| The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building |
| 500 Fifth Ave. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/500_Fifth_Avenue |
Google Earth really does help with its showing of 3D buildings and its ability to rotate to
get the right view. Especially seeing the places I’ve been/I’m at in satellite view…and
helped with where this is or that is and so forth. Even with Google Earth, getting the
answer took a bit of manipulating it to find the right angles and buildings (taking into
account about nearly 80 years difference). Carl Blessing
*****
Just found this story about the history of "topping out" ceremonies -- the Empire State
Building had 3 - the final one in November 1930 when the dirigible mooring mast was
raised.. www.nytimes.com/1984/10/21/realestate/the-hoary-tradition-of-topping-out.html?&pagewanted=all
Diane Burkett
*****
I would say the camera is facing NE and the bridge in the background is the
Queensboro (the google map spelling) Bridge.
Tin Eye is a great site. I found it fascinating that the first picture had 19 hits and of
those 19 7 countries (counting the US) were represented. That was a surprise.
Tin Eye should allow all of us an advantage on these quizzes. You will have to work a
lot harder on the questions. Milene Rawlinson
N. B. Thank you for the observation!
*****
[To solve the puzzle], first I had to eliminate unwarranted assumptions about a) what I
was looking at and b) what I was looking for.
Your information that I was a few blocks off, and a slightly larger, clearer image of the
photo with no X on it made it possible. I had completely misread the altitude of the
camera, thinking it was lower, so that I thought that the buildings which turn out to be
on 42nd St. were several blocks south, about 37th. That would have put the library on
the other side where it could not be seen. Consequently I hadn't looked that far up on
Google Earth or Google Maps to see what the (correct) buildings looked like. Also, in
the image with the red X, it looked to my eye that the X was on the roof of a building,
not at ground level. When you told me I was several blocks off I was forced to go
farther uptown, and when I saw the shape of the library it was unmistakeable, that I
had mistranslated the 2D image of it into something very unlibrarylike. Going back to
the clearer image, I could then see how my eye had tricked me. The building at the
right of the photo was beyond doubt 500 5th Ave., across 42nd St. from the library.
That forced the realization that Hine's camera was a lot farther off the ground than I
had thought. It's okay to use an assumption as a working hypothesis, just don't get
married to it! Peter Norton
*****
The direction of the camera was the most challenging part of the quiz for me. I have
rushed past the NY Public Library on many occasions when running for a train at Penn
Station (not being able to hail a cab) after a client meeting in NYC. This was a fun
quiz with many good memories. Jocelyn Thayer
*****
I'm surprised that people had a hard time with this weeks quiz. Since you sent me the
email referring to the TinEye web site, I thought I would try it out. I uploaded the two
images to TinEye which came back with several hits for the first picture and a couple
hits for the second. I had already suspected that the first image showed the Empire
State Building being constructed and that the building in the background was the
Chrysler Building. The first question was easily answered by googling Empire State
Building construction. As for the second question, I determined that The Chrysler
Building is northeast of the Empire State Building using Google Maps and Google Earth.
The last question was a little harder, but not too much so. Since I didn't know in what
direction the camera was pointed from the point of view of the Empire State Building, I
googled "Empire State Building panorama" and found what I thought to be the two
buildings behind the building with the X beside it from the panorama view provided on
the gigapan.org web site. The panorama also included enough of the roof of the
building with the X beside it to confirm that I had found the right location. With the
relative location of the building in question to the Empire State Building, it was a simple
matter using Google Maps and Google Earth to find that the building beside the X was
the New York Public Library. I wasn't sure that this was the answer you wanted, but
since there didn't seem to be anything else constructed at the exact location of the X in
your photo, I assumed that the 5th Avenue entrance to the library was the only logical
answer.
Looking forward to next weeks quiz. Dan Jolley
*****
Maps are my thing so I had to come out of retirement for this one. Unsolicited
Advertisement...Google Earth is good for much more that solving Forensic Genealogy
quizzes. I have used it to plan hikes up trails in the Teton's, View geo-tagged photos on
the western islands of Scotland and to retrace my path to figure out how far (or short)
a run was. Very useful. Zach Chambers
get the right view. Especially seeing the places I’ve been/I’m at in satellite view…and
helped with where this is or that is and so forth. Even with Google Earth, getting the
answer took a bit of manipulating it to find the right angles and buildings (taking into
account about nearly 80 years difference). Carl Blessing
*****
Just found this story about the history of "topping out" ceremonies -- the Empire State
Building had 3 - the final one in November 1930 when the dirigible mooring mast was
raised.. www.nytimes.com/1984/10/21/realestate/the-hoary-tradition-of-topping-out.html?&pagewanted=all
Diane Burkett
*****
I would say the camera is facing NE and the bridge in the background is the
Queensboro (the google map spelling) Bridge.
Tin Eye is a great site. I found it fascinating that the first picture had 19 hits and of
those 19 7 countries (counting the US) were represented. That was a surprise.
Tin Eye should allow all of us an advantage on these quizzes. You will have to work a
lot harder on the questions. Milene Rawlinson
N. B. Thank you for the observation!
*****
[To solve the puzzle], first I had to eliminate unwarranted assumptions about a) what I
was looking at and b) what I was looking for.
Your information that I was a few blocks off, and a slightly larger, clearer image of the
photo with no X on it made it possible. I had completely misread the altitude of the
camera, thinking it was lower, so that I thought that the buildings which turn out to be
on 42nd St. were several blocks south, about 37th. That would have put the library on
the other side where it could not be seen. Consequently I hadn't looked that far up on
Google Earth or Google Maps to see what the (correct) buildings looked like. Also, in
the image with the red X, it looked to my eye that the X was on the roof of a building,
not at ground level. When you told me I was several blocks off I was forced to go
farther uptown, and when I saw the shape of the library it was unmistakeable, that I
had mistranslated the 2D image of it into something very unlibrarylike. Going back to
the clearer image, I could then see how my eye had tricked me. The building at the
right of the photo was beyond doubt 500 5th Ave., across 42nd St. from the library.
That forced the realization that Hine's camera was a lot farther off the ground than I
had thought. It's okay to use an assumption as a working hypothesis, just don't get
married to it! Peter Norton
*****
The direction of the camera was the most challenging part of the quiz for me. I have
rushed past the NY Public Library on many occasions when running for a train at Penn
Station (not being able to hail a cab) after a client meeting in NYC. This was a fun
quiz with many good memories. Jocelyn Thayer
*****
I'm surprised that people had a hard time with this weeks quiz. Since you sent me the
email referring to the TinEye web site, I thought I would try it out. I uploaded the two
images to TinEye which came back with several hits for the first picture and a couple
hits for the second. I had already suspected that the first image showed the Empire
State Building being constructed and that the building in the background was the
Chrysler Building. The first question was easily answered by googling Empire State
Building construction. As for the second question, I determined that The Chrysler
Building is northeast of the Empire State Building using Google Maps and Google Earth.
The last question was a little harder, but not too much so. Since I didn't know in what
direction the camera was pointed from the point of view of the Empire State Building, I
googled "Empire State Building panorama" and found what I thought to be the two
buildings behind the building with the X beside it from the panorama view provided on
the gigapan.org web site. The panorama also included enough of the roof of the
building with the X beside it to confirm that I had found the right location. With the
relative location of the building in question to the Empire State Building, it was a simple
matter using Google Maps and Google Earth to find that the building beside the X was
the New York Public Library. I wasn't sure that this was the answer you wanted, but
since there didn't seem to be anything else constructed at the exact location of the X in
your photo, I assumed that the 5th Avenue entrance to the library was the only logical
answer.
Looking forward to next weeks quiz. Dan Jolley
*****
Maps are my thing so I had to come out of retirement for this one. Unsolicited
Advertisement...Google Earth is good for much more that solving Forensic Genealogy
quizzes. I have used it to plan hikes up trails in the Teton's, View geo-tagged photos on
the western islands of Scotland and to retrace my path to figure out how far (or short)
a run was. Very useful. Zach Chambers
 |  |  |  |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
 |  |  |  |
| Answers: 1. 1930-1931, when the Empire State Building was under construction. 2. Northeast. Bonus: The main branch of the New York Public Library on the southwest corner of W 42nd St. and 5th Avenue. |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz #226 Results |
To solve the puzzle the old fashioned way, you should compare the skyline you can see
in the distance with photographs of the skyline as seen from the Empire State Building.
Note that the view of the buildings in the picture is straight on, and not at an angle.
Note too that the river is not in sight, so that the view cannot be to the east or the west.
It's probably not to the south either since there are too many tall buildings in the
foreground. (To use Google Earth, see "How Brian Solved the Puzzle", above.)
in the distance with photographs of the skyline as seen from the Empire State Building.
Note that the view of the buildings in the picture is straight on, and not at an angle.
Note too that the river is not in sight, so that the view cannot be to the east or the west.
It's probably not to the south either since there are too many tall buildings in the
foreground. (To use Google Earth, see "How Brian Solved the Puzzle", above.)
| View Northeast at Night static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1538262.jpg |
The only place along the line of sight that matches is the New York Public Library.
This map shows the location as seen on Google Maps. Note that the 3-D structure of
the buildings matches those in the pictures.
This map shows the location as seen on Google Maps. Note that the 3-D structure of
the buildings matches those in the pictures.
Yes, you can use TinEye at www.tineye.com for Questions #1 and #2. (If you don't
know what this is, see www.forensicgenealogy.info/contest_225_results.html.) You
will find the first image that matches can be found on
www.geh.org/fm/lwhprints/htmlsrc2/m197701620045_ful.html#topofimage, in a
collection of photos by Lewis Hine of the construction of the Empire State Building the
website of the George Eastman House, ironically housed at the New York Public
Library. (See below.)
Hine, Lewis W.
American (1874-1940)
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Old-time steel worker on Empire State building
SERIES TITLE: "Empire State" (Mooring Mast) series
ca. 1931, gelatin silver print, 11.9 x 16.9 cm, Gift of the Photo League, New York:
ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine.
INSCRIPTION: verso-(rubberstamp) "Lewis W. Hine Interpretive Photography
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York"
know what this is, see www.forensicgenealogy.info/contest_225_results.html.) You
will find the first image that matches can be found on
www.geh.org/fm/lwhprints/htmlsrc2/m197701620045_ful.html#topofimage, in a
collection of photos by Lewis Hine of the construction of the Empire State Building the
website of the George Eastman House, ironically housed at the New York Public
Library. (See below.)
Hine, Lewis W.
American (1874-1940)
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Old-time steel worker on Empire State building
SERIES TITLE: "Empire State" (Mooring Mast) series
ca. 1931, gelatin silver print, 11.9 x 16.9 cm, Gift of the Photo League, New York:
ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine.
INSCRIPTION: verso-(rubberstamp) "Lewis W. Hine Interpretive Photography
Hastings-on-Hudson, New York"
| The New York Public Library http://www.nypl.org/ |
| Clues: Open space to the left, building is low and flat. |
Close up of view to the south compared to the view in the picture. Note that the
photographer was looking straight at the buildings across the way, so that his line of
sight was parallel to the streets running roughly north-south in Manhattan. So you
want to look at the center part of the panorama to find buildings whose shape matches
the shape of those in the picture.
photographer was looking straight at the buildings across the way, so that his line of
sight was parallel to the streets running roughly north-south in Manhattan. So you
want to look at the center part of the panorama to find buildings whose shape matches
the shape of those in the picture.
| ********** |
| Empire View West static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1512496.jpg |
| View towards Downtown Manhattan static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1674062.jpg |
| ==> The construction worker must be working on the Empire State Building, so the year must be 1930-1931. |
| The Bonus Picture (Solved the Old Fashioned Way) |
| The structures must be along the line of sight from the top of the Empire State Building.. |
| ********** |
| Answer to Quiz #226 September 27, 2009 |
| ********** |
| Zoomed in, you can see the shape of the buildings a little better. |
| Congratulations to Our Winners! Mr. Rick and his new Quizmaster Fred! Go team! Brian Kemp Zach Chambers Gerald Vanlandingham Daniel E. Jolley Gary Sterne Carl Blessing Brett Payne JoLynn Pfeiffer Karen Kay Bunting Sharon Martin Michael G. Adan Stan Read Diane Burkett Robert W. Steinmann Jr. Milene Rawlinson Don Draper John Sims Marilyn Hamill Carolyn Cornelius Blair Chambers Peter Norton Dave Doucette Jocelyn Thayer Mike Dalton Joe Walden Lydia Sittman Debbie Johnson Carolyn Cornelius Kathy Henderson Judy Pfaff Christine Bates |
| Confirm with Google Street View. |
| Empire View East static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1538329.jpg |
| View to the south does not match. http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1513606.jpg |
| 1. What year was this taken? 2. What direction was the camera facing? |
| Thanks to long time Quizmaster Jim Kiser for suggesting this quiz. |
| Bonus: What is located today at the location marked with the X? (Assume the same construction project. Click on thumbnail to see larger version.) |
| Lots of Clues in the Picture |
| The Chrysler Building Manhattan http://upload.wikimedia. org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Chrysler_Building_from_ESB.JPG |
| ==> The view has to be that of New York City. |
| The worker is looking down on the Chrysler Building. The view of the Chrysler Building is from the southeast. |
| ==> The structure he is working on has to be taller. His new building is also nearby and to the southeast of the Chrysler Building. |
| http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/1130/gennycoq3.png Relative size of skyscrapers in NY. The only skyscraper taller than the Chrysler Building on this list is the Empire State Building. But could it be that the Twin Towers have been excluded from the list because they have been destroyed? |
| Location of the Chrysler Building (green) The Empire State Building (blue) The World Trade Center (purple) |
| View to the north is more promising. http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1513606.jpg |
| Once I figured out the pictures were from the Empire State Building (which was not that difficult since the Chrysler Building was in the background and is one of my favorite buildings) I simply went into Google Earth and found the orientation of the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building to figure out the orientation of |
| How Brian Solved the Puzzle |
| Comments from Our Readers |
| Some of the many images that Lewis Hine made during the construction of the Empire State Building were taken when he was swung out in a specially designed basket 1,000 feet above Fifth Avenue. Even though Hine made thousands of outstanding photographs during his career, he had difficulty finding steady employment and died in poverty at age 66. Stan Read |
| Interesting Note about the Photographer Lewis Hine submitted by Stan Read |
| the camera. On the second picture, I did a Google Image search of Empire State Building Construction, found the image at: http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/art/photo/hinex/empire/edge.html (actually it was linked through another site) and it also indicated the orientation was looking to the north. Once again I used Goodle Earth, easily found the tall 500 5th Avenue building and was able to identify the New York Public Library on the near side of that building. Brian Kemp |
| For Further Reading The complete collection of Lewis Hine's photographs of the construction of the Empire State Building digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult... Shreve, Lamb and Harman Architects of the Empire State Building en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_and_Harmon |
| Lunch atop a Skyscraper (New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam) is a famous photograph taken in 1932 by Charles C. Ebbets during construction of the RCA Building (renamed as the GE Building in 1986) at Rockefeller Center. The photograph depicts 11 men eating lunch, seated on a girder with their feet dangling hundreds of feet above the New York City streets. Ebbets took the photo on September 29, 1932, and it appeared in the New York Herald Tribune in its Sunday photo supplement on October 2. Taken on the 69th floor of the GE Building during the last several months of construction, the photograph Men Asleep on a Girder shows the same workers napping on the beam. The copyright owner of the photograph, the Bettman Archive, did not recognize Charles C. Ebbets as the photographer until October 2003 (reportedly after months of investigation by a private investigation firm). However, authorship of the photograph, popular as a poster, was listed as 'Unknown' on many prints. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunchtime_atop_a_Skyscraper |
| Back of Photo |
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| ********** |