January, 2015 - Emily Roebling - The Big Apple

Emily Roebling - 1803 - 1903

Emily Roebling stepped in as the first woman field engineer and technical leader of the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband, Washington Roebling, became paralyzed and could no longer work without the help of his wife.

Emily became responsible for much of the chief engineer's duties, including day-to-day supervision and project management, relaying the information from her husband to the workers, and carrying out her own studies of technical issues, materials, stress analysis, construction, and calculations.

In 1882, Washington's title of chief engineer was in jeopardy due to his sickness.  In order to allow him to retain his title, Emily went to gatherings of engineers and politicians to defend her husband.  To the Roeblings' relief, the politicians responded well to Emily's speeches and Washington was permitted to remain Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

With Washington Roebling still Chief Engineer, the Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed in 1883.

The Drink:

The Big Apple

1 lady apple, cut in half lengthwise, or 2 slices of a larger apple
3 oz whiskey
1 oz dry vermouth
2 dashes bitters
1 cup sparkling apple cider

Drinkability:  5
Drunkability:  3/4
Taxic Diversity:  2
Accessibility:  3
Priority for Conservation:  5

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From "Forgotten Women" hosted by CZ