Stunning footage of the construction of New York's Empire State Building in color (opened in 1931)

Please try to be original and avoid comments like "When men were men", "No fat, obese person in sight", "OSHA will get a shock", "No women on the construction site" and race related comments. Without exaggeration, such comments have now been made thousands of times under this video . Kindly focus on the contents of this video and make an attempt to go back in time in your mind to better understand what New York really was like in the 1930s. Thanks!!

Built in a year, during a depression. Designed without computers. We can't even fill a pothole in a year today. Hats off to these guys. Edit - Why the hell is there a flat earth argument going on in the comments? Grow up and read a book.

Those whom built that building were fearless - no hard hats, no safety harnesses, just crazy. And they built one of the most iconic structures in the world that stands strong to this day.

For me, the fact that they began and finished this in 13 months, is the most mind blowing aspect of the entire thing.

My grandfather was a foreman for us steel. He was part of the crew that laid down the foundation. His name was Michael Bortugno

As a structural engineer I can only express my deepest respect to all the men involved in this epic project.

Not only was the pace remarkable, but simply project managing this scale of a build without computers is wild. Analogue logistics at its finest.

My grandfather was a steel worker on the construction of this great American building. We often would go to the rainbow room and relive his time working on the building. He was very proud of the hard work and teamwork of this great accomplishment.

Those men, largely forgotten by history, are some of the most amazing humans ever to have walked this planet. Simply awesome.

What I find the most fascinating about this old film and also the ones filmed in city streets, are that you are looking at people that have been dead for 60 or 70 years. But now there they are alive once more in their youth in some cases, going about their lives, whether it be working, or just walking about their city streets. You get a glimpse at those who lived before us.

I can’t believe only 5 people died building this masterpiece? Everyone working was completely locked into their job, as if there life depended on it and it did! Most of these men were bringing the only income into the home, for food and clothing. This was the beginning of the Great Depression, nobody had a job. These men must’ve felt truly blessed and thankful.

These men had balls of steel

My Grandfather worked on the Empire State Building. He was a plasterer. He finished up the insides after the builders got done. He worked on many buildings in NYC during those times.

Respect From a retired Engineer these guys are the real deal. No hard hats .no high viz jackets .. just a Trilby. coveralls and hard graft

I got into the Iron Workers in 1977 and served a 3 year apprenticeship. I worked on bridges, power plants miscellaneous structural buildings and a few tower's When i started you were expected to ride the iron when connecting. Also it was common practice to ride the ball to get on and off the iron. It was very hard work but paid very well. I was very lucky to never get seriously injured in 32 years as a Union Iron worker! As time went on more and more safety measures were implemented. Now if you got caught with out being 100% tied off or riding the iron it would be automatic termination of your job! My hat is off to these old time Iron Workers who did there jobs in very tough & dangerous conditions!

When it comes to delivering the steel for that building, remember one thing.... There was no massive open field across the street that they could lay all of the steel so they could work from. All of the deliveries had to be choreographed with the Bethlehem Steel plant so each beam had to be delivered on the day and time needed. Barry G. Kery, Retired Bethlehem Steel worker.

This was nearly 100 years ago. I marvel at the ingenuity these ppl had even back then. The careful considerations and math needed are astounding. We look back at this era and think antiquated and primitive compared to today's technology. But as far as structural engineering, the craftmanship and workmanship is superb and stands the test of time.

I am proud to be a 4th generation Dockbuilder / Timberman journeyman with local union 1556 NYC , my family has been a part of every single major project in NYC since late 1800s until today. From the Chrysler building to twin towers then world trade and any bridge or tunnel. Both my son and my nephew will be apprenticing very soon making it 5 gens. These men are the backbone of this country , we risk out lives everyday so the people of NYC and anyone else the ability to travel safely and fast , love or work and the best built skyscrapers in the world. Technology is great , but it's useless without the people who can use it. God bless them all.

What strikes me is how skilled these men were. They knew their trade. We should never underestimate labour. Thanks for bringing this to us.

I didn’t realize they built this in only a year?!? And in 1930 no less. I’m gobsmacked. No matter how big the army of men was that built it, that’s astounding. So much iron to lift and rivet together in the course of only a year, nevermind 4-5 months or cold New York winter to deal with. Wow, just wow.