14 Nerve-Wracking Photos From High Atop Old School NYC Skyscrapers

A group of steel workers standing on scaffolding 70 storeys high looking down over New York City from the RCA building, 1938.

A group of steel workers standing on scaffolding 70 storeys high looking down over New York City from the RCA building, 1938.

83d9b80a5.jpeg

A group of steel workers standing on scaffolding 70 storeys high looking down over New York City from the RCA building, 1938.

Getty Images

Steel workers at work on the cities service building in New York, with the City Bank in the background, 1925.

Steel workers at work on the cities service building in New York, with the City Bank in the background, 1925.

c56fc44a2.jpeg

Steel workers at work on the cities service building in New York, with the City Bank in the background, 1925.

Getty Images

A construction worker is hauled up to his place of work on a 30 storey skyscraper on New York's waterfront, 1890.

A construction worker is hauled up to his place of work on a 30 storey skyscraper on New York's waterfront, 1890.

d54d3501c.jpeg

A construction worker is hauled up to his place of work on a 30 storey skyscraper on New York's waterfront, 1890.

Getty Images

The Bankers Trust Building in New York City, 1931.

The Bankers Trust Building in New York City, 1931.

610d251a9.jpeg

The Bankers Trust Building in New York City, 1931.

Getty Images

A construction worker does structural work, 1930.

A construction worker does structural work, 1930.

deca6872a.jpeg

A construction worker does structural work, 1930.

Getty Images

A workman takes a siesta on a girder during the building of Radio City, the city of New York spread out below, 1933.

A workman takes a siesta on a girder during the building of Radio City, the city of New York spread out below, 1933.

f0ebbbb1a.jpeg

A workman takes a siesta on a girder during the building of Radio City, the city of New York spread out below, 1933.

Getty Images

Construction workers on the 59th floor of the Pan American Building in New York. The Empire State building is seen in the background, 1962.

Construction workers on the 59th floor of the Pan American Building in New York. The Empire State building is seen in the background, 1962.

6aa44ae2f.jpeg

Construction workers on the 59th floor of the Pan American Building in New York. The Empire State building is seen in the background, 1962.

Getty Images

Harmonica playing steel workers perched on a girder on the 22nd storey of the Murray Hill building, New York, 1930.

Harmonica playing steel workers perched on a girder on the 22nd storey of the Murray Hill building, New York, 1930.

363d8109c.jpeg

Harmonica playing steel workers perched on a girder on the 22nd storey of the Murray Hill building, New York, 1930.

Getty Images

Scaffolding workers twenty storeys above the ground during the building of the Telephone Company building at Vesey Street, 1925.

Scaffolding workers twenty storeys above the ground during the building of the Telephone Company building at Vesey Street, 1925.

843596c03.jpeg

Scaffolding workers twenty storeys above the ground during the building of the Telephone Company building at Vesey Street, 1925.

Getty Images

An American construction worker walking blindfolded on a construction girder twenty stories high in New York City, 1925.

An American construction worker walking blindfolded on a construction girder twenty stories high in New York City, 1925.

a5561ec37.jpeg

An American construction worker walking blindfolded on a construction girder twenty stories high in New York City, 1925.

Getty Images

A construction worker on the Pan American building sits on a girder above the New York streets, 1962.

A construction worker on the Pan American building sits on a girder above the New York streets, 1962.

808c9a5b2.jpeg

A construction worker on the Pan American building sits on a girder above the New York streets, 1962.

Getty Images

Two construction workers on the Pan American Building standing on girders 59 storeys above the New York streets, 1962.

Two construction workers on the Pan American Building standing on girders 59 storeys above the New York streets, 1962.

00c0b8a66.jpeg

Two construction workers on the Pan American Building standing on girders 59 storeys above the New York streets, 1962.

Getty Images

A window cleaner at work on the RCA Building, Rockefeller Center, in New York City, 1961.

A window cleaner at work on the RCA Building, Rockefeller Center, in New York City, 1961.

6e5a46d66.jpeg

A window cleaner at work on the RCA Building, Rockefeller Center, in New York City, 1961.

Getty Images

Another view of the RCA Building window cleaner, 1961.

Another view of the RCA Building window cleaner, 1961.

76ff5e5a8.jpeg

Another view of the RCA Building window cleaner, 1961.

Getty Images