Early Modern Era - Innovations in Science and Technology

Introduction

During the early modern era, we saw some great innovations in science and technology. According to, “Great 20th Century Invention Timeline 1900 to 1949”, this time is known as, “the beginning of a century of innovation.” So many things were invented during this time, there is no way to list them all. Something that was affected by the innovations of science and technology during this time was architecture. In this blog, I will be displaying three pieces of architecture from the early modern era that highlight the innovations of science and technology. 

Chrysler Building

Photo from chryslerbuilding.com

The first famous piece of architecture that we will be taking a look at is the Chrysler Building, which if you have seen Spiderman, you may be familiar with it. According to the Chrysler Building’s website, “The story of the Chrysler Building began in 1928, when automotive titan Walter P. Chrysler, founder of Chrysler Corporation, bought the property from Coney Island developer William H. Reynolds for $2 million. Chrysler hired architect William Van Alen, who had previously designed a skyscraper for Reynolds on the site, to create the world’s tallest tower. Construction on Chrysler’s project began in 1929 and was completed in 1930” (History: Chrysler Building). The Chrysler Building was known to be the tallest building in the world until 1931 and is located in New York. This era's advances in science and technology must have played a part in designing and building a building of this size and detail. 

The Hoover Dam

Photo from hoover.archives.gov

The next amazing piece of architecture that we will dive into is The Hoover Dam located on the Nevada-Arizona border. The Hoover Dam is an incredible work of architecture and certainly displays this era's innovations in science and technology. According to the Hoover Dam’s website, “Appropriations were approved and construction began in 1930. The dam was dedicated in 1935 and the hydroelectric generators went online in 1937. Hoover Dam was built for a cost of $49 million (approximately $760 million adjusted for inflation). The power plant and generators cost an additional $71 million. The sale of electrical power generated by the dam paid back its construction cost, with interest, by 1987” (The Hoover Dam). The Hoover Dam has been incredible, it controls the Colorado River flooding, provides water to land and people, and it also provides energy. (The Hoover Dam) This was certainly not an easy design, and it serves many great purposes which make this piece of architecture even more impressive. 

Einstein Tower

Photo from archdaily.com

Last but not least, we will be reviewing the Einstein Tower, located in Potsdam, Germany. According to Arch Daily, “The Einstein Tower, designed by the German architect Erich Mendelsohn, is one of the best-known examples of German expressionist architecture. Designed as an amorphic structure of reinforced concrete, Mendelsohn wanted the tower to represent as well as facilitate the study of  Einstein’s radical theory of relativity – a groundbreaking theorem of motion, light and space” (Merin, Gili). This is an interesting piece of architecture that was built in 1921. The design is very different from anything else we have viewed, and it is an observatory. The use of reinforced concrete is incredible during this time, surely this tower is able to withstand anything nature may throw at it. 

Art Elements

The art elements seen in all three of these pieces of architecture are line, space, and three-dimensional form. We see lines used greatly in the Chrysler Building, it has line work seen throughout the building, as it towers over New York. The Hover Dam is also very large, showing its three-dimensional form and line work throughout. The way the Hoover Dam was designed is incredible and the architects had to have paid a lot of attention to detail in perfecting this work. The Einstein Tower also showcases line work throughout, especially around the windows and entrances. Notice all the details in the Einstein Tower, everything has a curve to it.

Discussion

All three of these pieces are very different to analyze. The Chrysler Building as a giant tower, the Hoover Dam as a large dam, and the funny-looking Einstein Tower. I enjoy each of these pieces in their own way and they all follow the theme of innovations in science and technology from the early modern era.   

Works Cited

Bellis, Mary. “Great 20th Century Inventions from 1900 to 1949.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 29 May 2024, www.thoughtco.com/20th-century-timeline-1992486#:~:text=The%20Zeppelin%20was%20invented%20by,Owens.

“History: Chrysler-Building.” Chrysler, chryslerbuilding.com/history/#:~:text=Chrysler%20hired%20architect%20William%20Van,and%20was%20completed%20in%201930. Accessed 22 July 2024.

“The Hoover Dam.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, hoover.archives.gov/hoover-dam. Accessed 22 July 2024.

Merin, Gili. “Ad Classics: The Einstein Tower / Erich Mendelsohn.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 14 July 2013, www.archdaily.com/402033/ad-classics-the-einstein-tower-erich-mendelsohn.