Skip to main content

How one design flaw almost toppled a skyscraper - Alex Gendler

869,907 Views

4,986 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1978, Diane Hartley was writing her undergraduate architecture thesis when she made a shocking discovery. After weeks of poring over the Citicorp Center’s building plans, she’d stumbled on an oversight that threatened to topple the 59-story tower into one of New York City’s most densely populated districts. Alex Gendler digs into the skyscraper’s potentially deadly mistake.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Nicholas Paim
  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Alopra Studio
  • Animator Alopra Studio
  • Art Director Nicholas Paim
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from The World's People and Places