The Celine Dion of Engineering: Emily Warren Roebling
Jul 28, 2024
2 min read
Dear JAMMers,
Emily Warren Roebling. Have you heard the name?
Brooklyn Bridge - have you heard of that?
This engineering and architectural accomplishment would not be possible without Emily Warren Roebling.
According to biographer Hamilton Schuyler, Emily had an “almost masculine intellect.”* Are you effing joking me, Hamilton? I am sure at the time your writing was published, 1931, this was seen as a compliment. But dear lord. Let’s do better at lifting women’s contributions than describing them as masculine. I have many powerful, assertive women in my life. Often, the men around them joke that they act or think “like a man.” I truly hope millennials and future generations will continue to raise men who dismantle these societal messages.
(Cue the amazing Like a Girl Always campaign)
Anyway, back to the story -
Engineering and crafting the Brooklyn Bridge was a herculean task. Building began in 1869. However, Mr. John Roebling - the designer of the bridge - was injured on site only a few days into building. Unfortunately, he contracted tetanus which caused an extremely rapid decline; he died just 30 days later. So at this time in society, who would take over for a father? His son. Washington Roebling stepped in as Chief Engineer. Three years later, another unfortunate illness fell upon the family. Washington became physically incapacitated from "the bends" but remained cognitively intact.** Enter his wife, Emily.
Remember, beyond the general miracle this bridge’s execution was, this woman achieved it after losing her father-in-law quickly and watching her husband fall very ill. Resilience and perseverance are personified in this woman. At first, she began as a secretary and shortly moved on to negotiating contracts and liaising with the board of trustees. She oversaw 11 years of the 14-year construction, as her husband watched and advised from their Brooklyn Heights window.
And no one told me about this story before a drunk man on my TV?! Ugh.
She brought this marvel to the finish line and allegedly took a carriage across the bridge holding a rooster when it first opened in 1883. Icon behavior.
Let’s sing out loud for more unsung heroes of history.
No worries,
Jaclyn
*Source: The New York Times, Overlooked: Emily Warren Roebling
**Source: History Channel Online, How Emily Roebling Saved the Brooklyn Bridge
