Final answer:
The construction industry, especially during the Industrial Revolution with the introduction of iron, steel, and glass, played a major role in the development of the first model building codes, which were necessary to regulate safety in the use of new building materials and techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
The industry that played a major role in the development of the first model building codes was the construction industry, spurred on by technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution. With the emergence of new building materials like iron, steel, and plate glass, and their growing use in large structures, there was a significant need to ensure safety and regulate the use of these materials.
For instance, Charles Bage's 'fireproof' design in 1796 used iron and brick to improve the resilience of mills, but without a proper understanding of iron's properties, some early mills collapsed. However, by the early 1830s, the introduction of the section beam by Eaton Hodgkinson led to the safer and more widespread use of iron constructions.
Moreover, trade organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers, founded in 1852, started to develop standards to distinguish professional engineers, which helped in shaping the regulatory landscape that would include building codes.
The construction of iconic structures such as the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851 also highlighted the need for codes to govern the use of new technologies. In the 20th century, regulations like the '1916 Setback Law' in New York further influenced the design and safety standards of buildings, leading to iconic styles like the 'wedding cake' design seen in the Chrysler Building.
In summary, the technological innovations and increased understanding of materials directly informed the development of building codes to ensure structural safety and regulate construction practices.