4. Tacoma Narrows Bridge
The story of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is one of both failure and progress. The original bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” spectacularly collapsed in 1940 due to wind-induced oscillations—an event that captivated the world and forever changed bridge engineering. Its dramatic demise led to a deeper understanding of aerodynamics, resulting in new global safety standards. The bridge’s replacement, completed in 1950, stands as a testament to engineering resilience and the lessons learned.
