The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, located in Washington state, is known for its unique spelling. The word "Tacoma" is pronounced /təˈkoʊmə/ and is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k". This is because the original name of the city was "Takhoma", which came from the Puyallup Native American word for "mountain". The word "Narrows" is pronounced /ˈnæroʊz/ and refers to the narrow waterway that the bridge crosses. The bridge itself is a marvel of engineering, with its famous "Galloping Gertie" nickname coming from the dangerous swaying it exhibited before its collapse in 1940.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Tacoma Narrows strait in Washington State, connecting the city of Tacoma to the Kitsap Peninsula. Known for its turbulent history, this iconic bridge gained notoriety for its dramatic collapse on November 7, 1940, just a few months after its completion.
The original Tacoma Narrows Bridge was designed with a slender, flexible deck and a thin cross-section, resulting in an aerodynamic shape that made it vulnerable to high winds. This structural weakness, combined with a windstorm, led to a phenomenon known as "Galloping Gertie," where the bridge began to oscillate and twist in an unpredictable manner. Despite attempts to stabilize the bridge, it ultimately succumbed to the forces and collapsed into the waters below. The dramatic footage of the bridge's collapse became a symbol of engineering failure and has since been studied extensively in engineering and physics.
Following the disaster, a new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, known as the "Galloping Gertie" of 1940, was constructed with more robust engineering and wind-resistant design. This second bridge, completed in 1950, continues to serve as a vital transportation link for the region, offering breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the surrounding landscape.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge remains a significant example in the history of civil engineering and serves as a reminder of the importance of considering and mitigating structural vulnerabilities in bridge design.