Photographer – David Greenfield
The first patent for a fire escape in the U.S. was registered in 1887 and throughout the 1900's all new construction above a specified number of stories required these emergency escape routes. With urban sprawl, these staircases in the sky served more than their intended purpose. Fire escape form can be part of a visually stunning sight as it casts elongated late afternoon shadows. This captivating imagery inspired David Greenfield’s photographic interest in visually documenting this industrial architecture. His intent is, in part, to exhibit fire escape form in the landscape; for in the not too distant future, a new generation may never experience the beauty of these ironwork alfresco creations nor fully appreciate how they contributed to society.
