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Skyscrapers
摩天大樓
Skyscrapers were invented in the United States.
摩天大樓最終誕生于美國。
As early as the 1880s, two new technical developments made these taller buildings possible.
早在19世紀80年代，兩項新技術的發展使得這些高樓成為可能。
One development was the mechanical elevator.
第一項是機械電梯，
It meant that people would not have to climb many steps to reach the upper floors of tall buildings.
這意味著人們不用爬很多級樓梯才能到達高層建筑的較高樓層。
The development of steel building technology also helped make taller buildings possible.
鋼鐵建筑技術的發展也促使了更高層建筑的誕生。
Many experts consider the Home Insurance Building in Chicago to be the first skyscraper.
許多專家認為芝加哥的家庭保險大樓是第一座摩天大樓。
This tower was about 55 meters tall.
它高55米，
Today this would not be considered much of a skyscraper.
這個高度在現在并不算是摩天大樓，
But at the time, this height was striking.
但在當時已經很驚人了。
The structure was built using a steel frame.
整個建筑使用鋼鐵框架建造，
This frame was load-bearing,meaning that the steel skeleton would support the building's weight, not its walls.
這個框架是承重的，意味著鋼架要支撐這棟樓的重量，而不是墻。
Before this technology, a taller building required creating thicker stone walls to support its weight.
在這項技術之前，高樓要求用更厚的石頭來建墻。
Thick walls are extremely heavy,and allow less room for windows and light.
厚墻非常笨重，留給窗戶和光線的空間很少。
