On Saturday, July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber traveling at 200 miles per hour (330 km/h) out of Massachusetts headed for Newark Airport got lost in dense fog and flew into floors 78 and 79 of New York City’s Empire State Building, the tallest building in …
The Flatiron Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in New York City and has been a defining feature of the Manhattan skyline for over a century. Its unique triangular shape and architectural significance have made it an icon of the city's rich …
Throughout the decades, a number of important and interesting sites and landmarks have been lost, many due to the urbanization of cities, sometimes they're torn down due to mounting maintenance costs after falling into disrepair, and sometimes they'll fall pre…
These incredible black and white photographs document everyday life in New York City in the 1940s and offer a glimpse into a long-gone era. From street peddlers selling fish or fresh ears of corn, to cars stalled under mounds of snow, scenes are both fa…
The only thing as impressive as the Empire State Building are the men who built it and during that time rules for construction workers were a lot laxer than they are today. The hardworking men way up high who were moving girders, riveting, painting, and eve…
Covering 1,216 acres, in Flushing Meadows, New York, the 1939 New York World's Fair, like the legendary Phoenix rising from the ashes, was erected on what was an ash-dump. The theme, "Building the World of Tomorrow" echoed in virtually every corner of the …
The idea for the Empire State Building is said to have been born of a competition between Walter Chrysler of the Chrysler Corporation and John Jakob Raskob of General Motors, to see who could erect the taller building. Chrysler had already begun work on…
The fearless ‘Three Jacksons,’ acrobats, Jarley Smith, Jewell Waddek, and Jimmy Kerrigan perform a balancing act on a ledge on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building in Manhattan on August 21, 1934. The act took place 1,050 feet (320m) above the pavem…
This powerful photo taken by Robert C. Wiles was published as a full-page image in the 12 May 1947 issue of Life Magazine. It ran with the caption: “At the bottom of the Empire State Building the body of Evelyn McHale reposes calmly in grotesque bier, h…
Emerging at the dawn of the 20th century, Art Deco captured a world in transition — one balancing tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and technology. Born in Paris in the 1910s, just before World War I, this new aesthetic quickly became a symbol of progr…
Cityscapes don’t stay still. Over the past century, the world’s most famous cities have undergone dramatic transformations—some so extensive they’re almost unrecognizable. What were once quiet boulevards or modest town centers are now surrounded by soar…
In 1933, King Kong captivated audiences with its groundbreaking special effects and compelling storytelling. This article takes you behind the scenes, revealing the backstory and the meticulous work and creativity involved in making this classic horror fi…
The iconic photograph known as "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" captures a moment frozen in time, taken on September 20, 1932. In this black-and-white image, eleven intrepid ironworkers find themselves seated upon a steel beam, soaring 850 feet (260 meters) ab…
The origins of some of the world's most iconic companies are often shrouded in myth and legend, with stories of innovation, perseverance, and luck. But what did these companies really look like in their early days? Thanks to the power of photography, we…
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition that has been celebrated for almost a century. Every year, millions of people gather on the streets of New York City to witness the iconic parade, featuring massive floats, marching bands, and giganti…
Mining coal has always been a dangerous and challenging occupation, requiring workers to dig deep underground, often in cramped and dangerous conditions. In this article, we present a collection of vintage photos that offer a glimpse into the daily stru…
In 1945, Todd Webb was discharged from the U.S. Navy following World War II, and landed in New York. With a keen fascination for the bustling humanity of Manhattan, he took his large-format camera out to the streets, capturing its people and places in all w…
After World War II had ended, the surrendered Japan was devastated. All the large cities, industries, and transportation networks were severely damaged. A severe shortage of food continued for several years. Allied forces led by the United States occupi…
The World Trade Center project was initiated in the early 1960s through the influence of David Rockefeller in part to reclaim a part of the city that had fallen on hard times. The vision was meant to use the trade facility and urban renewal as tools to clea…
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, strongmen more often exhibited their incredible power as circus performers and entertainers than as competitive athletes. Originating in Europe and spreading to the United States, physical culturists incl…