english spring 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction•1930’s Engineering Feats–Design of skyscrapers–Modern bridges–Harnessing the Colorado River
Design Styles
Art Deco
• Highly decorative
• Hard masculine angles
• Modern look of the time
Modern Art
• Stark simplicity• Plain lines• No ornamentation• Emphasis on
horizontal
Gothic Revival
• Steep roof angles• Towers• Pointed arches
Empire State Building
Over 100 stories60,000 tons of steel usedBuilt in 14 months
Chrysler Building
Short-lived tallest building
Spire clad in stainless steel
Spire illuminated from within
RCA Victor Building
•Most notable for its crown
•Designed around the idea of radio waves
•Taken over by General Electric
Rockefeller Center
• A city within a city• Christmas Tree
tradition• Skating rink built
1939
Terminal Tower•Now a national
landmark•Tallest building
outside of New York until 1964
•Originally planned to be only fourteen stories
Bridge Technology• Suspension
bridges popular during this time
• The structure stands because tension is transferred through the bridge and into the earth
George Washington Bridge
• Crosses the Hudson
• Multilevel suspension bridge
• Cosmetically revised
• First opened in 1931
Golden Gate Bridge
• Longest suspension bridge until 1964.
• Orange color the idea of Irving Morrow
• Sirens blare when foggy conditions endanger ships
• 18,000 people crossed the bridge on foot the first day open
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
• Segmented bridge• Includes a tunnel dug
out the side of an island
• Obstacles in building included gusty winds, great distance, inaccessibility to bedrock, and shallow water levels
Hoover Dam• Prevents
flooding• Aids irrigation• Produces
hydroelectricity• Over 7 million
tourists visit a year