In the early 20th century, New York City’s skyscrapers were built by workers who had almost no safety equipment at all. Photographs from the time show men balancing on narrow beams hundreds of feet in the air, often without harnesses, helmets, or even railings. Despite the obvious danger, this fearless workforce helped shape the famous skyline that defines New York today. | History In Pictures

Restored footage from 1903 of a view of the New York City skyline from a moving boat on the Hudson River (North River). This footage was taken on May 10th, 1903 by camera operator James Blair Smith on behalf of Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated. You can see various famous New York buildings and early skyscrapers such as the American Surety Building, Trinity Church, and the Bowling Green Building. This was before many of the most famous skyscrapers of New York were built such as the Empire State Bui