Many men risked their lives, back in the days before safety finally became standard, to construct the world’s skyscrapers. The first image below is one of those daredevils who captured such moments on film for posterity. His name was Charles C. Ebbets, and he was himself an adventurer, stuntman, actor, wing-walker and photographer. If you’d like to know more about him, his daughter has set up a website to document his life and pictures; click here. Meanwhile, enjoy the images below – even if it’s just with morbid curiosity (if you’re afraid of heights, take a deep breath first).
Charles C. Ebbets
Charles C. Ebbets’ “Waldorf, Astoria”, © Bettmann Archives, Corbis
Charles C. Ebbets’ Laurel and Hardy, © Bettmann Archives, Corbis
Charles C. Ebbets’ famous “Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper”
Charles C. Ebbets’ “Tee Time”, © Bettmann Archives, Corbis
Unidentified photographer, 1907
Worker painting the Eifel Tower, 1953
Construction workers on the Gold Gate Bridge
London, 1929
Stephanie Huesler 
Insane!
Definitely!
Those photos are amazing. I had seen some of them before, but they always send shivers up my spine.
Oo-very-er
I know! I dreamt of heights last night! 😛