Actually, not really. The first phase of Gateway center was 1950-53, and the truck and single car we can see in the distant garage are definitely mid-40s in appearance.
The thing that makes the shovels look old is that they are shovels (not back hoes, which do most excavating today), distinguished by the direction in which they scoop. 1950 places this perfectly as the backhoe was developed in the UK in 1953 and rose to prominence in the U.S. in the late fifties, quickly displacing the use of "steam" shovels (really diesel since the thirties) that had been unchanged in form for decades.
Construction of gateway center, or earlier? You can see Horne's bldg way in background with newer bridge to fifth ave place.
Doesn't that construction equipment look too old to be for the gateway center?
Actually, not really. The first phase of Gateway center was 1950-53, and the truck and single car we can see in the distant garage are definitely mid-40s in appearance.
The thing that makes the shovels look old is that they are shovels (not back hoes, which do most excavating today), distinguished by the direction in which they scoop. 1950 places this perfectly as the backhoe was developed in the UK in 1953 and rose to prominence in the U.S. in the late fifties, quickly displacing the use of "steam" shovels (really diesel since the thirties) that had been unchanged in form for decades.
Interesting point, thanks.