Engineering the Panama Canal

Abstract

Like many boys growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, I was fascinated with collecting stamps, and they taught me much about our American legacy. But the only stamps that ever honored the contributions of American civil engineers were issued between 1928 and 1948 by the Panama Canal Zone. Distinctly American in design, they bore standard motifs of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Most of the men they portrayed were public figures during the years 1904 to 1914, when the Panama Canal was being constructed. These stamps represent a significant chapter in American history, but few of us know much about the men they recognize. This article is a detailed account of the decisive roles played by eight American engineers in building the Panama Canal, unquestionably one of the most remarkable engineering feats of all time. As we celebrate the canal's centennial this year, it's worth pausing to reflect on this glorious American engineering achievement.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Civil Engineering; Construction Method; Occupation; Project Management

Geographic Coverage

Panama Canal

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0885-7024

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Oct 2014

Link to Full Text

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