Today the Empire State Building is a globally recognized symbol of American ingenuity and ambition. It quickly changed the New York skyline within 13 months, from 1930 to 1931. This monumental engineering and design achievement took tremendous resolve. It took the hard work of nearly 3,000 workers each day on the construction site to bring it to life. Photographer Lewis W. Hine documented their stories in rich, compelling detail. Together, these portraits tell the stories of triumph and tragedy that marked the construction of this pair of iconic spans.
In 1930, Hine was commissioned to document the construction of New York’s Empire State Building. He brought to bear a powerful visual documentation of the men hand digging foundations, handling large heavy pipes and cables, laying bricks, and walking along dangerous steel girders far above the earth. His photographs served to not only document the incredible work being done but to capture the personal story that lived behind the often-mundane construction process.
Furthermore, the architecture of the building itself is nothing short of spectacular. In the front lobby, a plaque proudly commemorates 32 people who earned craftsmanship awards for exemplary service, dedication and precision. Among them was Victor “Frenchy” Gosselin, a “connector” known for catching suspended beams and expertly maneuvering them into place for attachment to the steel frame. It was Hine’s dramatic portrait of Gosselin that truly mesmerized viewers. In 2013, it won the distinction of being memorialized by the United States Postal Service with its own stamp.
As much as we glorify the construction of the Empire State Building, it was not without its very deep shadows. Official city records indicate that five men died on the project. The actual death toll might be much worse. At least eight people died, amongst them seven construction workers and one unlucky Elizabeth Eager.
Kurtz’s book, “Men at Work: The Untold Story of the Empire State Building and the Craftsmen Who Built It,” delves into the lives of these workers. With census data, immigration records, union documents, and personal stories, he crafts an evocative depiction. This process allows him to document the depth and breadth of their lived experiences.
“Hine’s portraits play such an important role in the mythology surrounding not only the Empire State Building, but also 1930s America in general,” – Glenn Kurtz
Behind every statistic are the stories of individual workers, reminding us of the sacrifices made in pursuit of progress. Victor Gosselin’s life ended tragically when he died in a car accident at 46, leaving behind a widow and two young sons. Ferruccio Mariutto Another Italian craftsman loaded with talent and secrets. Sadly, he succumbed to an early death shortly before his 64th birthday, probably due to mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.
Matthew McKean was a carpenter who had immigrated from Scotland. As the story goes, he left his wife and two children behind to pursue his fortune in America. Vladimir Kozloff was born in Russia. He was the secretary of the House Wreckers Union and pushed hard for worker protections in hazardous environments.
“I was astonished to learn that no one had ever inquired about the men pictured,” – Kurtz
The lives of these workers oftentimes stay in the shadows behind their incredible feat. Kurtz emphasizes that many are perceived as too “ordinary” to be interesting, yet their skills and experiences are integral to architectural history.
“They are how every building gets built,” – Kurtz
Even the construction site itself proved to be dangerous. Workers like Gosselin operated at dizzying heights, often described as “strolling on the thin edge of nothingness.” In doing so they assumed extraordinary risks operating on and around the world’s third tallest building. Their safety was severely endangered while within the line of construction.
“Considering the worldwide fame of this photo, it’s astonishing we do not know the name of the man,” – Kurtz
The invisibility of so many workers is a consistent thread throughout Kurtz’s study. For Thomas, images like Gosselin’s represent something deeper, a powerful expression of courage and determination. They obscure the very real individual stories that undergird them.
“His use as a symbol almost precludes attention to him as an actual person. We may never know the truth, but I’d say I have 50% confidence in my conjecture,” – Kurtz
In this context, Kurtz’s work offers a decidedly critical perspective. It challenges us to move beyond symbolic gestures and appreciate the humanity of the people who worked day in and day out to build these monuments.
“Instead, it allows us to see the photograph more fully, and it roots Gosselin’s genuine heroism in a real life, tragically short and mostly unknown, rather than in a fantasy,” – Kurtz
The Empire State Building is one of the great architectural wonders, living today as a majestic symbol of resiliency. It’s a monument to the men and women who created it with their steel and sweat. Their contributions continue to resonate through time. The stories of Gosselin, Mariutto, McKean, and Kozloff serve as reminders of the resilience and determination that underpin such monumental achievements.