I have got to say that this was a fun job. Just going into the Chicago Sears classic skyscraper in the early 1980s and knocking on tenets doors and asking them if we could film what they were doing at that moment, was surprisingly interesting. Most people's jobs were interesting and people seemed involved. The jobs were probably more interesting then than they are today if I had the same responsibility to knock on people's doors in any skyscraper in America. I was making this documentary for the Building Systems Division of United Technologies Corporation when "smart buildings" were new and exciting.
Chicago's history with skyscrapers is deeply intertwined with its identity as a city. As the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, Chicago has been at the forefront of architectural innovation and urban planning since the late 19th century.
The history of Chicago skyscrapers began after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, that destroyed a vast portion of the city. The reconstruction efforts that followed provided an opportunity to utilize new building technologies and designs. The Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885 and often considered the world's first skyscraper, was a significant milestone. It was the first building to use a steel skeleton structure, allowing it to rise to a then-unprecedented height of 10 stories (later expanded to 12), which marked a fundamental shift in urban architecture.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of the Chicago School of architecture, a group of architects known for their innovative designs that emphasized height and the use of steel-frame construction. This period was characterized by buildings that featured large windows, flat roofs, and minimal ornamentation, focusing on functional design and the use of modern materials to support taller structures.
Throughout the 20th century, Chicago continued to be a laboratory for architectural innovation and skyscraper construction. The city's skyline expanded with notable additions like the Tribune Tower (1925), the Merchandise Mart (1930), and the Willis Tower (originally known as the Sears Tower, completed in 1973).
The Sears Tower, renamed the Willis Tower in 2009, is one of the most iconic skyscrapers not just in Chicago but in the world. When it was completed in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held for nearly 25 years. The tower reaches a height of 1,450 feet (442 meters), not including its antenna.
The building's design features a bundled tube structure, a novel architectural technique at the time that supported the tower's record-breaking height and provided economic advantages by reducing the amount of structural steel needed. The Sears Tower was commissioned by Sears, Roebuck & Co., once the world's largest retailer, to consolidate its thousands of employees in one building.
The tower's black aluminum and bronze-tinted glass facade is segmented into nine tubes of varying heights, creating a step-like design that has become an architectural landmark.
The Sears Tower's construction marked a pinnacle in the era of skyscraper rivalry, showcasing advancements in engineering and architectural design. It has remained a symbol of Chicago's architectural heritage and innovation. Today, the Willis Tower continues to be a major tourist attraction, featuring the Skydeck observation deck on the 103rd floor, where visitors can experience breathtaking views of Chicago and beyond.