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The Original Skyscrapers Trivia Quiz

Today's record-breaking skyscrapers get all the attention. Here are ten of the much lesser-known buildings among the first to be given that name.

A photo quiz by AlexT781. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
AlexT781

Time
4 mins

Type
Photo Quiz

Quiz #
397,077

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
205

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. Chicago led the way in modern skyscraper design with the completion of what insurance company's new headquarters in 1885? Hint

Met Life

Michigan Mutual

Liberty Mutual

Home Insurance

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which iconic Manhattan landmark, built in 1909, had a hotel open inside it in 2015? Hint

Chrysler Building

Woolworth Building

Willis Tower

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which building, originally named the Fuller Building because it housed the skyscraper-specialist Fuller Company's headquarters, was built in New York City in 1902?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 4 of 10

4. From its completion in 1913 until 1930, which New York landmark was the tallest building in the world, measuring 792 feet tall? Hint

Phoenix Building

Flatiron Building

Woolworth Building

Singer Building

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1889, the first all-steel framed skyscraper was constructed in Chicago. Which company, best known for its travel maps, gave its name to this building? Hint

Lovell Johns

National Geographic

Visme

Rand McNally

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Tacoma Building, completed in 1889, was the first skyscraper to use what now-common fastener on its iron and steel framework? Hint

Bolts

Screws

Rivets

Welds

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Equitable Life Building, completed in 1870, stood 130 feet tall and was the first to feature what amenity? Hint

Fire alarms

Elevators

Observation deck

Water fountains

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Question 8 of 10

8. True or false. From 1895 until the early 1920s, Chicago's Masonic Temple was the tallest building in the city.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. True or false. The neo-gothic Tribune Tower in Chicago was the result of a design competition hosted by the Chicago Tribune.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 1898, the Call Building became the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. In which burgeoning California city is it found? Hint

San Diego

Los Angeles

San Francisco

Sacramento

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Chicago led the way in modern skyscraper design with the completion of what insurance company's new headquarters in 1885?

Answer: Home Insurance

The Home Insurance Building was to be the new headquarters of New York-based Home Insurance. Built with steel and reinforced concrete, it is arguably the first modern skyscraper to be built. It was demolished in 1931 to make room for the 500-foot-tall Field Building.

2. Which iconic Manhattan landmark, built in 1909, had a hotel open inside it in 2015?

Answer: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower

The Met Life Tower was the tallest building in the world until 1913, when the Woolworth Building surpassed it. Modelled on the Campanile in Venice, Italy, it features four clock faces, each about 30 feet in diameter and with clock hands that weigh nearly 1,000 pounds each.

3. Which building, originally named the Fuller Building because it housed the skyscraper-specialist Fuller Company's headquarters, was built in New York City in 1902?

Answer: Flatiron Building

Built at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, the Flatiron Building was considered by many to be a monstrosity at worst and a mistake at best. It has since become one of New York City's iconic buildings.

4. From its completion in 1913 until 1930, which New York landmark was the tallest building in the world, measuring 792 feet tall?

Answer: Woolworth Building

The neo-gothic Woolworth Building was built to house the headquarters of the five and dime store chain Woolworth's. It was the tallest building in the world until 1930, when the Chrysler Building eclipsed it.

5. In 1889, the first all-steel framed skyscraper was constructed in Chicago. Which company, best known for its travel maps, gave its name to this building?

Answer: Rand McNally

While far from the only tenant, Rand McNally & Co. was the largest company to use the building for its offices. It was demolished in 1911.

6. The Tacoma Building, completed in 1889, was the first skyscraper to use what now-common fastener on its iron and steel framework?

Answer: Rivets

Demolished in 1929, the Tacoma Building (located in Chicago) was a pioneering structure of the "Chicago School" of architecture.

7. The Equitable Life Building, completed in 1870, stood 130 feet tall and was the first to feature what amenity?

Answer: Elevators

The Equitable Life Building, the New York headquarters of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, was also considered fire-proof. It burned down in January, 1912.

8. True or false. From 1895 until the early 1920s, Chicago's Masonic Temple was the tallest building in the city.

Answer: True

The Masonic Temple became the tallest building in Chicago when the clock tower was removed from the Board of Trade Building. The building was demolished in 1939 so a subway line could be built underneath.

9. True or false. The neo-gothic Tribune Tower in Chicago was the result of a design competition hosted by the Chicago Tribune.

Answer: True

The Tribune Tower has a unique display of stones and bricks from famous buildings around the world, such as the Taj Mahal, Parthenon, and Hagia Sophia. Many pieces have been incorporated into the lower levels of the building itself, while later additions were placed around the building, such as a piece of the Berlin Wall and steel from the World Trade Center.

10. In 1898, the Call Building became the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. In which burgeoning California city is it found?

Answer: San Francisco

Today known as Central Tower, the Call Building housed the newspaper San Francisco Call. During the 1906 earthquake, the building was heavily damaged but managed to survive the quake and fire that came after it.

Source: Author AlexT781

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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