Design for EngineeringUnit 7 Technology and society

Annette BeattieAugust 15, 2006

Hoover DamETP 2006 – Annette Beattie

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in

this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science

Foundation (NSF).

ETP 2006 – Annette BeattieThis material is based upon work supported by the National

Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in

this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science

Foundation (NSF).

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Hoover DamHoover Dam One of the "Seven Modern

Engineering Wonders of the United States”

The strong desire to harness nature's power drove the human mind and body to build a dam in the hottest, driest area of the United States.

One of the "Seven Modern Engineering Wonders of the United States”

The strong desire to harness nature's power drove the human mind and body to build a dam in the hottest, driest area of the United States.

Hoover DamHoover Dam

People wanting to irrigate low lying desert areas without suffering from flooding made it obvious to the United States government that the Colorado River was part of the solution.

People wanting to irrigate low lying desert areas without suffering from flooding made it obvious to the United States government that the Colorado River was part of the solution.

Hoover DamHoover Dam

The government pursued bids for the building project.

This project was so demanding that one construction company would not be capable enough to solely build the dam.

Therefore, six of the largest United States construction companies worked together to acquire the bid calling themselves Six Companies, Inc.

The government pursued bids for the building project.

This project was so demanding that one construction company would not be capable enough to solely build the dam.

Therefore, six of the largest United States construction companies worked together to acquire the bid calling themselves Six Companies, Inc.

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Frank Crowe was chief engineer of Six Companies, Inc. that lead the project.

Frank Crowe was chief engineer of Six Companies, Inc. that lead the project.

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

Born in Trenholmville, Quebec, Graduated from the University of

Maine in 1905 with a degree in civil engineering.

The University's Francis Crowe Society is named in his honor.

Born in Trenholmville, Quebec, Graduated from the University of

Maine in 1905 with a degree in civil engineering.

The University's Francis Crowe Society is named in his honor.

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

Crowe became interested in the American west during a lecture from Frank Weymouth, a guest speaker from the United States Bureau of Reclamation.

He signed up for a summer job before the end of the lecture.

That summer job began a 20 year career with the reclamation service that would change the face of the American west.

Crowe became interested in the American west during a lecture from Frank Weymouth, a guest speaker from the United States Bureau of Reclamation.

He signed up for a summer job before the end of the lecture.

That summer job began a 20 year career with the reclamation service that would change the face of the American west.

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

While working on the Arrowrock Dam in Idaho, Crowe pioneered two practices that are crucial to the construction of large dams.

The first was a pneumatic delivery system to transport cement.

The second was a system of overhead cables to allow the pneumatic system to pump cement at any point on the construction site.

While working on the Arrowrock Dam in Idaho, Crowe pioneered two practices that are crucial to the construction of large dams.

The first was a pneumatic delivery system to transport cement.

The second was a system of overhead cables to allow the pneumatic system to pump cement at any point on the construction site.

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

Using this technique, Crowe built some of the largest dams in the American west, including the Shasta Dam and 18 other dams. But the Hoover Dam was crowning glory.

Using this technique, Crowe built some of the largest dams in the American west, including the Shasta Dam and 18 other dams. But the Hoover Dam was crowning glory.

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

"I was wild to build this dam," Crowe would later recall. "I had spent my life in the river bottoms, and (Hoover) meant a wonderful climax--the biggest dam ever built by anyone, anywhere."

"I was wild to build this dam," Crowe would later recall. "I had spent my life in the river bottoms, and (Hoover) meant a wonderful climax--the biggest dam ever built by anyone, anywhere."

Frank CroweFrank Crowe

It is said about Crowe that he was not only an engineering genius, but a people genius as well.

He finished the dam 2 years ahead of schedule

And received a $350,000 bonus (In 1936 the avg. salary was $1,500)

It is said about Crowe that he was not only an engineering genius, but a people genius as well.

He finished the dam 2 years ahead of schedule

And received a $350,000 bonus (In 1936 the avg. salary was $1,500)

Hoover DamHoover Dam

Taking on such a project gave jobs to many during the depression

However, it cost the lives of approximately 100 people

several communities had to relocate due to (manmade) lake mead that took up 247 sq. miles

It serves electricity to Arizona, Nevada, and southern California

Lake Mead is enjoyed by 8-10 million people each year

Taking on such a project gave jobs to many during the depression

However, it cost the lives of approximately 100 people

several communities had to relocate due to (manmade) lake mead that took up 247 sq. miles

It serves electricity to Arizona, Nevada, and southern California

Lake Mead is enjoyed by 8-10 million people each year

SourcesSources

http://www.bigy.com/temp/70th_anno/bigy70th.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam

http://www.hooverdamtourcompany.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/hoover/peopleevents/pandeAMEX87.html

http://www.bigy.com/temp/70th_anno/bigy70th.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam

http://www.hooverdamtourcompany.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/hoover/peopleevents/pandeAMEX87.html