Overview
"Just 129 days after it opened, the $6.4 million Tacoma Narrows Bridge plunged to a watery grave on November 7, 1940. Even before completion, the engineering marvel's tendency to undulate was apparent, earning it the nickname ""Galloping Gertie."" Still, many of those involved claimed to be utterly stunned by the failure. In Catastrophe to Triumph, Richard S. Hobbs examines the real reasons government agencies hired a New York firm to fatefully revise the first set of plans. He reveals who knew about the imminent danger, what was being done to prevent a disaster, and why it was too little, too late. He recounts the final calamitous hours and harrowing escapes. In the aftermath, he explores the lawsuits, the insurance scam, the formal investigation, the heartbreak of ruined careers, and more. Yet ultimately, the story ends in triumph. Hobbs describes how a magnificent new 1950 bridge rose on the original substructure, along with details about the most recent Narrows span, scheduled to open in 2007. He explains the design changes that ensure stability and the incredible maintenance these intricate machines require. Prepared in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation."
Full Product Details
Author: Richard S. Hobbs ,
Douglas B. MacDonald
Publisher: Washington State University Press
Imprint: Washington State University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 22.90cm
, Height: 1.30cm
, Length: 26.70cm
Weight: 0.789kg
ISBN: 9780874222890
ISBN 10: 0874222893
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 01 December 2006
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Temporarily unavailable
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Reviews
A fascinating, thorough, and beautifully-written history of the region's infamous bridges. --Bridge Design & Engineering Ideal for those who may not know the full story of how that fateful day in 1940 arrived. --Civil Engineering The author's writing style is direct and supplemented through a vast assortment of photos and drawings. --CHOICE This inclusive and compelling portrait includes descriptions that bring the people to life and photos that enhance the stories. --Jan Walsh, Washington State Librarian
Author Information
Richard S. Hobbs earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Washington and has led a career as an archivist, researcher, and writer. He resides on Whidbey Island in Washington's Puget Sound region, and is the author of The Cayton Legacy, published in 2002 by Washington State University Press.
