https://whatpegmansaw.com/2018/01/27/bristol-united-kingdom/This week, Pegman is in Bristol, U.K. This is the Bristol Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel
photo courtesy of feel-planet.com
I am Isambard Kingdom Brunel, different to other men, I solve insoluble problems, dream up designs never dreamt of before, and make them happen. Like railways across all terrains, great locomotives pulling freight cars at speeds beyond imagining. I have designed dockyards, and trans-Atlantic steamships.
And my favourite bridge in Bristol, across the Gorge. Other men scoffed at me and said ‘ You can’t build a bridge without pillars, across a gorge spanning so wide, it can’t be done !’
Let them laugh at me, let them say I am cruelly mistaken in my dreams. Plodding Bristol traders with feet of clay. Hah ! Just see my glorious bridge, suspended, soaring through the sky, so elegant, so incredibly long, and marvel. I shall see how soon it is before one of those traders makes use of my bridge.
I
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
February 3, 2018 at 12:33 am
Yes, Brunel in Britain and Eiffel in France were engineering giants whose combination of bold vision with careful execution inspired later generations of engineers. It’s a shame the pols look elsewhere for inspiration.
February 3, 2018 at 10:24 am
Yes, good point – bureaucracy instead of bold vision ?
February 3, 2018 at 1:45 pm
That’s one way they fail. Another is bold vision with slapdash execution.
February 1, 2018 at 10:33 am
He was a tult exceptional man. And achieved so much in his comparitively short life. Love the voice you use here, his self conviction (which must have been monumental) and stubborness too. Not a Bristolian, but still well thought of in this city
January 30, 2018 at 8:40 am
He was quite the engineer. I can imagine him standing there smugly as he waits for the traders who scoffed to use the bridge.
January 30, 2018 at 5:28 pm
Yes- I imagine that he was a charismatic and free spirited man. I find him inspiring.
January 30, 2018 at 6:14 am
such a nice historical and motivational piece…
“Let them laugh at me, let them say I am cruelly mistaken in my dreams.”
and both photos are great –
January 30, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Pleased you liked the piece. the phrase..’let them laugh…’ just popped into my mind from nowhere, guess I was imagining being him ?
January 31, 2018 at 8:00 pm
yeah – and you nailed that down because I felt it even at the end (and throughout) because visionaries (people who make things happen) well they do ponder and chew on it as it fuels them- and when you noted at the traders will make use of it – well that was cool – because visionaries have that end idea in mind – and then more unfolds –
January 31, 2018 at 9:01 pm
January 31, 2018 at 9:03 pm
can you delete the second reply (it was a double)and keep the third
January 30, 2018 at 12:03 am
Wonderful photos! He really does look the part of someone who would create such a lofty bit of architecture.
January 31, 2018 at 11:48 am
Thank you – pleased you liked the photos. I agree he does have an aura of bravado about him.
January 29, 2018 at 9:59 pm
Dear Francine,
Very creative. Love the voice and characterization. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
January 30, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Thank you Rochelle, glad you liked it. I did feel fired up by Isambard Kingdom Brunel…what a name !
January 29, 2018 at 7:54 pm
Love this! What a great take – I almost went with the bridge but never would have done it justice as you have!
January 30, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Thank you – most kind. Isn’t the bridge amazing. I stayed in an old hotel right next to the bridge once and marvelled ! Think that inspired me.
January 31, 2018 at 3:59 am
It is… One day I’ll see it “live”!
January 29, 2018 at 6:29 pm
That’s marvelous, I could totally hear him. Great to see you on Pegman!
January 30, 2018 at 5:35 pm
Thank you – so pleased you could hear him. I do admire his free thinking talent.