How a St. Louis architectural illustrator’s work shaped many well-known fantasy worlds

What would Batman’s Gotham City be like without its towering skyscrapers and moody energy? What would Superman’s Metropolis look like without its massive suspension bridges or the Daily Planet? Can you imagine Dorothy’s Oz without its glistening Emerald City?

No one can.

These well-known fantasy worlds and countless others were inspired by the illustrations of St. Louis architectural illustrator Hugh Ferriss. Ferriss was highly regarded in his field for his one-of-a-kind detailed and signature drawings of skyscrapers and skylines.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson spoke with Andrew Wanko, a public historian with Missouri Historical Society, about Ferriss’ work and legacy in the world of fiction.