How High Can We Build? In the captivating YouTube video "How High Can We Build?" presented by Michael Stevens from Vsauce, the exploration of human construction reaches both impressive and mind-boggling heights. The video takes you on a journey through the history of the tallest structures humanity has built, from the Great Pyramids of Giza to modern marvels like the Burj Khalifa, probing not only their heights but the very concept of "building."
Journey Through Architectural Heights
Stevens begins with the Great Pyramid of Giza, which, at 147 meters, held the record as the tallest man-made structure for nearly 4,000 years. It was only after the construction of Lincoln Cathedral in the 1300s that another structure breached this height milestone. This leads to an exploration of what constitutes a building—specifically, a structure designed for human habitation, distinguishing it from towers that might reach higher but don't serve the same purpose. As the video progresses, we see a timeline unfold: the Eiffel Tower took the crown in the late 19th century, only for architectural feats like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building to challenge that record. Notably, the Empire State Building was the first tall structure where falling from the top would lead you to reach terminal velocity before hitting the ground—an astonishing fact that underscores the sheer heights achieved in human architecture.
The Role of Technology in Tall Structures
Stevens highlights a pivotal shift in construction with the emergence of radio and TV towers in the mid-20th century. These towers could surpass the heights of traditional buildings, leading to structures like the KVLY-TV mast, which was the tallest standing structure following the collapse of Warsaw's radio mast, a sobering reminder of the limits and challenges of building tall.
The Spectacle of the Burj Khalifa
Fast forward to modern times, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai now holds the record for the tallest building on the planet. Stevens uses this iconic skyscraper to illustrate incredible design features, such as watching the sunset from both the base and the top—effectively experiencing two sunsets. The Burj Khalifa not only represents architectural achievement but also challenges the way we perceive time and light relative to height.
What Lies Ahead—Space Elevators
Venturing beyond terrestrial structures, Stevens introduces the concept of a "Space Elevator." This theoretically vast structure could extend over 35,000 km, tall enough to reach geostationary orbit. He discusses the engineering challenges that such a feat would impose, including the materials needed for construction. The potential economic impact is enormous; a space elevator could drastically reduce the cost of sending materials into orbit—a speculative yet intriguing vision of future engineering.
Conclusion
The video's narrative crescendos with a call to consider the incredible achievements of human ingenuity in not just building higher, but in rethinking what height and structure can mean. Stevens challenges viewers to reflect on the limits of our constructions and encourages imaginative thinking about what is possible in the future. As this thread touches on interesting themes of architecture and human progress, I invite users to share their thoughts or any remarkable structures they've experienced or researched themselves. What do you think the future holds for the heights we can achieve? Could space elevators become a reality in our lifetime? Let's engage in the conversation!
