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Skyscrapers
摩天大楼
Skyscrapers were invented in the United States.
摩天大楼最终诞生于美国。
As early as the 1880s, two new technical developments made these taller buildings possible.
早在19世纪80年代，两项新技术的发展使得这些高楼成为可能。
One development was the mechanical elevator.
第一项是机械电梯，
It meant that people would not have to climb many steps to reach the upper floors of tall buildings.
这意味着人们不用爬很多级楼梯才能到达高层建筑的较高楼层。
The development of steel building technology also helped make taller buildings possible.
钢铁建筑技术的发展也促使了更高层建筑的诞生。
Many experts consider the Home Insurance Building in Chicago to be the first skyscraper.
许多专家认为芝加哥的家庭保险大楼是第一座摩天大楼。
This tower was about 55 meters tall.
它高55米，
Today this would not be considered much of a skyscraper.
这个高度在现在并不算是摩天大楼，
But at the time, this height was striking.
但在当时已经很惊人了。
The structure was built using a steel frame.
整个建筑使用钢铁框架建造，
This frame was load-bearing,meaning that the steel skeleton would support the building's weight, not its walls.
这个框架是承重的，意味着钢架要支撑这栋楼的重量，而不是墙。
Before this technology, a taller building required creating thicker stone walls to support its weight.
在这项技术之前，高楼要求用更厚的石头来建墙。
Thick walls are extremely heavy,and allow less room for windows and light.
厚墙非常笨重，留给窗户和光线的空间很少。
