From the April issue: 1923: City bans climbing buildings by “human flies”
After a daredevil died in a publicity stunt to promote a silent movie, New York City banned the scaling of the walls of buildings for advertising purposes, 90 years ago this month. The city passed the ordinance just weeks after a 32-year-old professional steeplejack died while climbing to the top of the 17-story Martinique Hotel, located at 32nd Street and Broadway. At the 10th floor he lost his footing and plunged to his death to the horror of the thousands gathered in Greeley Square. [more]