How strong a

(The story of the Brooklyn

When its construction was finished in 1883, it was the biggest suspension
the United States, but the story behind its construction is one that is even more
amazing that the structure that resulted from it.

An engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea of building a magnificent
suspension bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. He had
his idea but no one was interested to even consider it further and asked John to
forget about it. It was a very difficult task, something, which had never been
attempted before and was not practical.



But there is something about men like Roebl
no for an answer. John Roebling's son, Washington Roebling, who was a novice
engineer then, had faith in his father's dream. They started w
John-Roebling's-dream.

a mans will power could be?
he story of the Brooklyn Bridge

When its construction was finished in 1883, it was the biggest suspension
e story behind its construction is one that is even more
amazing that the structure that resulted from it.
An engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea of building a magnificent
suspension bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. He had
his idea but no one was interested to even consider it further and asked John to
forget about it. It was a very difficult task, something, which had never been
attempted before and was not practical.
But there is something about men like Roebling which makes it impossible to take a
for an answer. John Roebling's son, Washington Roebling, who was a novice
engineer then, had faith in his father's dream. They started working together to fulfill
s will power could be?
Bridge)
When its construction was finished in 1883, it was the biggest suspension-bridge in
e story behind its construction is one that is even more
An engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea of building a magnificent
suspension bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. He had put forward
his idea but no one was interested to even consider it further and asked John to
forget about it. It was a very difficult task, something, which had never been
ing which makes it impossible to take a
for an answer. John Roebling's son, Washington Roebling, who was a novice
orking together to fulfill

The project started well, but after a year, a tragic accident at the site took John
Roeblings life. In 1869, while walking along the riverbank of the East River, he
became the victim of an unfortunate ferry-accident. He was scouting for possible
locations where the bridges two towers would be built when a passenger-ferry
crashed into the ferry-landing where he was standing, crushing one of his feet and
leaving him paralysed. He suffered severe seizures and periodically lapsed into a
coma before dying in the early morning hours of July 22, 1869.

This left Washington in charge of the Brooklyn project. Not long after taking charge
of the bridge, Washington Roebling suffered a paralyzing injury as well, the result of
decompression sickness. This condition plagued many of the underwater workers, in
different capacities, as the condition was relatively unknown at the time and in fact
was first called "caisson disease" by the project physician Dr. Andrew Smith. Left
paralyzed, deaf and mute, Roebling directed the construction from his Brooklyn
Heights bed and began relying on his wife to execute his orders. Washington could
only move one finger, and using that one finger, he developed a code of
communication with his wife Emily Warren Roebling. He would touch his wife's
arm with that finger, indicating his intention to call the engineers. For the next 11
years, Washington gave instructions by tapping on Emilys arm and she patiently
decoded his messages and relayed them to the crew. The bridge was finally
completed-and-opened-for-use-on-May-24,-1883.

Today, the 5,989 feet Brooklyn Bridge stands over the East River as a tribute to the
victory of John and Washingtons strong spirit, will power and determination. It is a
tribute to the unceasing faith of the engineers in a man who could barely move a
finger. It is also a tribute to the love and affection Emily had towards her husband.

The story of Brooklyn Bridge portrays a very good example of having a vision,
believing in it and then pursuing it with a never-say-die attitude.
Its due to Washington's unwavering resolve, in the face of extreme adversity, that
this world has this technological marvel to show case.

Life is not easy, it is not meant to be. It is not a party either. There are men who live
for a few years, raise a family, earn a living and die. Then, there are men like
Roebling, whose legacy never dies. If you think your life is hard, think of this man. If
he could achieve so much, you have no excuse for living a life of mediocrity. The only
difference between losers and winners is that when facing a problem, losers give up,
while winners simply try harder.






























John Augustus Roeblin


Decompression sickness (DCS; also known as divers' disease, the bends or caisson
disease) describes a condition arising from dissolved gases coming out of solution into
bubbles inside the body on depressurisation. DCS most commonly refers to problems
arising from underwater diving decompression but may be experienced in other
depressurisation events such as working in a caisson, flying in unpressurised aircraft,
and extra-vehicular activity from spacecraft.
Since bubbles can form in or migrate to any part of the body, DCS can produce many
symptoms, and its effects may vary from joint pain and rashes to paralysis and death.
Individual susceptibility can vary from day to day, and different individuals under the same
conditions may be affected differently or not at all. The classification of types of DCS by its
symptoms has evolved since its original description over a hundred years ago.
Adapted From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decompression_sickness



Image Depicting the laying of Foot
path of the Brooklyn Bridge





A Typical view of the Brooklyn Bridge


Ref:


http://www.history.com/topics/brooklyn-bridge#