Educational Media Reviews Online

When most of us think of the famous bridge in New York City we focus on the Brooklyn Bridge, but the George Washington Bridge has been called "the most beautiful bridge in the world" by a number of architects and bridge builders. This is due mainly to its beautiful proportions and the graceful path of the cables. The bridge spans the Hudson river between New York City and New Jersey. It was completed in 1931. This film covers the building of the bridge, the process leading up to the building, and the effect the bridge has had on the two communities. Much of the video is devoted to the story of Othmar Amman the engineer who conceived the project, and spent more than two years convincing politicians for support. His obsession was, of course, originally thought to be folly. But Othmar's vision, along with his ability to convince not only the powers, but the people of New York and New Jersey of the value of such a bridge, succeeded and resulted in one of the most impressive structures in the world.

Much of the power of the video is the result of the appearance of Kathleen Hulser of the New York Historical Society who provides an historical overview of the period leading up to the planning and the actual construction of the bridge. Also, archival footage shows how New York was emerging as a major world trade and industrial center during the time the bridge was being built. Finally, Christian Meyer, Columbia University School of Engineering, and Dan Rastorfer, author of the book Six Bridges, give us an excellent overview of the technical challenges involved in building this wonderful structure.

Highly recommended.