Ep 18. Engineering Disasters of the '70s

Modern Marvels season 14, episode 18 delves into the Engineering Disasters of the '70s. Throughout the decade, engineering and industrial advancements rapidly accelerated, but safety precautions lagged behind, resulting in multiple catastrophic disasters. The episode explores the causes and consequences of several notable incidents, including the collapse of the Silver Bridge, the destruction of the Los Angeles Coliseum roof, and the infamous Ford Pinto case.

The Silver Bridge in Ohio, which connected the towns of Point Pleasant and Gallipolis, collapsed in December 1967 and killed 46 people. Investigation revealed that a small defect in one of the bridge's suspension rods had caused the entire structure to fail catastrophically. The episode discusses the concept of metal fatigue, which played a crucial role in the disaster.

In March 1971, the Los Angeles Coliseum roof collapsed, just months before it was scheduled to host the Super Bowl. The disaster occurred because the roof's steel frame was not designed to withstand high winds, and several of the roof's panels succumbed to the strong gusts. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but it had significant financial repercussions for the stadium and the city.

The most notorious engineering catastrophe of the decade was the Ford Pinto case. In 1970, the car's design flaws, primarily a rear-mounted fuel tank and insufficient reinforcement, made it susceptible to bursting into flames during rear-end collisions. The episode covers the story of a Pinto driver in Indiana who died in a car accident caused by these design flaws, leading to a highly publicized lawsuit against Ford. It was revealed that Ford had known about the design defects but chose not to fix them due to the high cost involved.

The show also explores other lesser-known incidents, such as the collapse of the Teton Dam in Idaho and the multiple accidents caused by a poorly designed supertanker called the V.L.CC. Betelgeuse. In both cases, a lack of testing and safety precautions led to catastrophic failures.

Engineering Disasters of the '70s highlights the importance of safety standards and testing in the engineering industry. Despite the failures of the past, engineering advancements have continued at a breakneck pace, with each new development building on the knowledge gained from past mistakes. The episode concludes with a discussion of modern safety protocols and design standards, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to secure a better future.