The world’s infatuation with big buildings began in 1889 when the 984-foot Eiffel Tower was erected in Paris. By the early twentieth century, American architects and builders were racing to outdo each other. In 1909 the Metropolitan Life Tower rose 700 feet, quickly followed by the 792-foot Woolworth Building in 1913. The first American building to surpass the Eiffel Tower was the Chrysler Building in 1930, which stood at 1046 feet with the help of a metal spire. Despite the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, the worldwide skyscraper race continues.
