This selection is nowhere near a comprehensive timeline of the evolution of skyscrapers. The ten listed here each highlight a significant part of their technological development or the motives of a client. It is important to note that the invention of the passenger elevator, first implemented in a New York building in 1871 was critical to the continual development of the skyscraper. Prior to the elevator, buildings were capped at five or six floors because of the strenuous nature of so many stairs.

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To navigate, scroll through the timeline and select a building name to see a short description of the building and the significance it held in its clientele or technological development of skyscrapers.