New Book Investigates Mystery Behind 'Lunch on a Beam' Photograph

Christine Roussel, an archivist at Rockefeller Center, presents a new book titled 'Lunch on a Beam: The Making of an American Photograph,' which uncovers the lesser-known background of the famous 1932 photograph depicting ironworkers having lunch on a steel beam during the RCA Building's construction. Known as 'Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,' the image features 11 men perched on a narrow beam high above Manhattan. Although widely recognized, the identity of the photographer remains a mystery. Roussel uncovers that the photo was part of a publicity campaign in the early 1930s involving several press photographers. While Charles Ebbets, Thomas Kelley, and William Leftwich were all present, only Ebbets's family asserts he took the photo, based on a note from his wife. Original assignment records are lost, complicating definitive attribution. Published by Brandeis University Press, the book combines archival research and historical context, highlighting the perilous conditions workers faced and the image's role in shaping New York City's narrative during the Great Depression. Roussel weaves together art, architectural, and social history, drawing from her experiences with those involved in Rockefeller Center's creation.