"How tall can we build?" - who first asked this question?

[Mike K.]

Does anyone know the history/details of the first documented quote asking "how tall/high can we build?" In particular, is there any individual credited with having asked this question or having raised this issue publicly?

My guess is this would stem back to the middle ages when cathedrals began to rise?

[amor de cosmos]

that idea has probably been around since cavemen learned to pile rocks together. i doubt that any one individual could be credited with something like that. maybe an ancient egyptian pyramid designer?

[JDRCRASH]

^ No, probably before that, when the Tower of Babel was first being planned.

[CGII]

It was first said by Ug, in 4500 BC.

The concept of building to the heavens or as tall as possible has been hard wired into our brains since we became human. It's like asking 'who was the first person to develop language, or writing, or stacking stones to build shelter,' it's just ubiquitous with our genetic makeup and I don't think it's something that could ever be determined 'who said first.'

[LMich]

Yes, a very strange question, indeed. It doesn't have an answer because it's almost certain this was asked in pre-history.

[Lecom]

Probably as soon as humans realized that tall structures are monumental and inspiring, whoever was the first to figure that nugget out...