309
top 24 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] Spastickyle@lemmy.world 65 points 7 months ago

I parents live within a 5-mile drive from that location. I don't think the commenters understand how windy that place is. The wood may look more sturdy but it's also a wind sail. The thin "toothpick" structure was most likely designed to allow the wind to pass through without blowing the bridge down.

[-] yetAnotherUser@feddit.de 23 points 7 months ago

There's an easy solution to make bridges stable in windy conditions:

(That bridge was built from 1846 to 1851 and it's still used today)

[-] BakerBagel@midwest.social 18 points 7 months ago

And how do you propose you get all those bricks to some remote pass in Wyoming in the late 19th century? There was 21,000 (non-native) people living in an area larger than the entire United Kingdom in 1880.

[-] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 43 points 7 months ago

I mean... A train?

I get you though; built with what's readily available to meet the needs of the time.

[-] BetterDev@programming.dev 14 points 7 months ago

I laughed out loud at this. Thank you.

[-] BakerBagel@midwest.social 4 points 7 months ago

It's not jist about what's readily available either. A giant brick viaduct would require thousands if workers, housing, food, and sanitation for them. On top of that, the army would have to dedicate a full company ti protecting the workers due to the risk of attack from natives. The logistics just make it impossible for such a remote area back then.

[-] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago

Windy in Wyoming, color me shocked 😲

[-] Heliumfart@sh.itjust.works 43 points 7 months ago

Haha, according to the article, that photo is after the reinforcements were added. No thanks

[-] CptEnder@lemmy.world 35 points 7 months ago

Honestly the wood one looked more secure

[-] Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 26 points 7 months ago
[-] Graphy@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

That’s me playing polybridge.

“Well I think triangles are strong and don’t really know any other shapes so…”

[-] Dkarma@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Wood weathers incredibly fast in the sun

[-] Rolando@lemmy.world 34 points 7 months ago
[-] jupyter_rain@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 7 months ago

The first one was wooden? Oh my...

[-] TomMasz@lemmy.world 29 points 7 months ago

Civil Engineering took a while to catch on.

[-] Thrashy@lemmy.world 38 points 7 months ago

The number of rail bridge collapses covered by Well There's Your Problem where the episode opens with a retelling of how the railroad company owner designed the bridge himself because the engineers couldn't grasp the genius of his vision is too damn high.

[-] nieceandtows@programming.dev 28 points 7 months ago

That bridge looks rickety af

[-] 1995ToyotaCorolla@lemmy.world 29 points 7 months ago

“Steel is stronger than wood, so let’s make our trestle out of metal toothpicks”

[-] grue@lemmy.world 23 points 7 months ago

That's the kind of bridge I'd only want to cross at 88 mph.

[-] PugJesus@kbin.social 14 points 7 months ago
[-] Anticorp@lemmy.world 9 points 7 months ago

Couldn't they have, idk... built a more substantial bridge?

[-] Schmuppes@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Time is money, brother.

[-] kokesh@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

Just send it!

[-] Seraph@kbin.social 4 points 7 months ago

Maybe less weight at once? You've got two engines there after all...

this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2024
309 points (99.4% liked)

HistoryPorn

4865 readers
191 users here now

If you would like to become a mod in this community, kindly PM the mod.

Relive the Past in Jaw-Dropping Detail!

HistoryPorn is for photographs (or, if it can be found, film) of the past, recent or distant! Give us a little snapshot of history!

Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.
  9. No genocide or atrocity denialism.

Pictures of old artifacts and museum pieces should go to History Artifacts

Illustrations and paintings should go to History Drawings

Related Communities:

Military Porn

Forgotten Weapons

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS