Engineering Marvels: The Eads Bridge and Its 150-Year Journey

Saint Louis In Tune

We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the iconic Eads Bridge with guest Dr. John Brown, Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia School of Engineering. Dr. Brown, author of 'Spanning the Gilded Age: James Eads and the Great Steel Bridge,' discusses the historical significance, groundbreaking engineering techniques, and financial challenges involved in the construction of the Eads Bridge.

The conversation explores James Eads's life, his innovative work during and after the Civil War, and his unparalleled contribution to bridging the Mississippi River. Listeners also hear about the bridge's endurance through historical events, including the 1896 cyclone, and future plans to commemorate its 150th anniversary. A fascinating exploration of history, engineering marvels, and societal impact.

[00:00] Celebrating a Monumental Birthday: The Eads Bridge Turns 150

[01:05] Introducing Dr. John Brown: A Deep Dive into the Gilded Age and James Eads

[04:22] James Eads: From Salvage to Innovation

[09:02] The Civil War and Eads' Ironclad Warships

[13:57] Engineering Marvels: The Eads Bridge and Its Impact

[24:58] Exploring the Future: The Eads Bridge Today and Beyond

[28:12] Engaging with the Community: Upcoming Events and Listener Participation

[30:08] Unveiling the Great Steel Bridge: A Historical Deep Dive

[30:37] Innovative Engineering: The Pneumatic Caisson Explained

[33:56] Challenges and Solutions Beneath the Mississippi

[37:11] The Human Cost of Innovation: Decompression Sickness

[40:13] From Vision to Reality: Financing the Great Steel Bridge

[44:37] Insider Deals and Industrial Age Dynamics

[45:49] Eads's Strategic Alliances and Construction Battles

[48:49] The Legacy of the Great Steel Bridge

[51:21] Final Thoughts and Event Promotion

• Spanning the Gilded Age – James Eads and the Great Steel Bridge
• John K. (Jack) Brown | University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science

This is Season 7! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

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