(Not Just) Another Brick in the Wall
Summary
Host Roman Mars speaks with Chicago brick historian Will Quam about the city’s architectural history and the humble building block. They explore how the Great Fire of 1871 transformed Chicago from a wood city into a masonry metropolis, relying on locally made "Chicago common" bricks. The discussion covers the transition from brick as a primary structural element to a decorative facade, using the Monadnock Building as a key case study. Quam also explains the critical role of mortar in historic preservation, warning how modern cement mixtures can damage old structures by trapping moisture and…
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Introduction to the Monadnock building
The Monadnock's unique brick construction
Will Quam and the Brick of Chicago tour
Chicago's history with 'ugly' common bricks
The shift from hand-made to machine-made bricks
Photography of interior brick walls
Face brick vs. common brick and regional styles
The transition from structural brick to steel frames
The decline of common brick manufacturing
Brick as a modern design material
The cultural and metaphorical persistence of brick
Sponsor breaks
The role of mortar and the dangers of cement
Closing remarks and production credits
Final sponsor reads
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