english spring 2011

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