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      "utf8": "In the mid-19th century,"
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      "utf8": "city officials \nwere understandably skeptical."
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      "utf8": "But Manhattan \nwas increasingly overcrowded,"
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      "utf8": "and commuters from Brooklyn \nclogged the river."
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      "utf8": "In February of 1867, the government \napproved Roebling’s proposal."
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      "utf8": "This design was ideal \nfor supporting long decks,"
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      "utf8": "By adding these additional cables, \nRoebling improved the bridge’s stability,"
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      "utf8": "Similar designs had been used \nfor some other bridges"
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      "utf8": "but the scope of Roebling’s plan here\ndwarfed them all."
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      "utf8": "His new bridge’s deck\nspanned over 480 meters—"
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      "utf8": "1.5 times longer than any previously built\nsuspension bridge."
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      "utf8": "his proposal called for \nover 5,600 kilometers of metal wire"
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    "segs": [ {
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      "utf8": "the towers would need to stand \nover 90 meters above sea level—"
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    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "making them the tallest structures \nin the Western Hemisphere."
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      "utf8": "Roebling was confident \nhis design would work,"
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    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "but while surveying the site in 1869,"
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    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "an incoming boat \ncrushed his foot against the dock."
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    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Within a month, \ntetanus had claimed his life."
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    "segs": [ {
      "utf8": "Fortunately, John Roebling's son, \nWashington, was also a trained engineer"
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      "utf8": "The following year, construction \non the tower foundations finally began."
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      "utf8": "This first step in construction \nwas also the most challenging."
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    "segs": [ {
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      "utf8": "Working conditions in these caissons \nwere dismal and dangerous."
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      "utf8": "Lit only by candles and gas lamps, \nthe chambers caught fire several times,"
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      "utf8": "Even more dangerous was \na mysterious ailment called \"the bends.\""
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      "utf8": "Today, we understand this \nas decompression sickness,"
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      "utf8": "that killed several workmen."
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      "utf8": "Yet once again, \nthe Roeblings proved indomitable."
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      "utf8": "Washington’s wife Emily \nnot only carried communications"
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