Brooklyn Bridge: The Roebling Story

BROOKLYN BRIDGE: THE ROEBLING STORY is a HANDS-ON HISTORY of the incredible married Engineers who made this marvel a reality!

When it opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the tallest structure in the Western hemisphere! Standing at 13.7" tall, this 1/244th scale model uses 2,015 bricks to capture the bridge's awesome presence. Two roadways slot into the tower, spanning 17.8" in total. The model's robust base prevents it from easily tipping, and just like the industrial-age marvel itself, this LEGO replica is 100% brick built!

I've always been drawn to the bigger-than-life engineering of bridges, and after getting into LEGO MOCs over the past year, I realized that the notable engineering of the Brooklyn Bridge would make for an incredible LEGO set! The gothic style arches, stonemasonry, and 19th-century time period can tap into the LEGO builder's love for engineering and history. But when I learned about the amazing people behind it, I knew this would be a perfect way to introduce their stories to a wider audience!

The Bridge was designed by Chief Engineer Washington Roebling's father, who tragically died before a single stone was laid. Washington was a great leader, frequently meeting alongside his workers on-site, even at the grueling underwater dig for the Bridge’s foundations. Unfortunately, as with a multitude of workers in this dangerous environment, Washington contracted a lung disease known as “the bends” — forcing him into permanent recovery.

With rising costs, delays, and casualties, the bedridden Washington depended on his wife Emily Warren Roebling to record his orders and carry them out. Emily soon became the new face of the Bridge’s completion, nobly carrying out the vision first begun by Washington's father. Were it not for her diplomacy and perseverance, the bridge might have never been completed.

The Brooklyn Bridge is not only a testament to human accomplishment, but the power of a family preserving their legacy through every trial. I believe the Brooklyn Bridge deserves its place in the ever-inspiring catalogue of LEGO IDEAS sets, so if you enjoy my take on this inspiring landmark, I would greatly appreciate your support!