The Brooklyn Bridge that spans the river tying Manhattan Island to Brooklyn is truly a miracle bridge. In 1863, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea for this spectacular bridge. However, bridge-building experts throughout the world told him to forget it; it could not be done.
Roebling convinced his son, Washington, who was a young upand coming engineer, that the bridge could be built. The two of them developed the concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With un harnessed excitement and inspiration, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project was only a few months under construction when a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling and severely injured his son, Washington. Washington was left with permanent brain damage and was unable to talk or walk. Everyone felt that the project would have to be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built.
Even though Washington was unable to move or talk, his mind was as sharp as ever, and he still had a burning desire to complete the bridge. An idea hit him as he lay in his hospital bed, and he developed a code for communication. All he could move was one finger, so he touched the arm of his wife with that finger, tapping out the code to communicate to her what to tell the engineers who were building the bridge. For thirteen years, Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger until the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed.
I was really non-plussed when I first read about the story of the man who made the Brooklyn Bridge. It's so insipirational for anyone who is going through real hardships that life has thrown on his/her path. The story is a must-read for others too, because we never know when a need will arise and we'll be compelled to look for real-life inspiration.
This is my version of sharing, Dear Piyush. But there is one confusion - when was the Bridge built, in 1863 or 1883? You confirm, dear GK Expert of CCI.
I feel so lucky to have your blessings, Paras Sir. Please accept my sincere most gratitude for your presence.
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Posted on 08 January 2012
Came to know about the great story hidden behind brooklynbridge, when saurabh da posted this, I was amazed when I read it first time, now also, felt same, really this bridge is standing on the great engineer's willpower, and more than that, her wife's support for all those years is really amazing, hatsoff to the beautifuli couple,
Thanks for sharingPiyush, this one is worth reading again and again
Thanks for Your appreciation sourav ji. I will consider myself G.K Expert only when I got selected for KBC & give correct answers to Amit ji questions.
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