Which Spanish-born builder’s company created the vaulted tile ceiling outside Grand Central’s Oyster Bar—and whose 1886 U.S. patent protected a multilayer tile-vault system?
Reveal answer
Answer: Rafael Guastavino. Grand Central identifies him with the Oyster Bar’s vaulted tile work, while U.S. Patent 336,048 names him and claims a vault made from multiple layers of brick tiles set in cement or plaster. Grand Central Terminal; U.S. Patent 336,048.