---
title: Tunnelling Shield
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17151/tunnelling-shield/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2023-04-19
---

# Tunnelling Shield

_Authored by Unknown Artist_

## Image File

[![Tunnelling Shield](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17151.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17151.png)

## Image Caption

An illustration of the tunnelling shield designed by Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849). The shield was used during the construction of the [Thames Tunnel](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thames_Tunnel/), completed in 1843. The shield allowed workers to excavate but be protected from cave-ins. The idea, according to tradition, was inspired by the shipworm (*Teredo navalis)* which burrows into the wooden hulls of ships. The shipworm's soft interior is protected while it bores by a hard outer shell around its gnawing jaws and head. Brunel's idea was that a shield would act as a temporary support for a stretch of the excavated area until a more solid covering of the tunnel could be put in place. The tunnelling shield has been used on many major engineering projects ever since, notably the Channel Tunnel connecting the UK with France.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Artist, U. (2023, March 02). Tunnelling Shield. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17151/tunnelling-shield/>
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Tunnelling Shield." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 02, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17151/tunnelling-shield/>.
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Tunnelling Shield." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Mar 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17151/tunnelling-shield/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thames_tunnel_shield.png) by [**Unknown Artist**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thames_tunnel_shield.png). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 02 March 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.