How the First Skyscraper Was Built

An illustrated inventions story from Wonder Inventions — free to read, with narration.

How the First Skyscraper Was Built — an illustrated inventions story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

How the First Skyscraper Was Built — book cover — Wonder Inventions
How the First Skyscraper Was Built — an illustrated inventions story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

Page 1

Kai bounced a small, deflated basketball as he walked through the shimmering marketplace. Stalls overflowed with peculiar gadgets and gizmos from a thousand…
Kai bounced a small, deflated basketball as he walked through the shimmering marketplace. Stalls overflowed with peculiar gadgets and gizmos from a thousand different dimensions.

Kai bounced a small, deflated basketball as he walked through the shimmering marketplace. Stalls overflowed with peculiar gadgets and gizmos from a thousand different dimensions.

Page 2

Kai nearly collided with a towering figure inspecting a self-stirring teapot. It was William Le Baron Jenney, looking frustrated.
Kai nearly collided with a towering figure inspecting a self-stirring teapot. It was William Le Baron Jenney, looking frustrated. “This simply won’t do!” he muttered, examining the teapot critically. Elise giggled. “Looks like even magical gadgets have their flaws.” Kai, distracted, tripped over a coil of glowing wire.

Kai nearly collided with a towering figure inspecting a self-stirring teapot. It was William Le Baron Jenney, looking frustrated. “This simply won’t do!” he muttered, examining the teapot critically. Elise giggled. “Looks like even magical gadgets have their flaws.” Kai, distracted, tripped over a coil of glowing wire.

Page 3

Suddenly, Kai remembered his magical Invention Encyclopedia back in his room. "Wait a minute! I know just the thing!" He grabbed Elise's hand.
Suddenly, Kai remembered his magical Invention Encyclopedia back in his room. "Wait a minute! I know just the thing!" He grabbed Elise's hand. "Race you home!" With that, he sprinted through the marketplace, dodging strange creatures and alien vendors. Elise, surprised, chuckled and followed close behind. "You and that book," she teased.

Suddenly, Kai remembered his magical Invention Encyclopedia back in his room. "Wait a minute! I know just the thing!" He grabbed Elise's hand. "Race you home!" With that, he sprinted through the marketplace, dodging strange creatures and alien vendors. Elise, surprised, chuckled and followed close behind. "You and that book," she teased.

Page 4

Back in Kai's science-themed bedroom, filled with posters of inventors and half-built robots, he scrambled for the glowing book on his shelf.
Back in Kai's science-themed bedroom, filled with posters of inventors and half-built robots, he scrambled for the glowing book on his shelf. He flipped it open, dust motes dancing in the beam of light it emitted. "Here we go," he muttered, searching the index. A swirling vortex of colors erupted from the book, engulfing Kai and Elise.

Back in Kai's science-themed bedroom, filled with posters of inventors and half-built robots, he scrambled for the glowing book on his shelf. He flipped it open, dust motes dancing in the beam of light it emitted. "Here we go," he muttered, searching the index. A swirling vortex of colors erupted from the book, engulfing Kai and Elise.

Page 5

They landed with a thump on a muddy street in 1880s Chicago. The air was thick with smoke and the sounds of hammering. "Whoa!" Kai exclaimed, his eyes wide.
They landed with a thump on a muddy street in 1880s Chicago. The air was thick with smoke and the sounds of hammering. "Whoa!" Kai exclaimed, his eyes wide. Men in overalls and bowler hats hurried past, pushing wheelbarrows filled with bricks. A cacophony of construction noises filled the air.

They landed with a thump on a muddy street in 1880s Chicago. The air was thick with smoke and the sounds of hammering. "Whoa!" Kai exclaimed, his eyes wide. Men in overalls and bowler hats hurried past, pushing wheelbarrows filled with bricks. A cacophony of construction noises filled the air.

Page 6

A man with a neatly trimmed beard and spectacles approached them. \"Excuse me, children,\" he said, adjusting his glasses. \"Are you lost?
A man with a neatly trimmed beard and spectacles approached them. \"Excuse me, children,\" he said, adjusting his glasses. \"Are you lost? This is quite the construction site for the Home Insurance Building.\" Kai, recognizing him from his Encyclopedia, gasped.

A man with a neatly trimmed beard and spectacles approached them. \"Excuse me, children,\" he said, adjusting his glasses. \"Are you lost? This is quite the construction site for the Home Insurance Building.\" Kai, recognizing him from his Encyclopedia, gasped.

Page 7

\"The Home Insurance Building?\" Elise asked, confused. \"What's so special about it?\" Jenney smiled. \"Why, it will be the first skyscraper, my dear!\" he…
\"The Home Insurance Building?\" Elise asked, confused. \"What's so special about it?\" Jenney smiled. \"Why, it will be the first skyscraper, my dear!\" he explained proudly.

\"The Home Insurance Building?\" Elise asked, confused. \"What's so special about it?\" Jenney smiled. \"Why, it will be the first skyscraper, my dear!\" he explained proudly.

Page 8

"Steel?" Kai asked, scribbling furiously in his notebook. "But I read somewhere that you almost stopped the project because people thought the steel frame…
"Steel?" Kai asked, scribbling furiously in his notebook. "But I read somewhere that you almost stopped the project because people thought the steel frame wouldn't hold it!" Jenney chuckled, "Indeed! People were worried the whole thing would collapse. But I knew it would work. I even famously said, when they tested it, 'Pile on more iron!'. Now we are building one of the tallest buildings in the world with this new method!"

"Steel?" Kai asked, scribbling furiously in his notebook. "But I read somewhere that you almost stopped the project because people thought the steel frame wouldn't hold it!" Jenney chuckled, "Indeed! People were worried the whole thing would collapse. But I knew it would work. I even famously said, when they tested it, 'Pile on more iron!'. Now we are building one of the tallest buildings in the world with this new method!"

Page 9

Elise gasped, "So, if the steel frame holds the weight, you can build much higher?" Jenney nodded. "Precisely! This building cost about 650,000 to build, and at…
Elise gasped, "So, if the steel frame holds the weight, you can build much higher?" Jenney nodded. "Precisely! This building cost about 650,000 to build, and at the time, it was considered a marvel. And this new steel frame design, it's not just about height. It's about the future of cities themselves. It means more space for people to live and work." Suddenly, a familiar swirling light appeared around them.

Elise gasped, "So, if the steel frame holds the weight, you can build much higher?" Jenney nodded. "Precisely! This building cost about 650,000 to build, and at the time, it was considered a marvel. And this new steel frame design, it's not just about height. It's about the future of cities themselves. It means more space for people to live and work." Suddenly, a familiar swirling light appeared around them.

Page 10

Back in Kai's bedroom, he closed the Invention Encyclopedia with a satisfied grin.
Back in Kai's bedroom, he closed the Invention Encyclopedia with a satisfied grin.

Back in Kai's bedroom, he closed the Invention Encyclopedia with a satisfied grin.

About this story

  • Location: United States
  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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