Washington's Monument

I used to pass by the Washington Monument everyday and can see if from my house (if I'm on the roof) but I never knew it was the tallest building in the world...in 1884.

From Kottke...

[T]he Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world for about five years before the Eiffel Tower, at almost double the height of the Washington Monument, took over the top spot for more than 40 years.

Since we're on the subject, this is what the original proposed design of the monument looked like...


I'm glad they had a change of heart.