(Not Just) Another Brick in the Wall
Summary
Host Roman Mars speaks with Chicago brick historian Will Quam about the city’s architectural history, focusing on the Monadnock Building as the world’s tallest masonry skyscraper. They explore how the Great Fire of 1871 transformed Chicago from a wooden city into a brick metropolis using locally produced, "ugly" common bricks. The discussion traces the shift of brick from a primary structural material to a decorative element due to steel frames and modern concrete, while also examining the critical role of mortar in preserving historic buildings.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Introduction to the Monadnock Building
Will Quam and the history of Chicago bricks
The Great Fire and the rise of Chicago common brick
Mechanization of brick production
The aesthetic of common brick and interior walls
Geography of brick: face vs. common and regional styles
The transition from structural brick to steel frames
Decline of common brick manufacturing and environmental regulations
Brick as a decorative and design material
Brick buildings as community and identity markers
The persistence of brick in language and culture
Sponsor breaks
The role of mortar in climate control and movement
Problems with cement mortar in historic buildings
Closing remarks and production credits
Sponsor promotions
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