How High Can We Build?

Summary

The script explores the history of human-built structures, from the ancient pyramids of Giza to the modern Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It delves into the concept of 'tallest' structures, distinguishing between buildings and towers, and highlights the significance of the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and radio masts. The script also touches on the potential of a 'Space Elevator,' discussing the technological and logistical challenges and its potential impact on space travel costs.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Great Pyramids of Giza were the tallest human-made structures for nearly 4,000 years, standing at 147 meters tall.
• 🏰 The Lincoln Cathedral in England was the first building to surpass the height of the pyramids in the 1300s.
• 🗼 The Eiffel Tower held the record for the tallest man-made structure for about 40 years until it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building and then the Empire State Building.
• 🌆 The Empire State Building was the first structure from which one could jump and reach terminal velocity before hitting the ground.
• 📡 In the mid-1950s, radio and TV towers began to surpass the heights of buildings, leading to structures like the Warsaw radio mast holding the tallest record for a time.
• 🗼 The Warsaw radio mast in Poland was the tallest structure until it collapsed in 1991 due to a mistake in exchanging guy-wires.
• 📺 After the collapse of the Warsaw radio mast, the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota became the tallest standing structure.
• 🌆 The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is currently the tallest structure humans have built, where one can watch the sunset twice by ascending to the top.
• 🕌 The height of the Burj Khalifa led to a unique ruling by the Dubai Islamic Affairs department regarding the timing of fasting during Ramadan.
• 🌅 With the right conditions, one can witness two sunrises or sunsets in a day by simply changing their viewing height, such as from lying down to standing.
• 🚀 The concept of a 'Space Elevator' could theoretically extend over 35,000 km into space, but currently, no known materials are strong enough to build one.

Q & A

What was the height of the tallest pyramid of Giza when it was built?

The tallest pyramid of Giza was 147 meters tall when it was built.

How long did it take for humans to build something taller than the Great Pyramids of Giza?

It took nearly 4,000 years for humans to build something taller than the Great Pyramids of Giza, which was a cathedral in England in the 1300s.

What is the technical definition of a building according to the script?

A building is technically defined as a structure where at least 50% of its height comes from floor plates that are habitable for people to live, work, or relax in.

What was the first man-made structure to surpass the height of the Great Pyramids of Giza?

The Lincoln Cathedral in England was the first man-made structure to surpass the height of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

What is special about the height of the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building was the first structure so tall that a person jumping off the top would reach terminal velocity before hitting the bottom, rather than continuing to accelerate.

Why did the shift to building radio and TV towers change the record for the tallest structures?

The shift to building radio and TV towers changed the record for the tallest structures because these towers could be much taller than the previously built habitable buildings, as they did not require the same structural support for habitation.

What was the tallest structure built by humans before the Burj Khalifa?

Before the Burj Khalifa, the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota was the tallest structure built by humans.

What is unique about watching the sunset from the Burj Khalifa?

The unique aspect of watching the sunset from the Burj Khalifa is that due to its height, you can watch the sunset from the base of the building and then take an elevator to the top to watch the sunset again.

Why did the Dubai Islamic Affairs department have to make a ruling about fasting during Ramadan in the Burj Khalifa?

The Dubai Islamic Affairs department had to make a ruling because the difference in timing between sunset at the base and the top of the Burj Khalifa is significant enough that people above floor 80 or higher would see the sunset 2-3 minutes after those at the base.

What is a 'Space Elevator' and how does it differ from traditional tall structures?

A 'Space Elevator' is a theoretical structure that extends from the Earth's surface into space, potentially reaching a geostationary orbit. It differs from traditional tall structures as it would be held stable by tension due to the centrifugal force at such altitudes, rather than just supporting its own weight against gravity.

What is the potential cost advantage of a space elevator for sending material into orbit compared to current methods?

With a space elevator, the cost of sending a pound of material into orbit could be reduced from approximately $11,000 to about $100, providing a significant cost advantage.