Wednesday, November 30, 2011
London's Tower Bridge Under Construction
Stripped down as you've never seen her: Pictures of Tower Bridge during construction found dumped in a skip
This is one of the London's most beloved landmarks as you've never seen her before.
Stripped down to her underwear, the never before seen pictures of Tower Bridge - one of the world's most recognisable structures - have been unveiled after the stash of hundred-year-old prints were found in a skip.
Coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the bridge's foundation, the 50 sepia photos reveal in incredible detail the ingenuity behind one of the capital's most popular tourist destinations, which was the first bridge of its kind in the world.
The unique pictures, dating back to 1892, document the construction the iconic bridge, which at the time was a landmark feat of engineering nicknamed ‘The Wonder Bridge’.
The discarded pictures, which were retrieved by a caretaker who was looking after a building being turned into flats in 2006, have spent the last five years in a carrier bag underneath his bed.
The 59-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that after the occupants of the Westminster office building moved out, the album and a number of documents were thrown into a skip outside.
He said: ‘I took the ledgers to the Tower Bridge Museum because I thought they might have some historical value.
Remarkable find: The prints reveal in incredible detail the ingenuity behind one of the capital's most popular tourist attractions and how it was put together
A view of the bridge: The sturdy steel frame of Tower Bridge can be seen, before it was covered with its distinctive stone-cladding on the orders of architect John Wolfe-Barry
‘They included records of the materials and used in the bridge's construction and what they cost.
‘I told the man at the museum that I had also found some photos but he told me they already had plenty of those.
‘I didn't know what to do with them so I wrapped them in some brown paper and put them in a bag under the bed.’ It wasn't until earlier this month, when the owner of the photos mentioned them to his neighbour, City of Westminster tour guide Peter Berthoud that the significance of the find fully emerged.
Mr Berthoud, an expert in the history of London who gives guided tours around famous landmarks including Tower Bridge, said he was gobsmacked by the haul.
Transformation: The bridge took eight years to build and at the time was a landmark feat of engineering, combining elements of a suspension and high level bridge and a bascule
‘It combines elements of a suspension bridge, a high level bridge and a bascule which allows it to open for ships to pass.
‘Nothing had ever been made like it before, and nothing since.
‘People are always surprised when I tell them Tower Bridge is a steel bridge, as the stone cladding is so recognisable.’
According to the tour guide, the bridge's original architect, Horace Jones, wanted to clad the bridge in brick, however, following his death he was succeeded as architect by John Wolfe-Barry who decreed the bridge should be clad in stone.
Unique: Many of the 50 sepia prints are in good condition, despite dating back to 1892. Several are even dated, making it possible to trace the progress in construction
Although many of the century-old pictures are in a state of disrepair, around 20 are in good condition.
Many of the 12 by 10 snaps are dated and clearly show how the bridge was put together over a space of eight years.
Memorable scenes include turn-of-the-century labourers taking orders from a site foreman in a bowler hat, and a shot if the bridge's original steam-powered engine room, which could open the bridge in less than a minute.
In one poignant picture flags decorate the body of the bridge and a hand-written pencil note reads: ‘Note, flags denote Mr Hunter's wedding day’.
Mr Berthoud said: ‘My favourite pictures of the simple, humble guys building the bridge, unaware that what they are making will be so historic.
‘People are so used to seeing images of the Empire State Building being built, but this is part of British history being created 50 years earlier.’
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Great Management Gurus…
Earn First. Consume Later..
Invest First. Spend Later.
Invest First. Spend Later.
Simplicity is the most precious asset that one should own.
When any irritation gets into oyster it uses the same irritations to create a Pearl.
"Create a pearl every time you face adversities"
Eagle has a life of 60 years.
However after 30 years ,
it cannot fly and catch food .
So it breaks its own beak and wings .
New beak and wings grow in a few months.
The eagle can then fly and catch food .
The eagle sacrifices for a better tomorrow!
However after 30 years ,
it cannot fly and catch food .
So it breaks its own beak and wings .
New beak and wings grow in a few months.
The eagle can then fly and catch food .
The eagle sacrifices for a better tomorrow!
Message from Eagle ….Upgrade your knowledge, skills and abilities continuously.
-Trees teach us Patience, Growth and Selfless Service.
Trees begin as a small seeds and grow in stages.
The higher it grows; the more it needs to spread its roots deeper.
To grow as an individual, family or an organization we need to spread our roots deeply .
Trees also spread branches. -
Trees begin as a small seeds and grow in stages.
The higher it grows; the more it needs to spread its roots deeper.
To grow as an individual, family or an organization we need to spread our roots deeply .
Trees also spread branches. -
We should spread in various dimensions like personal, professional, social and spiritual.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Harley Davidson Motorrcycle @ 1929
Motorcycle enthusiast modding Robert Maddox executed the order of one of its customers on just such a classic model of modernization in 1929. With the help of a pair of pulse jet engines, the customer was going to disperse the 82-year-old motorcycle up to 320 km / h, but at the last moment refused this crazy idea and Harley came up for auction.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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