Daring Heights: Iconic 1932 Skyscraper Lunch Photo Still Wows!

This famous black-and-white photograph was taken on 20 September 1932. It shows 11 ironworkers enjoying lunch 850 feet above the ground on a steel beam, fearlessly suspended over the Manhattan skyline.

High-Rise Photograph
The image was captured during the construction of the RCA Building in New York City. It was part of an effort to showcase the growing trend of towering skyscrapers reshaping the city’s skyline.

Mystery Photographer
The identity of the photographer remains a mystery, despite widespread claims that credit belongs to Lewis Hine. Many believe this assumption is incorrect, adding a layer of intrigue to the photograph's story.

The photograph made its debut in the New York Herald Tribune’s Sunday supplement on 2 October 1932, with the caption: "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper."

Preserving History
Though the original glass negative was accidentally shattered into five pieces, it is preserved in a climate-controlled facility at Iron Mountain in Pennsylvania. This ensures the iconic image, which continues to captivate the world, remains part of our shared history.