Hillary's comments:
We had the world's very first skyscraper! The Home Insurance Building, built mid-1880s, first building to support its weight entirely with metal skeleton frame construction. Torn down in 1931. Everyone knows Frank Lloyd Wright, but like I explain on my tours, you've got to see the "family tree" that leads to him: this guy -- William LeBaron Jenney -- was like the grandfather/patriarch of them all.
Place-wise, you're looking at the NE corner of LaSalle and Adams. This one was torn down to make room for a beautiful Art Deco building (the FIeld Building). So, sort of a win-win.
Follow the "posted" link for comments about how Jenny fit into the "family tree" and the importance of Otis inventing the safety brake for elevators. Follow the Chicago Architecture Info link for more information on the building's design. Specifically, it used an iron/steel frame rather than stone walls. Before this building, 5 stories was the practical limit for a tall building.
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