Chrysler Building: How William Van Alen Hid a 185-Foot Steel Crown Inside the Tower — and Raised It in 90 Minutes to Steal the Sky

In 1929, architect William Van Alen secretly assembled a 185-foot stainless steel spire inside the Chrysler Building's dome — then hoisted it through the roof in just 90 minutes, snatching the world's tallest building title from his unsuspecting rival.

A daily 1-minute video series uncovering how the world's most iconic structures were built — from ancient wonders to modern skyscrapers.