In November, 1940, the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge, opened barely four months before, swayed and collapsed in a 42 mile-per-hour wind. There were no casualties except a dog trapped in a car stranded on the bridge. A rescue was attempted (by the man with the pipe), but the frightened animal would not leave the car.
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark to discourage relic seekers and salvage operations.
This file is a composite of the good quality Internet Archive file and the soundtrack of a poor quality (heavily scratched and filled with abrasions) Castle Film entitled "The Movies Greatest Headlines," which is also in the public domain. I've edited the video to make it fit the sound. I also filtered the sound track to get rid of the hiss and to cut down on the tinny sound.
Reviewer:
L. Hillis
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November 13, 2021
Subject:
Should have made it more ridged
I really wish that Well, There's Your Problem had actually covered this rather than making it a running joke that they would. This does, however, beg the question, "What is a bridge?"
Reviewer:
Metformin
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June 29, 2021
Subject:
Wonderful
...
Reviewer:
Ppittman6564
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May 14, 2021
Subject:
The Replacement bridge.
I crossed the bridge several times when stationed in Bangor in the early 80s. I like how the solved the problem with oscilation by putting grating down instead of a solid surface, all the way across.
Reviewer:
Gissel23
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February 19, 2020
Subject:
Uff uff
Me maltripea chida como se ve el puente pero me gusta
Reviewer:
Dangerous Criminals & Media
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August 22, 2019
Subject:
Great Footage and Sound
Wow!!!
Reviewer:
The_Emperor_Of_Television -
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July 26, 2010
Subject:
Good footage
Interesting example of old time news reporting. Unlike what the newsreel says, it took 10 years to build the replacement because of WW2. The replacement bridge from 1950 is beautful, as is the 2000s-era bridge built next to it (world needs more twin-suspension bridges).
I just wish somebody would upload the kodachrome version of this footage.
Either way, this is impressive stuff, with other bridges of the time, like the Golden Gate, being modified based on knowledge learned.
Reviewer:
masokist
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July 3, 2007
Subject:
galloping girdy
i live just seconds away form this bridge. its known as galloping girdy.
when this happened believe it or not no one was killed
except on guys dog that he left in his car
Reviewer:
Dioneo
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June 24, 2007
Subject:
The sad example
Very well condition of this copy. This is the most famous document about a bridge collapse due resonance (match the structure frequency of vibration and the acting forces). The sad example that is a common topic in the dynamic analysis lectures for structural engineers. Thank you for sharing!