Several dereks on top were used to build the Empire State Building

In addition to a page on the construction of the Empire State Building, there are pages on the construction of the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower (1889).

The New York Public Library from DustyOldThing

Museum of the City of New York posted

Though the Empire State Building would hold the title of world’s tallest building for 40 years, construction was completed in a record-breaking one year and 45 days. At its peak, more than 3,000 workers were on the project. The men, who earned the nickname “sky boys,” were mostly Irish and Italian immigrants, though a notable minority were Mohawk ironworkers. 

This image, captured by groundbreaking social photographer Lewis Wickes Hine, is on view in our exhibition “People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100.” The photograph is just one example of the ways in which the Museum has collected objects—from construction tools to architects’ models—related to the modernization of the city’s landscape. #MCNY100 

📷: Empire State Building Construction, ca. 1930, by Lewis Wickes Hine, Museum of the City of New York, L638.8, ©The New York Public Library

John Ryan: My favorite fact is that considering how tight the space is in Midtown, when the "I" beams got delivered they went straight from the truck to their spot on the building....there was no space for storing them until needed. A logistical nightmare in the 1930s....but they pulled it off.

Bill Bly: John Ryan that is what the derrick raising gangs did best. You landed the loads in the bays where you would set them. Once you shook out the pieces they were in the best spot to go straight up with as few moves as possible. Once the gang started setting it was well coordinated and quickly paced.

John Parker: Bill Bly Lester Stalk told me the Plank gang was brutal.

Bill Bly: John Parker yes the planks were big and heavy. Prior to metal decking the plank gangs covered the complete floor for a working floor. As the derricks jumped up the plank gang would pick up all the planks and make loads cantilevered on the sides of buildings to be pulled up to the next floor. It was a tough job humping planks all day long. With decking they used planks to cover the elevator shafts, open holes. Also planks were used over deck by the raising gangs to shake out iron. These plans and 4x4 were used as dunnage not to cover holes. The same gang often put down metal screens and safety wires. All this work was a rush to button up the floor before going to the street to take steel in from the trucks.

Mike King: John Parker planks were real 2 by 12 and buy I believe 16 foot probably 100#. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Ross Johnson: That famous photo of men eating lunch on a beam… I was in a home for sale about 20 years ago and they had that picture on the wall. I commented on it and the elderly woman of the house pointed to one of the men saying that was her uncle. I thought that was an amazing reason to have that picture on the wall!

Raymond Carroll: Takes that long to get some of the permits today.

Mike Preston: No hard hats. Look at the headache ball couple inches from the guys head.

Michael Thomas: Look at that headache ball and the guy being told to pull the lines a little tighter...I feel the apprehension ! 

Dramatic photography at its best.

David Simmons: The Chrysler building is actually taller than the Empire State Building until the ESB mounted a very large antenna.