🌉 Watch Nature Throw Hands (and Tentacles)

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Hello Fellow Engineers!

We’ve got bridges, brawlers, and botanical warfare… so basically, the usual chaos.

We’re giving away 100 copies of Bumble Brawlers (because violence is best served top-down), checking out one of America’s most legendary bridges, and witnessing nature absolutely lose it over some innocent resource extraction.

Also: a LEGO ski slope, a Greek god meltdown, and me and Paddy finding an entire house like confused property developers.

Scroll on, you brave engineer, scroll on.

Let’s dive into it 👇

This week, we’re giving away ONE HUNDRED copies of Bumble Brawlers! 🐝💥

Yes. One hundred. Why? Because the developer asked if I wanted some keys to give away, and I said “sure!”

…turns out “some” meant 100… and who am I to say no to free games!

But… the winner list is longer than an architect’s ego, so we’re not clogging up the newsletter with it.

👉 Check your inbox to see if you’ve won! 🎉 If you’ve got a key, it’s time to buzz, bash, and brawl your way to glory.

Didn’t win this time? Don’t worry, more giveaways are on the way.

Want in on the next one? Vote in the poll below! 🌉

👷‍♂️ Truss Me, I’m an Engineer…

Eads Bridge, Missouri

This week, we're spotlighting the Eads Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri. A true testament to engineering prowess and a gentle reminder to architects that without us, their sketches would remain just that.

Completed in 1874, the Eads Bridge was the first bridge to span the mighty Mississippi River south of the Missouri River. Designed by the ingenious James Buchanan Eads (yes, the bridge is named after the engineer, not an architect), this structure was a trailblazer in multiple ways:

• Steel Pioneer: It was the first significant bridge to use steel as a primary construction material, setting the stage for future steel structures.​

• Deep Foundations: The bridge's piers were sunk over 100 feet below the river's surface using pneumatic caissons, a groundbreaking technique at the time.

• Record-Breaking Span: Its 520-foot center arch was the longest rigid span ever constructed back then.

Now, while architects might have fancifully envisioned a bridge with ornate flourishes and perhaps a gazebo or two mid-span, it was the engineers who ensured the Eads Bridge stood firm against the Mississippi's currents. In fact, during construction, steamboat operators, perhaps in cahoots with certain architects, imposed restrictions hoping to make the bridge's construction impossible.

But, as history shows, engineers love a good challenge.

So, next time you stroll across a bridge or admire a towering skyscraper, remember the unsung heroes: the engineers who turn architectural doodles into durable realities.

After all, without engineers, architects would just be... artists.

For more on the Eads Bridge and its engineering feats, check out this detailed overview.

⚡ Cool Links

🕍 I built an ANCIENT GREEK ROMAN city and the Gods turned on me...
Look, I thought it was Greek… until the Roman gods showed up and started smiting my aqueducts. Turns out divine wrath isn’t covered by Roman engineering insurance either.

🧱 This guy likes LEGOs…
This absolute legend engineered a whole live skiing scene out of LEGO, tiny slopes, moving lifts, the works. Brace your bricks and check it out on Reddit.

🃏 Balatro Wins Debut Game | Ben Starr delivers hilarious BAFTA speech
And the BAFTA for Debut Game goes to… Balatro! 🃏 But the real winner? Ben Starr’s absolutely unhinged acceptance speech. 👇

🐕‍🦺 Paddy’s Corner

We found a house!

We found a whole house! Me and Paddy stumbled on it like two confused squirrels — was it crafted by an architect... or a certain apprentice?

👾 Indie Game of the Week:

In Calyx, I tried to peacefully strip a planet for its resources… but apparently the local plants weren’t cool with that.

One minute I'm mining ore, the next I’m in a full-blown battle with vine monsters and getting smacked around by eco-rage.

Smash the like button or the plants will find you too. 🌿👀

Watch nature throw hands (and tentacles) 👇

It’s time for a Bridge Review!

Welcome back, bridge enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the tangled marvel that is the Lucky Knot Bridge in Changsha. This isn't your average overpass; it's a Möbius strip on steroids, a structural pretzel that leaves you wondering whether you're coming or going.​

Engineering Feats:

• Triple Interwoven Pathways: The bridge boasts three pedestrian lanes that twist and loop over each other, creating an infinite loop with no clear beginning or end. It's like the engineers couldn't decide on a single path, so they built them all.

• Structural Integrity: Despite its chaotic appearance, the bridge stands firm, supporting thousands of pedestrians who dare to navigate its labyrinthine paths.

Architectural Flair (or Folly?):

• Aesthetic Choices: Painted a bold red, the bridge is impossible to miss. Some say it's a nod to traditional Chinese symbols; others think it's a giant "Do Not Enter" sign.

• Moon Gates: Incorporating circular openings inspired by traditional Chinese garden architecture, these features add cultural flair. However, one might wonder if they serve any purpose beyond confusing tourists.

Final Thoughts:

While the architects might pat themselves on the back for this avant-garde design, it's the engineers who deserve the real credit for making this convoluted concept a reality. The Lucky Knot Bridge is a testament to what happens when structural genius meets, well, artistic ambition.​

Score: 7.8/10​

🏗 r/realcivilengineer Spotlight

🤔 Thoughts from an Engineer