder be careful "Kong" is still rombing at the top.