Joseph Strauss (engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Strauss
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The Joseph Strauss Memorial, in San Francisco
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| Born | January 9, 1870 Cincinnati, Ohio, US
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| Died | May 16, 1938 (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, US
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati |
| Occupation | structural engineer |
| Known for | Chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge |
Joseph Baermann Strauss (born January 9, 1870 – died May 16, 1938) was a clever American engineer. He changed how a type of bridge called a bascule bridge was built. He is most famous for being the main engineer behind the amazing Golden Gate Bridge. This famous bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County in California.
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Early Life and Bridge Building
Joseph Strauss was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family was very artistic. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a writer and painter. Joseph graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1892. He earned a degree in civil engineering.
While in college, Joseph was in the hospital. From his room, he could see the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. This view made him very interested in bridges. He even wrote poetry, and after the Golden Gate Bridge was finished, he wrote a famous poem called "The Mighty Task is Done."
Designing Bascule Bridges
After college, Strauss worked for a company that built bridges. At that time, bascule bridges used heavy, expensive iron parts. A bascule bridge is a movable bridge that opens to let boats pass. Strauss had a new idea: use cheaper concrete instead of iron for these parts.
When his idea was not accepted, he decided to start his own company. It was called the Strauss Bascule Bridge Company. There, he completely changed how bascule bridges were designed. His new methods made them much more affordable to build.
Strauss's Bridge Projects
Joseph Strauss designed many bridges across the United States. Some of his notable projects include the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, built in 1926. He also designed the Lewis and Clark Bridge in 1930. This bridge crosses the Columbia River.
His designs were even used in other countries. For example, the Skansen Bridge in Norway, built in 1918, still uses his design today. Other bridges in Sweden and France also copied his innovative style.
Building the Golden Gate Bridge
Joseph Strauss is best known as the chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. This huge project was in San Francisco, California. Building it was a massive challenge. He had to get money and support from people and the U.S. military.
The bridge had to cross a very wide space. It also needed to be incredibly tall and strong. It had to stand up to the powerful ocean winds and currents. Strauss was very careful about the safety of his workers. He insisted on having a large safety net placed under the bridge during construction. This net saved 19 workers' lives!
While Strauss was the chief engineer, much of the detailed design work was done by Charles Alton Ellis. Sadly, Ellis was not given credit for his work when the bridge opened in 1937. However, a plaque honoring Ellis was added to the bridge in 2012. This finally recognized his important contributions.
Later Life
Joseph Strauss passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1938. This was just one year after the Golden Gate Bridge was completed. You can see a statue of him on the San Francisco side of the bridge. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.
Images for kids
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The Joseph Strauss Memorial, in San Francisco
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Strauss (ingeniero) para niños
