Customer Reviews

Building Big: Bridges

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The first in the five-part series by David Macaulay, Bridges begins with the story of a bridge collapse. David then covers the evolution of bridges from primitive wooden structures to stone (many still stand) to cast iron, steel, and suspension cables. Well covered is the difficulty in building the Brooklyn Bridge when the bends was first discovered from the pressures involved. Other subjects in this series are Tunnels, Domes, Dams, and Sky Scrapers. David Macaulay explains everything so well and this episode bridged the gaps in my understanding of the subject.

The DVD, Building Big Bridges kept my attention thoughout the show. The lesson plans at the end are great for any teacher wanting to teach Engineering Bridges. You can introduce a lesson for one day or carry it over for a period of two weeks with the information given.

Humans are really impressive. We reached the Americas more than 10,000 years ago. We built the pyramids and the Hoover Dam. We've cured a huge number of diseases. And this documentary shows how impressive it is that we found ways to build huge bridges.

Unlike many documentaries that ground all things in Ancient Egypt or the Renaissance, this documentary mentioned Roman bridges and then jumped to the 1800s. (It's a bit Eurocentric in that Incan bridges and bridges from other cultures don't come up.) I learned that "compression" is the opposite of "tension." Gustave Eiffel not only built his Tower, but he built an important bridge as well.

For American history enthusiasts, this goes into many facts about the Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges. This may really inspire young students who want to become engineers or architects.