History Summarized: Chicago's Tribune Tower

[@OverlySarcasticProductions]

they did my triumphal arch boy dirty 😔 -R

[@thealchemist8514]

I lived next to that yellow monstrosity for years, thank you for informing the internet of its dreaded existence.

[@morbiusv5857]

Could you do a Stadium for next time?

[@LWviews]

Are you guys still making pins? I looked at your shop and none of them are there it's just three mugs and a t-shirt I just wasn't sure if you guys were out of stock or you weren't making them at all anymore

[@scarletkingdom2359]

Please cover nubia

[@Tsuruchi_420]

Mr. Bluesky guy oficially made a soviet joke on an architecture video, so now i get to ask if we're ever seeing a video about soviet city planing (with acctual historical sources ofc, unlike every other video about this kind of stuff

[@matthewcrenshaw960]

As an Ironworker in Chicago, I love spending my lunch at the edge of the newest concrete floor and looking at the buildings in our skyline. The Tribune is absolutely beautiful and you feel like you'll spot something new every time you lay eyes upon it.

[@carlosroo5460]

Oh, so that isn't just a stereotype perpetuated by 20th century cartoons? Is actually a real thing? Cool.

[@crabeatcrab6011]

I love iron working 😁

[@TheZebugz]

That's a really cool thing to think about

[@PeppySweetheart]

Thats so cool!

[@monsterfanatic5344]

I respect the fuck out of people like you, it takes somebody with a HELL OF A LOT of guts to work on hundred foot tall structures made of solid concrete and steel

[@jetshot2218]

For anyone wondering, the cow they blamed for the Great Chicago Fire was posthumously exonerated in 1997

[@chris7263]

I'm glad that her family can finally have closure about this painful injustice.

[@nickdeltufo3857]

“And there was much rejoice.” *Indifferent mooing*

[@belindaluna2067]

Wasn't it speculated that the whole O'Leary's cow thing was one of the many ways people of that era were talking shit about the Irish?

[@belindaluna2067]

@@soccerandtrack10 The Drumpfs did immigrate to the country around that time....

[@TheActualMrLink]

@@belindaluna2067yep, it was 100% prejudice against Irish immigrants.

[@minomann9216]

"Architecture isn't about why, it's about why not!" - Cave Johnson, CEO of Aperture Architecture

[@jamesharding3459]

If you listen closely, you can hear the tortured screaming of a million civil and construction engineers every time an architect has a great idea.

[@mikearndt8210]

my guy made a lemon-related skyscraper

[@Shatterverse]

Okay I'll admit it. "bitterly swallowing their pride that NY was actually right about something," is the truest sentence that's ever been said of all time.

[@ggez5890]

New York graciously said "thank you"..... NYC; however, crack it's knuckles and said "hold my coke"

[@60sspider-man29]

@@ggez5890 Texas be like: "you mean cocai-"

[@Creature_of_Knight]

As someone who did civil engineering in college, we had a lot of jokes about how architects were often an engineers worst nightmare. However, it's stuff like this that really makes me appreciate the value of beauty and design in the structures that we live around and work in every day. A fantastic video as always Blue 💙

[@spacecat8511]

My dad’s a civil engineer and…yeah. He ranted about architects *a lot* when I was a kid, particularly when he was a junior vs senior engineer

[@5minutesofyourtime]

Yes as an engineer I agree however I have also seem how when engineers just design for practical we end up with the architectural dark ages of the 1970s again

[@spacecat8511]

@@5minutesofyourtime True that. 🤣

[@StrikaAmaru]

So that's why TheRealEngineer constantly dunks on architects!

[@jamesharding3459]

@@5minutesofyourtime The architects I've worked with have sometimes joked that I'd have fit in perfectly in the USSR, because all I want to design are concrete slabs. Commie blocks _just work,_ OK?

[@Nasser851000]

Tribune Tower sounds like another dark fantasy series :)

[@ladeao1552]

...is there a roman dark fantasy series?

[@randombrit4504]

@@ladeao1552 Yeah, it's called The 3rd Century.

[@timothymclean]

A bit less so if your first thought when you hear "Tribune" is "that newspaper that used to be delivered to my parents' house".

[@taylor_green_9]

@@ladeao1552 I know of a Roman-inspired dark fantasy romance series. It is The Saviour series, by Jenna Moreci. I haven't read it, but I can tell you Jenna has a lot of knowledge of the writing craft, a healthy dose of common sense, and a great sense of humour (I follow her KZbin channel)

[@choosecarefully408]

Well, the lobby contains quotes about the virtues of honest journalism, so it already has a heavy fantasy element to it... Hey: it said *_nothing_* about going after low-hanging fruit.

[@raventreye2326]

I unironically love when it's obvious that Blue just found something really cool and decided to share it with the world, you can tell that he's just excited to be here

[@Herodude60]

I'm really glad you mentioned Eliel Saarinen and his proposal for the Tribune Tower! He is IMO the best Finnish architect. His designs are so gorgeous and visionary. I'm still a bit sad that his plan to expand Helsinki with Parisian style boulevards wasn't realized...

[@xx99Username99xx]

I really liked the American Radiator Building he mentioned taking inspiration from the Saarinen proposal. I'm surprised I'd never seen that before. It's so regal.

[@zeeb.1763]

He also built the Cranbrook School and Art Museum in Michigan in his glorious art deco style, and it was where I had the priveledge to attend high school. After all these years I still find new things in the architecture there...

[@dragonlordjonerc]

I really appreciate you branching out and discussing works in America. It's nice to have architecture marveled at that isn't located in Italy.

[@Beryllahawk]

Have to admit I wouldn't mind hearing about some of the ones in, oh say, Germany, heh But I suspect there is a high risk of Castle Syndrome when going north of the Pyrenees >.>

[@spacecat8511]

While I appreciate seeing American architecture that isn’t soulless blocks of rectangular concrete for a change, I’m also not gonna fault the guy who graduated with his degree in classics history for wanting to hyperfixate on italian (and greek) architecture to blow off steam in between researching surveys of history videos 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@allym2787]

Lived in Chicago for nearly a decade, and I really adore the architecture there. If you ever get a chance, the river boat architecture tour is so worth it. I also get a kick out of how protective Chicagoans are over their skyline. Supposedly a planned building had to be scrapped because everyone pulled out of the project once the building design was revealed. It was apparently so ugly that no one wanted it added to the skyline. They also refuse to acknowledge when buildings get renamed. The Sears Tower is a hill every Chicagoan I've ever met will happily die on.

[@mellophonesheikah6223]

Ive lived in the suburbs for about a month, one day id like to live in the actual city but i just dont have the money rn. It feels like everywhere i look when i go downtown theres another reason to fall in love. Not only that but i came from Cleveland Ohio, not a city with much to be proud of, so i find Chicagoans loyalty and love of their city enviable

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

“Alright, so our plan is to construct a typical office building. Maybe a few dozen stories tall. What do you think?” Roger McCormick: “I want…a tower that Saruman would stand on top of and yell at people from.” And are we…not gonna talk about how the French submission looks? It’s like that one episode of How I Met Your Mother.

[@MariaVosa]

Barney's ancestor desgned it, obviously

[@TikoVerhelst]

How are YOU here THIS EARLY! Actually...., long time no seen. Glad to meet you again in a comment section. ;)

[@turtlelord8021]

Roger McCormick after the construction: WORMS! ALL OF THEM!

[@daanwilmer]

"Saruman… I do not know who that is, but it's a very awe-inspiring name. Maybe I shall use it in a book!"

[@oscarisbestboi8118]

As a Chicagoland native, this was an awesome video on my favorite building in the city! Love your energy, and great work!

[@nikoclesceri2267]

My condolences, sucks you have to live in Chicago. Concrete jungle and all

[@kathyjohnson2043]

@@nikoclesceri2267 i don't live in Chicago but I argue that if any city is a concrete jungle, it is not Chicago. Except for the loop, the city includes large open grass areas and large bodies of water. Even the loop features varied architectural materials and forms. I'm not trying to be argumentive, but I agree with Blue that Chicago has some of the most beautiful architecture and environment of any city.

[@nikoclesceri2267]

@@kathyjohnson2043 I've been to Chicago many times, while it does have "green" spaces and water, besides the river, it's all fake and artificial. Just a point of preference really, I prefer the natural woodlands to anything in the cities.

[@melowlw8638]

haha chicagoland

[@Schwa_Iska]

@@melowlw8638 That's just what we call the Chicago metropolitan area. Kinda weird I suppose, but it flows off the tongue well enough.

[@AFreakingAxeCH]

Not gonna lie, at this point a series about history of/and buildings would be something nice. Love these architecture vids

[@TheRoseFrontier]

yessss! I second this. Blue talking about architecture makes me, someone not previously into architecture, get excited about architecture lol XD. Would love to see more. It also makes for a nice little slice of insight into the times surrounding the building, I think

[@ChesireWaltz]

I would love a series but part of me wonders if it would lose a little something to make it a responsibility to Blue rather than something he can spontaneously surprise us with when something tugs at his mind you know?

[@ocelatingocelots]

As a practicing architect who dabbles in both writing and visual arts on the side, this opener is everything.

[@Tarnthewarrior]

1:40 keep in mind if a building says it's fireproof and it was built somewhere in the 1800's it has a high possibility it's a very flammable

[@Bird_Dog00]

You don't even need it to be that flammable. Steel is particulary iffy as a structural material compared to - say - timber as it has that stupid habit of losing all its strength when heated to even a rather modest temprature. Heat it to about 350°C and a steel beam has all the rigidity of a wet noodle. A timber beam can be on fire all around but will still hold up for quite some time.

[@PineappleLiar]

That, or it is RIDDLED with asbestos

[@nikoclesceri2267]

Jet fuel can’t melt steal beams, but it sure as hell can make them softer than a noodle

[@Tarnthewarrior]

@@nikoclesceri2267 I feel like you're referencing something my finger on it

[@LurchTheBastard]

@@nikoclesceri2267 You indeed do not need to be molten liquid to lose meaningful structural integrity.

[@_frostiebites_]

Ah yes, blue has blessed us with more architecture videos. Love you guys!

[@ladhkay]

As a Chicago resident I love going by the Tribune Tower and seeing the different rocks embedded in the wall every now and then

[@kennethdukes8944]

this one makes it evident that we need a history makers: architecture edition series asap

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

Like the guy who "accidentally" made a giant death ray building... twice!

[@brycetomecek5065]

Blue finally talking about art deco is a sweet spot for me.

[@SamusSelf-Destruct]

The last time I visited Chicago I spent an afternoon just admiring all the amazing architecture. I remember seeing the Tribune Tower and not knowing what it was until later. It’s truly an awesome amalgam of form and function. Thanks for explaining how it came to be.

[@ghostest1719]

I love the new direction Blue and I hope to see more. As a suburbanite of Chicago, I love walking through the canyons and appreciate the background.

[@mirjanbouma]

Nothing starts the weekend quite like Blue nerding out on architecture. 💙

[@marktawfik9823]

You can really tell that this video was just an excuse for blue to rant about one of his favorite pieces of modern architecture and I love it

[@fandomcake5158]

I've never been more turned on by modern architecture than hearing that this contest produced some of THE MOST AMAZING SHIT that even architects today could only DROOL and dream about.

[@uhuhuhuhuhuh3537]

Honestly, most histories of architecture focus more on the contest than the building itself

[@natmorse-noland9133]

Chicago has some of the best architecture in the US - so glad to see you give it some love. ❤️

[@Beryllahawk]

I had never heard of this place before. Now I want to go there, really, REALLY badly, just to see these things you mention. Holy hell, this IS good!

[@kevinforbesofficial]

If you live in the US, Chicago isn't too expensive to get to. It's part of a train hub where all the east and west coast trains connect so that helps. You can also save by getting a transit pass which will make getting around the city cheaper. One last thing, everyone tells you about the Pizza and the Hot Dogs but nobody tells you about Chicago popcorn. It's good.

[@michaelkaduck1915]

This makes me appreciate architecture for cities far more. Cities do have a lot of issues like crowding and pollution, but they are places where people work, where they contribute, (Like a Newspaper such as the Tribune). And having these beautiful shapes shows their value. Plus, that building appears in Gotham City in Batman: Arkham Knight!

[@foldabotZ]

Oh, I didn't notice. In what part of the map is it located?

[@michaelkaduck1915]

@@foldabotZ On Miagani Island there's a building that looks very similar to it.

[@foldabotZ]

@@michaelkaduck1915 Thanks, I'll be on the look-out for it when I continue the game again.

[@paperwatt]

I had no idea modern buildings got that same kind of thought put into them artistically. This fits right at home with the rest of the series of videos and you wouldnt be able to tell he's talking about a modern building until you think "wait, chicago?"

[@jeremy1860]

With so much emphasis in history being given to events and people, it's nice that there's someone willing to put a spotlight on the buildings 😊

[@DamienZshadow]

The way you speak about architecture is part scholar - part poet and I love your passion!

[@vandread]

0:20 I know you didn't mean it like this, but I want beautiful buildings because they make me feel happy. It's enrichment of environment.

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

All the majesty of a city landscape All the soaring days of our lives All the concrete dreams in my mind's eye All the joy I see thru' these architects eyes!

[@melodyrivas2777]

I didn't think I cared about architecture, but holy hell. This video struck me with a new sense of wonder and appreciation for art. I'll never walk around a city the same.

[@Alverant]

I moved to Chicagoland half a lifetime ago and I remember the first time I got to visit the Tribune Tower. I'm glad you mentioned all the other pieces of other buildings in the side. It's a little bit of history from around the world in that building. Thank you for this video.

[@FuzzyStripetail]

Being on the wrong side of the 17th floor and thus having to navigate around the arch always threw me for a loop and often made me late for work.

[@skeletonlover3214]

Architecture is such a cool thing that I don't let myself marvel at and appreciate enough

[@jinxshadow5218]

Man, I love watching Blue get excited about things. Even if I could not care less at the beginning, his enthusiasm is infectious.

[@TheChaoticAsexual]

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and I remember having a project in middle school where we were all assigned a piece of Chicago architecture to research before we went on a field trip/tour of downtown. I didn't appreciate it as much as I do now, but I'm still glad that they encouraged us to learn about it then!

[@Torgaddon]

Fascinating. I live in Chicago and have several options for getting to my office downtown. I usually opt for the Purple or Brown Line trains because at one point they go over the river, rather than under, and I can enjoy looking at all the beautiful buildings along the riverfront. The Tribune Tower is always a highlight when I can see it. Just magnificent to behold.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

I live only 2 hours on I-94 from Chicago but I never visited (airports don't count). It wasn't til a FREAKING TRANSFORMERS MOVIE that I became aware of the beautiful downtown architecture. A visit is now on my bucket list 👍

[@geofff.3343]

I think the idea of efficiently cramming as much stuff in a given space in a way that is both functional and elegant is inherently a human pursuit. It's why the idea of archologies will not die despite everything saying how they're not needed.

[@Ragnarok-kh5ck]

Very awesome video. I love the traditional history videos, but this is a great, in depth look at something that I otherwise would never have paid any attention to. Fascinating and awesome. Great work.

[@rubyamateurtactician4354]

As someone who isn't the biggest fan of American history, never thought something so close to home could be so interesting

[@Michael-R]

Blue, this is my new favourite video of yours. The pacing, the contextualisation, the analysis, all Absoultely exceptional, bravo!

[@nicodarsh]

Ahhh! I'm so happy you talked about this building! The Tribune Building captured my attention as a little budding historian because I could walk around the building and see those pieces from other monuments placed into the side. I would spend forever circling it and reading each pieces' plaque.

[@jacobtietjen2099]

Local Chicagoan here, I love the architecture of Lakeshore Drive and the older buildings in the city. They feel so very specific to our city, and their pinkish hue is beautiful imo. Love seeing more attention on my local architecture!

[@charlottemanier4997]

my dad used to work at the Tribune before the 2008 crash, I have really good memories of visiting him there as a little kid

[@Imperiused]

I join Blue in shouting this design's praises. What an awesome building!

[@CortexNewsService]

Former Chicago resident. I lived there for 23 years and never got tired of the skyline.

[@bellayeet6728]

As someone who lives in Chicago, I really love this video

[@evilpez]

American city architecture! Blue finally hit my incredibly specific niche! Chicago is severely underrated in how beautiful some of its buildings are. Glad to see the Tribune Tower get some love.

[@kylepeters8690]

I've never been into modern architecture much, even some of the good buildings you showed left me not feeling anything. But the Tribune's top and some of the other more modern buildings in this video were gorgeous ones I had never seen or heard of before. I never thought a skyscraper could look beautiful.

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

I really appreciate how you link further reading in the description box. I'm rabbit hole nerd and I always love diving deeper

[@Broomer52]

NEO GOTHIC! I finally figured out the name of the design I love. It’s practically a modern interpretation of grand Middle Age architecture and I love it. It’s like every building in that style is it’s own castle

[@katmhcharis1236]

*Why do want things to look nice?* Now I’m no mathematician or philosopher but I’ve broken it down into this equation: Functional Building + Pretty Accents + Great Lighting = Happy Brain scratches it’s Dopamine Itch Do with that what you will

[@ChesireWaltz]

I mean the content alone was absolutely fascinating but the passion of the delivery took it to the next level. I would LOVE to hear you talk more about the radiator building, and art deco and perhaps even art nouveau?

[@Kummahndough]

Watching this video, I did not expect to listen to Blue's artistic analysis of the Tribune Tower. Having fully watched it, I want more like it.

[@luigiboi4244]

While watching this video, the main thought running through my head was,”I want what these feral architects are having.” For context, I live in a small suburban city in North Dakota that doesn’t have many visually interesting architecture. That is due to the town’s issue of having a layer of Clay sandwiched between the Bedrock and dirt, where if you build too high, the building would be too heavy and thin, which would lead to the building to start sinking a la Leaning Tower of Piza. The only building that I can possibly say that is visually interesting is our Sanford Health Hospital, where I let my ADHD run rampant and tend to imagine Knights and stuff.

[@ckl9390]

How thick of a layer of clay are we talking about? Would it be practical to dig through the clay and cement the foundations directly to the bedrock?

[@allisonnolan4485]

My dad works for a newspaper under the Tribune umbrella, and I'm always jealous when he gets to go here in person to check in. Also! If you're in Chicago and like architecture, the architecture boat tour is great.

[@NovaRuner]

This vid feels surprisingly modern for one of Blue’s videos. but then again. It’s about architecture which he also loves. So awesome all round.

[@semaj_5022]

More architecture videos please! I didn't even know I was into this stuff until halfway through this video. Great job and what a beautiful building. I wish I had spent more time actually taking in the scenery when I visited Chicago.

[@mistcaller]

I have been to chicago multiple times. I am absolutely livid that I haven’t seen this building in person.

[@positivelink6961]

I’m not that big on architecture, but Blue’s explanations of it have me more invested in the subject

[@yeetthecheat]

I just gotta say- thank you SO MUCH for providing captions. I'm not great at understanding what people are saying, especially in videos, and I love having the captions!!

[@compatriot852]

It's about time somebody covers Chicago history that isn't about corruption or serial killers

[@GarfiekdKartGo]

I love going past this building on my commute everyday

[@scygnius]

With every Chicago-themed video you make (its architecture being high on the tier list), you make a modestly-sized but deeply passionate group of people very, very happy. Plz make more 👉👈

[@AtheNiify]

"minigolf neoclassical" 😂😂😂 you didn't have to roast my neighbors like that

[@qinntt]

Literally my favorite building in Chicago thanks for telling more people about it

[@nothanks1138]

I'm only 10% mad that you made me enjoy architecture that's not a dome. Excellent work, as per usual!

[@15oClock]

"I'm going to be looking at this building every day for the rest of my life; why not make it the greatest work of art conceivable?"

[@bienchentheskeleton46]

I love how blue can just rant about architecture for 8 1/2 minutes and everyone is completely on board with it.

[@santiagogarza8121]

I never thought I'd want to go to Chicago, but you sir have convinced me

[@mwest9126]

As a St. Louisian, when I heard the name Saarinen, I short-circuited and was like "oh that's my boi that designed the Gateway Arch! Why didn't you mention it?!" Eliel Saarinen (this video) is the dad of Eero Saarinen (Arch) :)

[@endrizalsvensonsonson8494]

Blue: "That's easy! Obvious, even! So abundantly clear as day that it cuts beyond words!" Me, who read Manetti yesterday for class: Huh this guy's really got the Renaissance mindset down

[@adityaadita7849]

Hi, just wanted to say good job on the videos. Love them 😁👍

[@robertboyd8692]

I have never been so enthralled in my life

[@Gracie_goo717]

There's a building in the city I live in that has to have been inspired by the 2nd place design, I think about this video every time I pass it!

[@lydiadavis6327]

how thats crazy, i JUST visited chicago last weeked and i had no idea this building had so much history! i have to say i was amazed and shocked by it as i walked past since it was such a gorgeous building and fairly out of place.

[@NankitaBR]

I am of the opinion that everything that we make/own should be beautiful. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be surrounded by things that are pretty to look at when we are the ones creating the things that surround us.

[@TalicFIN]

Wow I did not know how much Eliel Saarinen influenced with his proposed work, I can see that style almost everywhere in US cities.

[@awesome7067]

OSP needs to release compilation videos for their various subjects like Zero Punctuation has so I can fall asleep to the soothing sounds of Blue gushing about domes and towers.

[@JonBrownSherman]

Since my first trip to Chicago The Tribune Building was my favorite building in the city!

[@86fifty]

I had to leave the great city on the lake in 2018, but it'll never leave my heart, and seeing that damm ubiquitous 4-star flag pop up at the end almost put tears in my eyes... Thank you, Blue, for giving the ole Second City some love

[@bookwyrm5599]

Im going to chicago later this year for a school trip, definitely gonna keep my eye out for this building

[@nanardeurlambda]

they basically cut a piece of a gothic cathedral and propped it atop their skycrapper. I would clown them for the idea, but frankly the result is so good I just can't. Also, this is definitelly the building Batman perches on everytime he wants to look broodily at Gotham.

[@ellajohnny9885]

I love hearing blue talk about architecture

[@beausheffield1895]

As an American going to school to become an Architect I would absolutely love to revive the art deco style in the US. I honestly don't know why we ever abandoned it. Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the US precisely because of how it embraces the art deco style.

[@ericlipton7640]

My career began there and I can’t overstate how much I loved it there. It was a cathedral. Now it’s condos. *sniff*

[@mimmilehtimaki1926]

Eliel Saarinen has such pretty buildings. Both cities I lived in had their town hall designed by him and the Helsinki Railway station is an absolute master piece.

[@MorriganReads]

Yesss Chicago! I grew up there and I’m feeling a little homesick. Thanks Blue.

[@dalgonamilk]

living for the architecture videos

[@denverarnold6210]

There really are so many events in human history where the only justification is "because i could."

[@tylerfrederick5845]

Oh what a great day, I love the architecture videos!

[@dawesome_sauce]

This is a new type of video and I am loving it!

[@htheconqueror6937]

yes I wanted to see something about the building which consumes my thoughts about architecture every day

[@Olivia-pj9wy]

all of the entries were so cool, but it’s interesting how well the building still fits into modern Chicago today

[@ooi97]

"Why do we want things to look nice?" Two reasons, actually: 1. We define "nice" as a way of fitting into the wider template of our brains, despite not knowing how they work. We get flooded with pleasant hormones when something resonates with our unknown templates, because our brain wants its template to fit with reality. That's it's entire purpose. 2. Sight is our strongest sense.

[@LordRavensong]

Ive been trying to find an architectural style that marries Art Deco and Gothic for my vision of Gotham City for a while. I think this building gets pretty close to what I'm after. PS: Ive been referring to this hybrid style as Deco Noir. I don't know if it already exists or not, I'm not an architect.

[@kacperdrabikowski5074]

Now that you say it, the newest Batman architecture has moments that seem so obviously inspired by this style. I mean, Wayne Tower interiors are just so. Freaking. Gothic. Would you mind if I borrow the Deco Noir as a term?

[@eljanrimsa5843]

Have a look inside the Sagrada Familia

[@LordRavensong]

@@kacperdrabikowski5074 Go for it. Like I said, Idk if this is already a style that exists, but it definitely should be.