Tuesday
Near where I live in central London, there is a big construction site and one of the most impressive things about the work going on has been to watch the crane-driver deftly move the huge arms of the crane around to lift and place different materials. I don't suffer from vertigo but I certainly would not have the guts to sit up in the cab at the top, or be able to easily face the long climb up and down. The crane-drivers are one of those group of construction workers that make much of the modern urban skyline possible. So here's to them. And here is a nice article about this feature of the modern urban landscape.
They must feel like Gods doing it. What a great way to earn your meat and two veg.
Posted by mike at December 15, 2009 03:38 PM
Would hate to experience the feeling of being in one as it's falling over (rare, but it happens).
Posted by James at December 15, 2009 06:19 PM
There is a crane related documentary I can recommend.....
Posted by Noel C at December 15, 2009 08:32 PM
Here's a related post, running a 30 ton scrap crane using a Wii remote (w/ video). http://entitycrisis.blogspot.com/2009/07/python-wiimote-30-tonnes-of-steel.html
[I wasn't involved in the project but am a contributor to Python, the open source language they used to write the interface.]
Posted by Jack Diederich at December 16, 2009 05:00 PM
You say "modern urban skyline" like that's a Good Thing.
Respectfully, I would disagree. Ten floors, tops. Five would be even better.
Posted by Kim du Toit at December 16, 2009 07:28 PM
The sons of Mary seldom bother, for they have inherited
that good part;
But the Sons of Martha favour their Mother of the
careful soul and the troubled heart.
And because she lost her temper once, and because she
was rude to the Lord her Guest,
Her Sons must wait upon Mary's Sons, world without
end, reprieve, or rest.
It is their care in all the ages to take the buffet and
cushion the shock.
It is their care that the gear engages; it is their care that
the switches lock.
It is their care that the wheels run truly; it is their care
to embark and entrain,
Tally, transport, and deliver duly the Sons of Mary by
land and main.
--Rudyard Kipling
Posted by Tom Dickson-Hunt at December 17, 2009 03:26 AM
Kim, I take it you would not like to live in New York, then.
Posted by Johnathan Pearce at December 18, 2009 09:12 AM
I was about to say "I would not lilke to live in New York" (as I am no fan of sky scapers), but then I thought........
Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Tilden library, the art galleries, the museums, Central Park.............
So saying "I would not like to live in New York" would be a lie.
Posted by Paul Marks at December 21, 2009 08:36 PM
Actually I do not dislike tall buildings either.
But I do dislike the glass boxes that seem to have taken over design after World War II.
I like not only the historical designs that Rand seems to have disliked (such as the Woolworth building in New York - and the Chicago Tribune building in Chicago), I also like the "modern" designs that have some character - such as the Empire State Building.
What I dislike (dislike a lot) is the sort of building that needs a caption on the bottom of the photograph to tell you what building it is - because it looks exactly the same as hundreds of other tall glass boxes.
I even have a sneaking likeing for the Sears Tower in Chicago - because it looks like itself, unlike the other towers.
"I partly pulled a cigarette out of a pack and then looked at the cigarette with the others packed round it at lower levels - and then I thought...." As the architect said.
Now there is a story Rand would have liked.
Yes and I know that Rand died of cancer - the lady made her choice and lived who own way.
Posted by Paul Marks at December 21, 2009 08:47 PM
