East River Bridge example essay topic

ALBERT EINSTEIN once said about the invention of the Atomic Bomb that it was as much a matter of scientific knowledge and astuteness, as it was a call of circumstances and time. The millennial brightness of Albert Einstein, the pressing imminence of war and the determination to succeed of the American government and scientists, are part of the ecology of innovation that surrounded the emergence of nuclear technology, and eventually led to the creation of the atomic bomb and its destructive power. The ecology of innovation not only includes the elements directly related to the emergence of a new technology such as its inventor, or the need it fulfilled, but also includes seemingly unimportant aspects such as the governing politics that allowed it and the conditions that created a need for that technology. APPLIED TO David McCullough's book, The Great Bridge, this concept encompasses a whole nation in its drive towards modernization. Preceded by inventions such as the railroad and the telegraph, the second half of the 19th century stands at a time where technology is regarded as a primary option to achieving comfort. Little by little, the realization is made that perhaps nature's boundaries is not the farthest mankind can go.

The middle of the 19th century also opens an era of greater involvement of the government in matters of public interests and an increase of funding as well; The Erie canal build from 1817 to 1825 is a testimony of such an involvement, and an example of the willingness to defy nature with innovation. Also, as communications are slowly developed with the emergence of the telegraph and later the telephone, the notion of time and distance become more important than they ever were, and begin to matter in the everyday lives of people. When observed in such an ecology, it is easy to understand how and why the idea of a bridge over the East River, connecting Brooklyn to New York came about at that particular time. Of course as in the example given earlier, the mind at work was a sine qua non condition, and there would most likely not have been any bridge without the mind, or rather the minds of the Roeblings. For this amazing piece of engineering, he was the right mind at the right time. Thomas Kinsella put it in better words in The Brooklyn Eagle, saying: "He spoke our language imperfectly, because he had not the advantage of being born on our soil, but he spoke the genuine language of America at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Niagara...

(The Great Bridge p. 63)". The great bridge was the culmination of John Roebling's career as a bridge builder, after those in Pittsburgh and Niagara, and the feat of covering the whole river in one great span made no doubt in his mind, because he had progressively built bridges that were greater and stronger. He was among an elite few that had the engineering skills to perform such a task, but ultimately convinced the numerous individuals and groups that were involved in the challenge. The trust his reputation had not been sufficient to instill, he obtained by taking along with him on a tour of his bridges around the country, the " Bridge Party" as it was referred to. By 1869, the feasibility of the great bridge was doubted by very few and both the City of New York and the City of Brooklyn had invested millions in the project, and put their entire trust in the engineer, given there was no initial plan to base their investments on. THE PEOPLE of New York and Brooklyn were to be the ones most affected by the bridge: Roebling estimated that nearly half a million people could cross the bridge in a day.

The bridge was " a safe and reliable alternative to the East River ferries. (The Great Bridge p. 26) " The travel of these people would no longer be subject to the wrath of Mother Nature, and this went along the lines of the Manifest Destiny " As the great flow of civilization has ever been from East towards West. (P. 26) ", and the idea that America was headed towards progress and there would be nothing -not even Nature- to stand in her way. The bridge also justified the pursuit of greater comfort and ease through technology and innovations, as " there would be no more endless delays, [and] shoving crowds at the ferry house loading gates. (P. 26) "NEVERTHELESS in spite of all his determination and the proclamation of the greatness of his bridge, John Roebling was sometimes met with uncertainty or perhaps even challenge. The design of his bridge was based on the principle of suspended bridges, which at the time had a fairly poor success: " The reason for so much distrust of suspension bridges was simply that so many of them had come crashing down over the years... with tragic consequences. (P. 74) ", but which he excelled in. Several Engineers expressed "grave apprehensions", and according to McCullough's book, The New York Polytechnic Society had a series of lectures to discuss the monumental error that was to be the East River Bridge. This was a society of respectable engineers, probably quite well educated, that were in total conflict with John Roeblings plans.

It was also said that a span of such length as was to have the great bridge (i.e. 1600 ft.) was impossible, .".. the great river span would thrash and twist until it snapped in two and fell. (P. 33) " JOHN ROEBLING had to deal with a lot of doubtful spirits and critics but these were necessary to assure the wholesomeness of such a majestic plan. Had it not been for each innovation this bridge presents, being challenged discussed and defended over and over, Roebling himself and his son after him might not have had the confidence and trust necessary to complete the task at hand. The mere fact that it withstood so many critics and dismissals was a warrant to its ultimate success.