The Structure Of Skyscrapers In America 1871-1900

History Architecture & Interior Design Technology & Computing

The Structure of Skyscrapers in America 1871–1900 by Donald Friedman is a richly illustrated engineering history that charts the bold iron and steel innovations which let cities climb sky-high after the Great Chicago Fire. In 442 pages, Friedman—renowned preservation engineer—walks readers through the birth of the American skyscraper, decoding foundations, wind bracing, and the riveted skeletons that shaped modern city skylines.

Scores of clear diagrams, period photographs, and technical drawings make the complex details accessible to architecture buffs, students, and anyone curious about how these early giants still stand. The book doubles as a practical reference for preservation professionals, explaining original construction methods and modern conservation approaches.

This 2020 paperback from the Association for Preservation Technology International remains tight and clean; a bump to the upper page corners is the only flaw, with no writing, ex-library marks, or dog-ears. Stored in a smoke-free home, it is ready for immediate shipping to builders, historians, or young engineers fascinated by the evolution of American architecture.