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Epic Engineering: Building the Brooklyn Bridge - Alex Gendler

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In the mid-19th century, suspension bridges were collapsing all across Europe. Their industrial cables frayed and snapped under the weight of their decks. So when German American engineer John Roebling proposed building the largest and most expensive suspension bridge ever conceived, New York City officials were understandably skeptical. Alex Gendler details the building of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Director Jeremiah Dickey
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Learn about the challenges involved in building the Brooklyn Bridge, and how they were overcome to create one of New York City’s most iconic structures.

Watch Ken Burns’ wonderful documentary on the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, or read the original coverage in the New York Times and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Several books have been written about the structure, and it has formed the backdrop for countless stories on the page and on the screen. The Whitney Museum has displayed the original architectural drawings, while many interesting facts about the bridge remain to be discovered.


1 Guided Discussion
1 Open Discussion
TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Director Jeremiah Dickey
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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