Akram Youth Beware! Do Not Obstruct anyone | August 2015 | Akr | Page 18

Glimpses of Great Souls
John A Roebling was a German-born
American civil engineer. He is famous for his
wire rope suspension bridge designs and
constructions.
In the year 1869, he kick started the
construction work of 'Brooklyn Bridge' to
connect New York City with Manhattan.
However, bridge building experts throughout
the world thought that this was an impossible
feat and commented adversely on his
venture.
Roebling could not ignore the vision he
had in his mind of this bridge. He thought
about it all the time and he knew deep in his
heart that it could be done. He shared his
dream with his son Washington Roebling,
young and an up-coming engineer, that the
bridge in fact could be built with the kind of
technological vision he had envisaged.
Working together, the father and son
developed concepts of how it could be
accomplished and how the obstacles could be
overcome. With great excitement and
inspiration, and the headiness of a wild

challenge before them, they hired their crew
and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was
only a few months underway a tragic accident
happened. John's toe was damaged on site
that developed into a fatal infection resulting
in his death. Young Washington instantly took
charge of the proceedings and continued with
the work in progress.
But Washington Roebling also suffered
a paralyzing injury as a result of mishap on the
work site during 1870. He was unable to
physically move and supervise the work.
And then came the public remarks:
“We told them so.”
“Crazy men and their crazy dreams.”
“It`s foolish to chase wild visions.”
So on and so forth.
Everyone had a negative comment to
make and felt that the project should be
scrapped since the Roebling's
were the only ones who
knew how the bridge
could be built.

John A Roebling

18 | August 2015