What was Isambard Kingdom Brunel most famous for?

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is famous for being an engineer during the Industrial Revolution. He designed the Great Western Railway, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and a trio of record-breaking steamships among many other achievements.

What did Isambard Kingdom Brunel invent?

Isambard Kingdom Brunel did not invent per se but extended existing ideas to their very limits. He designed the fastest railway, the longest single-span suspension bridge, and the largest steamships built up to that time.

How did Isambard Kingdom Brunel change the world?

Isambard Kingdom Brunel changed the world because he helped revolutionize steam travel both by train and ship. His bridge and tunnel designs were also innovative and much-copied thereafter.

Why is Isambard Kingdom Brunel important to Bristol?

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is important to Bristol because he built the Great Western Railway line from London to Bristol and he designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge near Bristol over the Avon Gorge. The giant steamship Brunel built, SS Great Britain, now resides in Bristol.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel Timeline

Definition

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) was a British engineer and a key figure of the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840). Brunel masterminded the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol, designed and built innovative giant steamships like SS Great Britain, constructed bridges and tunnels, and aided casualties in the Crimean War by designing the innovative Renkioi Hospital.

More about: Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Timeline

1806 - 1859
Life of the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
9 Apr 1806
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is born in Portsmouth, England.
1820 - 1822
Isambard Kingdom Brunel studies in France, including an apprenticeship with watchmaker Louis Breguet.
Jan 1828
Isambard Kingdom Brunel nearly drowns in a serious flooding during construction of the Thames Tunnel.
1829
Isambard Kingdom Brunel submits four designs for Clifton Suspension Bridge, one is accepted.
Mar 1833
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is appointed the chief engineer of the Great Western Railway (GWR).
5 Jul 1836
Isambard Kingdom Brunel marries Mary Horsley.
1838
The Great Western Railway line from Bristol to London opens.
1838
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Western is launched.
1840
The Temple Meads railway station in Bristol, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opens.
19 Jul 1843
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Britain is officially launched at Bristol.
May 1845
The steamship SS Great Britain completes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
Sep 1846
The steamship SS Great Britain runs aground in Dundrum Bay on the northeast coast of Ireland.
Dec 1851
The Great Western Steamship Company sells the steamship SS Great Britain to Gibbs, Bright & Company.
1854
Paddington Station in London, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opens.
Feb 1855
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is approached by the British government to design a new type of hospital for use in the Crimean War, the Renkioi Hospital.
1858
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Eastern is launched.
15 Sep 1859
Isambard Kingdom Brunel dies of ill-health.
Jun 1860
SS Great Eastern makes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.

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