The Economic Times

In 1921, Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant began building towers in his Los Angeles yard; 33 years later, his handmade creation included a tower more than 99 feet high

In 1921, Italian immigrant Sabato Simon Rodia began an ambitious project on his small property in Los Angeles. Working alone during nights and weekends, the railroad laborer and self-taught tile setter spent more than 33 years constructing what became Watts Towers. Rodia used steel, wire mesh, mortar and decorative materials ranging from tiles and seashells to soda bottles and bowling balls. He worked without welding or scaffolding, even as the tallest tower rose more than 99 feet. Today, the 17 interconnected structures stand as a celebrated example of folk-art sculpture and neighborhood creativity, resilience and identity in Watts.