Skip to main content

Great Depression

Port Washington Power Plant
Society: ASME Main Category: Electric, Mechanical Sub Category: Steam Era: 1930-1939 DateCreated: 1935 Wisconsin Electric Power Company Milwaukee State: WI Zip: 52303 Country: USA Website: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-a-l/electric-power-production-steam/-51-port-washington-power-plant-%281935%29 Creator: Wisconsin Electric Company

The Port Washington Power Plant of the Wisconsin Electric Company was the most thermally efficient steam power plant in the world for many years following its opening in 1935. Its design reflected the cumulative experience of the utility's engineers in burning pulverized coal at the Oneida Street Plant and the Lakeside Station in Milwaukee.

YearAdded:
1980
Image Credit: Courtesy ASME Image Caption: The dedication of Port Washington Power Plant coincided with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city in which it is located. Era_date_from: 1935
Pioneer Zephyr
Society: ASME Main Category: Mechanical Sub Category: Rail Transportation Era: 1930-1939 DateCreated: 1934 Museum of Science and Industry Chicago State: IL Zip: Country: USA Website: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-m-z/rail-transportation---1/-58-pioneer-zephyr-%281934%29, https://www.asme.org/getmedia/ce78f690-8505-4687-9a2a-0b39b5876006/58-Pioneer-Zephyr-1934.aspx Creator: Budd Company

In the late 1920s, the automobile cut railroad passenger service by more than half. The debut of the Pioneer Zephyr heralded a comeback in 1934, touring the country and being seen by some two million people in 222 cities.

YearAdded:
1980
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Steve Wilson (CC BY 2.0) Image Caption: Pioneer Zephyr Era_date_from: 1934
Colorado River Aqueduct
Society: ASCE Main Category: Civil Sub Category: Water Supply & Control Era: 1930-1939 DateCreated: 1933-1941 Fullerton
Parker Dam
State: CA Zip: Country: USA Website: http://www.asce.org/Project/Colorado-River-Aqueduct/ Creator: Weymouth, Frank E.

Stretching 242 miles from the Colorado River on the California-Arizona border to its final holding reservoir near Riverside, California, the Colorado River Aqueduct consists of more than 90 miles of tunnels, nearly 55 miles of cut-and-cover conduit, almost 30 miles of siphons, and five pumping stations. Supplying approximately 1.2 million acre-feet of water a year - more than a billion gallons a day - it helped make possible the phenomenal growth of Los Angeles, San Diego, and surrounding Southern California areas in the second half of the 20th century. 

YearAdded:
1994
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Chuck Coker (CC BY-ND 2.0) Image Caption: Colorado River Aqueduct sinks into a tunnel underneath California State Highway 62 Era_date_from: 1933
Miami Conservancy District
Society: ASCE Main Category: Civil Sub Category: Water Supply & Control Era: 1920-1929 DateCreated: 1922 Taylorsville Dam (One of 5 Dams) Huber Heights State: OH Zip: 45424 Country: USA Website: http://www.asce.org/Project/Miami-Conservancy-District/ Creator: Flood Prevention Committee, Morgan, Arthur Ernest

The Miami Conservancy District flood control project was the direct result of the disastrous flood of 1913, when waters from the Miami, Stillwater, and Mad rivers flooded Dayton and surrounding communities in the Miami Valley. More than 400 lives were lost and property damage exceeded $100 million. When Dayton flooded, great fires raged, adding to the devastation. Many believed that the area would never recover. 

YearAdded:
1972
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/bobosh_t (CC BY-SA 2.0) Image Caption: The Taylorsville Dam, one of the five dry damns to come out of the Miami Conservancy District Era_date_from: 1922
Subscribe to Great Depression

Innovations

Miami Conservancy District

The Miami Conservancy District flood control project was the direct result of the disastrous flood of 1913, when waters from the Miami, Stillwater, and Mad rivers flooded Dayton and surrounding communities in the Miami Valley. More than 400 lives were lost and property damage exceeded $100…

Read More
Colorado River Aqueduct

Stretching 242 miles from the Colorado River on the California-Arizona border to its final holding reservoir near Riverside, California, the Colorado River Aqueduct consists of more than 90 miles of tunnels, nearly 55 miles of cut-and-cover conduit, almost 30 miles of siphons, and five…

Read More
Pioneer Zephyr

In the late 1920s, the automobile cut railroad passenger service by more than half. The debut of the Pioneer Zephyr heralded a comeback in 1934, touring the country and being seen by some two million people in 222 cities.

The Zephyr was the first diesel-powered, stainless-steel…

Read More
Port Washington Power Plant

The Port Washington Power Plant of the Wisconsin Electric Company was the most thermally efficient steam power plant in the world for many years following its opening in 1935. Its design reflected the cumulative experience of the utility's engineers in burning pulverized coal at the Oneida…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support America's only magazine of the history of engineering and innovation, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to Invention & Technology.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.