Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Inventor. Engineer. Pioneer. And owner of a really cool name

Today will be somewhat of an educational post for a few of you, and a tribute to one the greatest men of recent(ish) times for others, although if you’re part of the first camp you’ll probably be a member of the second too by the end of this passage.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) was an English engineer responsible for much of the technology that accelerated mankind’s progress through the 20th Century. He engineered the first underwater river tunnel, the first propellor driven ship, the incredible Clifton Suspension Bridge, London Paddington Station, Harbours, and of course, Railways. Almost everything he is credited with designing pushed mankind’s creations beyond what was previously possible; largest brick span, largest suspension span, largest ship, first metal ship…

TFOL George G has built a fitting tribute to IKB for the 2012 MOCOlympics. We’ve featured the 2-2-2 train from George’s creation here, and the whole scene is definitely worth a look. Check it out on MOCpages.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel succumbed to a stroke aged 53, leaving a wife and three children. His bridges, tunnels, stations and harbours are still in use today. And the moral of today’s story kids is Stay In School. And Don’t Smoke.