Brooklyn Bridge.

• Author: Rothenberg, Robert S.

At the time the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public in May, 1883, 14 years after construction began, its two stone towers were taller than any other man-made structure in North America. The story of the massive engineering project that brought about this moment makes for a fascinating video, even though the story must be told through historical still photos interconnected by narration.

Bridge-builder John Roebling and his son, Washington, who supervised most of the construction, had to fight the hardships of having to sink the foundation through caissons deep into the bedrock under New York's East River, including the dreaded bends caused by nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream from the compressed air used to keep the waters from crushing the wooden structures; fires and explosions that set the schedule back time after tiem; bribery and corruption under the city's notorious Boss Tweed, leading to delivery of substandard building material; and the overwhelming challenge of erecting what was at the time the world's largest suspension bridge. It ultimately cost the father his life, as he died from lockjaw following an accident even before construction actually started, and the son his health. Washington Roebling wound up supervising the project from his apartment in Brooklyn Heights after he was stricken with the bends, making it impossible for him to descend to the work area beneath the river, and later turning him into an invalid.

The magnitude of the task is evidenced by the...