The Brooklyn Bridge, which links Brooklyn to Manhattan Island, is one of the most famous bridges in the world. Today there are many bridges across the globe surpass Brooklyn Bridge in engineering features, but in 1883 it was unthinkable. Bridge-building experts throughout the world told the designer, a creative engineer by the name of John Roebling, that his idea wouldn’t work.
Roebling convinced his son Washington Roebling, who was also an engineer that his idea had merit. The two of them developed a concept, resolved the problems others had forecast, and enthusiastically hired a crew to build their bridge.
After a few months of building, a tragic on-site accident too John’s life and severely injured Washington, who became unable to walk or talk. Everyone thought the project would have to be abandoned since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew the dynamics of building the bridge.
Washington, however, could still think, and he had a burning desire to see the bridge finished. As he lay in his hospital bed, he had an idea. He would communicate with the engineers by using one finger to tap out in code on his wife’s arm what he wanted her to tell them.
Washington Roebling tapped out his instructions for 13 years until the bridge was built. (Source: God’s Little Devotional Book for Leaders)
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