Construction of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Above is an iconic image that is an exciting absurdity as it features two well-dressed waiters as they serve lunch to two steel-workers as the construct the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The four brave souls are positioned on a steel beam as it is being placed for the construction of the massive hotel.
It is believed that the photo was merely taken for comedic purposes as it wasn’t used as promotional material or anything of the sort. The Waldorf Astoria is one of New York’s most famous five-star hotels. Famous for its towering stature and high class accommodations. It was created in 1893 when William Waldorf Astor and his cousin, John Jacob Astor IV constructed hotels on adjacent properties. After a short business feud, the two decided it would be more prudent to unite their hotels, which they did in a literal sense by connecting their buildings with a bridge.
Eventually the Astor pair decided that they wanted to simply open a new hotel that they could both run together, so they sold the land that their two hotels were built upon, which would be used to construct the Empire State Building. The new building, now named the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, was constructed to be the tallest hotel in all of New York City. This hotel would also go on to make history by going on to become the first hotel to offer room service. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is open to this very day, continuing their tradition of upscale service and class, just like they showed their steel workers who built the structure.
Writer / Quiz Creator
Andrew Nicholas is a passionate reader and writer on the subjects of history and mankind. He is a published author, critic, and poet who grew up in the friendly scenery of rural Ohio. He is a graduate of Wright State University and a regular student of historical curiosities.