Proceedings of an International Conference on Historic Bridges to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge [Paperback]

EMORY L. KEMP (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Although the Capitol Building in Charleston is widely considered one of the most beautiful structures in West Virginia, less attention is paid to what some consider the most remarkable piece of architecture the state possesses.

It's the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, and this collection of essays by civil engineering professors, industrial archaeologists, historians and others is itself a significant bridge from the past to the future. It is not enough to preserve the past, we need also to understand it. These essays help us understand the grand achievement of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which has been restored to its mid-nineteenth century appearance in time for its birthday celebration in October 1999.

The book features:

- Pictures of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and other significant American bridges

- Detailed essays by professionals that reflect their areas of expertise: construction, law, and history of suspension bridges

- Original drawings/blueprints dating back to 1847

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I salute the authors whose articles appear here and also serve as the basis for presentations at the conference held October 21-23, 1999. These are truly an outstanding set of papers, lending new insights both on the history of the bridge and the latest engineering techniques for restoring historic bridges and structures." Emory L. Kemp, Institute for the History of Technology and Industrial Archaeology

 

 

From the Back Cover

In 1849, the new Wheeling Suspension Bridge was a triumph of engineering, the world's longest clear span bridge. The Wheeling bridge was also a landmark in the development of the American frontier, spanning the Ohio River to speed settlement and commerce in the Midwest and beyond. In 1999, historians, engineers, and industrial archaeologists from around the world met in Wheeling to celebrate the still-busy bridge's 150th anniversary. This book presents highlights of the conference, and points out the far-reaching effects of bridge-building.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: West Virginia University Press; 1st Edition edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937058483
• ISBN-13: 978-0937058480
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,181,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)