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Meet the Authors
ALA Unit/Subunit: ALA,UNO
Meeting Type: Meet the Authors
Cost: Included with full conference and exhibits only registration.
Open/Closed: Open
THE BRIDGE: HOW THE ROEBLINGS CONNECTED BROOKLYN TO NEW YORK
The Brooklyn Bridge was originally designed by John Augustus Roebling, but it was his son, Washington, and his daughter-in-law, Emily, who oversaw the bridge’s construction. As work on the bridge went on, Washington developed caisson disease, leaving him bedridden for the majority of the bridge’s 14-year construction. Washington’s wife, Emily Roebling, took his place running the work site, deftly assuming the role of chief engineer, supervising the project and overseeing the workers, contractors, a hostile press, and greedy city politicians-"an unusual position for a woman to take on at the time.