Illustration for a steampunk novel

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have gathered you here so you can observe from a perfect vantage point the destruction of the entire human civilization. Prepare to witness the awesome power of my electrostatic steam-ray gun!", said Prof. Ubelmauer before bursting into maniacal laughter.

The actual image is of the "world's tallest chimney" in Kearny, NJ. I assume that the chimney was not operational at the time.