The Sears Tower, completed on May 3, 1973, held the title of the world's tallest building for nearly 25 years. Now ranking 25th globally, the article revisits its iconic status and an urban legend associated with measuring its height.

Still ranked 25th in the list of tallest buildings, the Sears Tower — completed on May 3, 1973 — was the tallest in the world for nearly 25 years. A.S.Ganesh takes you as close as possible to the tower from this distance, while also revisiting an urban legend about measuring the height of a building…