grand ambition

walter p chrysler built an automobile empire in the first third of the century. in 1928 construction began of the Chrysler building its doors would open within the next three years. the top floors held a private club and also an observatory where the paying public could look out through the triangular windows over new york and the adjacent construction of the empire state building. in the middle of the observatory was a glass case, within which sat a toolbox. "w.p. chrysler" was painted on the outside of the box and its contents were displayed in a neat fashion. the tools were handmade by walter p chrysler decades prior while working at a railroad when he was unable to afford new store-bought tools. a sign on the wall near the box read something the effect of "from this height you can see for forty miles in every direction and learn much about this country. or you can look in this box and learn much more."