Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Where does the name Isambard from the book come from?
Isambard is named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel , one of the most famous engineers of the nineteenth century. In England, he is still widely regarded as a technical genius.
Brunel did not think in terms of limitations. He constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Together with his father, he built the first tunnel under the Thames, a technical marvel at the time. In addition, he designed the famous suspension bridge at Bristol and played a key role in the construction of railway lines and stations.
What has always personally fascinated me are his ships. The Great Western , the Great Britain, and the Great Eastern were all revolutionary. Especially the Great Britain, with its iron hull and screw propulsion instead of paddle wheels. This represented a huge step forward in shipbuilding. The ship was decades ahead of its time.
Brunel passed away at the young age of 54, but his ideas live on. He showed that progress begins with people who dare to think beyond the boundaries of their own time.
Perhaps it is not so strange, then, that his parents gave him that particular name.
On a rolling ship, paddle wheels on the sides constantly draw in air, whereas a ship's propeller underwater provides continuous propulsion.
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