Joseph Strauss
Encyclopedia
Joseph Baermann Strass (January 9, 1870 – May 16, 1938) was a German-American structural engineer
and designer.
to an artistic family of German
origin, having a mother who was a pianist and a father who was a writer and painter. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati
in 1892, serving as both class poet and president. Strauss graduated with a degree in economics and business. Upon graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Strauss worked at the Office of Ralph Modjeski
, where he began to innovate the design of bascule bridges. He was Chief Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge
in San Francisco, California
. He placed a brick from the demolished McMicken Hall at the University of Cincinnati in the south anchorage before the concrete was poured. Strauss was also designer of the Burnside Bridge
(1926) and the Lewis and Clark Bridge (1930). He also wrote a poem saluting the Sequoia of Northern California and Southern Oregon. His love for bridges came from a hospital stay when he was in college. His room overlooked the Cincinnati-Covington bridge which sparked his interest in bridges. He died in Los Angeles, California
, just one year after the Golden Gate's completion. His statue can be seen on the San Francisco side of the bridge.
As Chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge, Strauss overcame many problems. He had to find funding and support for the bridge from the citizens and the U.S. military. There were also innovations in the way the bridge was constructed. It had to span one of the greatest distances ever spanned, reach heights that hadn't been seen in a bridge, and hold up to the forces of the ocean. Strauss was also concerned with the safety of his workers. He required that a net be installed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge during construction. This net saved a total of 19 lives. In fact, Charles Alton Ellis
was chiefly responsible for the structural design of the Golden Gate Bridge. Because of a dispute with Strauss, however, Ellis was not recognized for his work when the bridge opened in 1937.
Strauss also worked with the Dominion Bridge Company
in building the Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge
in Toronto
.
Strauss' father, Raphael Strauss (1830–1901), was a prominent painter, whose works included U.S. presidents. His pianist mother had an unfortunate accident which ultimately ended her concert career. Strauss' nephew, Ray Strauss (1907–1982), was a well-known, mid-century scarf designer in New York city.
In 1987, a major 50th anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge was held in San Francisco. Most recently, the Wall Street Journal published a March 17, 2007 article, "Spanning the Impossible," which commemorates Strauss' engineering marvel, in this its 70th year.
Joseph Strauss had many hobbies. One of these included poetry. After completion of the Golden Gate Bridge he returned to his passion of poetry and wrote his most recognizable poem "The Mighty Task is Done". He also wrote an awe-inspiring poem "The Redwoods". His moving poem "Sequoia" can still be purchased by tourists visiting the California redwoods.
Structural engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants...
and designer.
Life
He was born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
to an artistic family of German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
origin, having a mother who was a pianist and a father who was a writer and painter. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
in 1892, serving as both class poet and president. Strauss graduated with a degree in economics and business. Upon graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Strauss worked at the Office of Ralph Modjeski
Ralph Modjeski
Ralph Modjeski was a Polish-born American civil engineer who achieved prominence as a pre-eminent bridge designer in the United States.-Life:...
, where he began to innovate the design of bascule bridges. He was Chief Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. He placed a brick from the demolished McMicken Hall at the University of Cincinnati in the south anchorage before the concrete was poured. Strauss was also designer of the Burnside Bridge
Burnside Bridge
The Burnside Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.-Design:Including approaches, the Burnside has a total length of and a center span. While lowered this span is normally above the river. The deck is made of concrete, which contributes to its being one of...
(1926) and the Lewis and Clark Bridge (1930). He also wrote a poem saluting the Sequoia of Northern California and Southern Oregon. His love for bridges came from a hospital stay when he was in college. His room overlooked the Cincinnati-Covington bridge which sparked his interest in bridges. He died in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, just one year after the Golden Gate's completion. His statue can be seen on the San Francisco side of the bridge.
As Chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge, Strauss overcame many problems. He had to find funding and support for the bridge from the citizens and the U.S. military. There were also innovations in the way the bridge was constructed. It had to span one of the greatest distances ever spanned, reach heights that hadn't been seen in a bridge, and hold up to the forces of the ocean. Strauss was also concerned with the safety of his workers. He required that a net be installed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge during construction. This net saved a total of 19 lives. In fact, Charles Alton Ellis
Charles Alton Ellis
Charles Alton Ellis was a professor, structural engineer and mathematician who was chiefly responsible for the structural design of the Golden Gate Bridge...
was chiefly responsible for the structural design of the Golden Gate Bridge. Because of a dispute with Strauss, however, Ellis was not recognized for his work when the bridge opened in 1937.
Strauss also worked with the Dominion Bridge Company
Dominion Bridge Company
Dominion Bridge Company Limited was a Canadian steel bridge constructor originally based in Lachine, Quebec. From the core business of steel bridge component fabrication, the company diversified into related areas such as the fabrication of holding tanks for pulp mills and skyscraper framing.Other...
in building the Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge
Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge
The Cherry Street Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge is a bascule bridge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located in the industrial Port Lands area, it carries Cherry Street over the Toronto Harbour Ship Channel and opens to allow ships to access the channel and the turning basin beyond. The bridge was...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Strauss' father, Raphael Strauss (1830–1901), was a prominent painter, whose works included U.S. presidents. His pianist mother had an unfortunate accident which ultimately ended her concert career. Strauss' nephew, Ray Strauss (1907–1982), was a well-known, mid-century scarf designer in New York city.
In 1987, a major 50th anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge was held in San Francisco. Most recently, the Wall Street Journal published a March 17, 2007 article, "Spanning the Impossible," which commemorates Strauss' engineering marvel, in this its 70th year.
Joseph Strauss had many hobbies. One of these included poetry. After completion of the Golden Gate Bridge he returned to his passion of poetry and wrote his most recognizable poem "The Mighty Task is Done". He also wrote an awe-inspiring poem "The Redwoods". His moving poem "Sequoia" can still be purchased by tourists visiting the California redwoods.
Further reading
- Strauss, Joseph B.,The Golden Gate Bridge Report of the Chief Engineer to the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, San Francisco, CA: Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, 1938
External links
- The American Experience, PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
- Biography by the ASCEAmerican Society of Civil EngineersThe American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
(broken?) - History and Heritage of Civil Engineering by the ASCEAmerican Society of Civil EngineersThe American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
- Joseph Strauss quotations