Smithsonian.com

Image: Kyle McCluer

As humankind expands into the far reaches of the world, we build things. Bridges, cities, buildings. How do those things get built? Well, a lot of people and a lot of cranes, usually. The Atlantic uncovered an old Encyclopedia Brittanica Film that catalogues the growth of New York City:

While New York took hundreds of years to build, other places come and go in the blink of an eye. Here’s construction on the Burning Man playa:

This one is a bridge:

Here’s a hotel being built:

Here’s a fake hotel being built:

And, for Minecraft fans, here’s a lake city:

None of these quick builds can live up to New York City’s long, strange history. But they’re cool to watch.

More from Smithsonian.com:

Scenes From a Changing Planet
Building Sustainable Cities
When Cities Run Themselves