Docendo Discimus
The collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge on November 7, 1940, was a pivotal event in the field of engineering and bridge design, offering profound lessons that have since influenced the construction of all long-span bridges. Known as "Galloping Gertie," the bridge was at the time the third-longest suspension bridge in the world, following... Continue Reading →
The Kelly Barnes Dam disaster stands as a grim reminder of the importance of infrastructure safety and maintenance. Occurring in 1977, the failure of this dam resulted in the tragic loss of life and substantial property damage. The incident spurred a reevaluation of dam safety and became an emblematic lesson for engineers and policymakers. The... Continue Reading →
October 8, 1871, stands as a pivotal date in American history. It was a day when three devastating fires raged concurrently, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake: the Chicago Fire, the Great Michigan Fires, and the Peshtigo Fire. These fires, collectively, claimed thousands of lives, razed entire communities, and transformed American urban and... Continue Reading →
Source: Herculaneum | ancient city, Italy | Britannica Herculaneum, ancient city of 4,000–5,000 inhabitants in Campania, Italy. It lay 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Naples, at the western base of Mount Vesuvius, and was destroyed—together with Pompeii, Torre Annunziata, and Stabiae—by the Vesuvius eruption of AD 79. The town of Ercolano (pop. [1995 est.] 59,695) now lies over part of the site. The excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii in... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 