ABSTRACT
The history of skyscraper development, while mainly a story of success and innovation, is also sprinkled with the occasional tale of demolition or destruction. In the early years, high rises were built to serve a certain need, only to be demolished some years later. Why go to the trouble and expense of building a skyscraper, only to tear it down? This practice is not a common one today; but years ago, as new building techniques evolved and the need for more office and living space increased, skyscrapers were torn down to make room for larger buildings, or to make room for another construction project. There have also been a few true skyscraper disasters. These events, while horrendous, hold lessons about the physics of skyscrapers under extreme stress.
