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Jun 11 2015

Bridges: Nature Abhors Them

57 min 5 movies discussed
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From prehistoric logs across streams to the 102-mile Kunshan Grand Bridge, nature works ceaselessly to take down spans. Learn about the fascinating ins and outs of bridge design and building and the mind-boggling challenges structural engineers face.

AI Summary

Ever wonder how a simple log across a stream evolved into engineering marvels like the Golden Gate Bridge? This Stuff You Should Know episode takes you on a fascinating journey through the world of bridges, from ancient stone arch bridges that still stand today to modern suspension bridges that seem to defy gravity. Josh and Chuck explore the ingenious ways engineers solve the fundamental challenge of getting from point A to point B while dealing with forces like tension, compression, and the occasional hurricane-force wind that wants to turn your bridge into a very expensive pile of rubble.


Movies Discussed

Mad Men
Mad Men
2007
★ 8.1
"they have a Mad Men exhibit right now — Josh mentioned seeing a Mad Men exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens." — Josh
Maximum Overdrive
Maximum Overdrive
1986 1h 38m
★ 5.8
"Have you ever seen Maximum Overdrive, the beginning of that movie? — Josh brought up Maximum Overdrive to discuss a draw bridge scene and mentioned it was directed by Stephen King with an AC/DC soundtrack." — Josh
The Bridges of Madison County
The Bridges of Madison County
1995 2h 15m
★ 7.7
"Bridges of Madison County. They had walls. — Josh mentioned this movie when discussing covered bridges that have walls as an example of a beam bridge with a truss." — Josh
The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal
1982 1h 33m
★ 7.1
"It looks very, um, dark crystal-y — Josh compared the appearance of living bridges in India to the aesthetic of the Dark Crystal movie." — Josh
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
1980 1h 44m
★ 6.8
"the one that the headless horseman couldn't cross in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow — Josh mentioned this as another famous bridge from the story where the headless horseman couldn't cross." — Josh

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