In 1940, Washington State unveiled the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a bold project meant to connect Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula and showcase modern engineering. At 5,939 feet (1,810 m) long with a 2,800‑foot (853 m) main span, it was the third‑longest suspension bridge in the world. But its narrow, lightweight design made it unusually flexible. From the very first days, winds off Puget Sound sent the deck rolling like a wave, earning it the nickname “Galloping Gertie.” Engineers tried quick fixes