Why is the Brooklyn Bridge marked with a plaque dedicated to the memory of Washington Roebling's wife Emily?

Emily Warren Roebling (September 23, 1843 – February 28, 1903) was an engineer known for her contributions over a period of more than 10 years to the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband Washington Roebling developed caisson disease (a.k.a. decompression disease) and became bedridden. She served as a liaison and supervisor of construction through communicating between her husband and on-site personnel. Her husband was the chief engineer during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which had been designed by his late father, John A. Roebling.

Today the Brooklyn Bridge is marked with a plaque dedicated to the memory of Emily Warren Roebling, her husband Washington Roebling, and her father-in-law John A. Roebling.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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15 Comments

Wayne Roberts

Great engineering project, and as a diver it was important in understanding decompression illness, then called caisson disease. They were large concrete structures sank to the river bed and then pressurized to keep the water out so workmen could dig down to the bedrock for the foundations.

Wendy Wilkins Valdez

All of them from South Jersey, Burlington County. The Roebling Museum is located in the community built and named after them, Roebling. It is located in Florence Township.

earlepg

It's unfortunate that Emily had to wait so long for her belated obituary (which she ultimately couldn't even enjoy seeing) since she was the driving force behind the Brooklyn Bridge. She went through so much in educating herself and supporting her husband in bringing that massive project to fruition.

Julie Allen

After her husband was incapacitated by caisson disease (the bends), Emily helped him complete the building of the bridge. First American woman engineer, one source calls her a prioneering example of independence.

Wendy Tubbs Motz

The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Emerson Wood is an excellent historical fiction book on this subject.

Howard Groopman

tvisco, Thanks for that info, good to know. Now learn to spell "its."

Merri Sillery

earlepg, that I agree with.

Lawanta

There was a similar question a few days ago, focusing on the decompression sickness many of the workers got. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have known the answer to this one!

earlepg

Merri Sillery, But it's still unfortunate that she didn't have an idea of the accolades she drew. The unfortunate part being that it might have been before she died so that she could enjoy it. ;>)