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[email protected]. ©Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society and other rightsholders www.americanscientist.org 2004 July–August 1 ENGINEERING BIG DIG, BIG BRIDGE Henry Petroski ast March I traveled to Boston to give a talk The first phase of construction began north of Lto a student meeting hosted by the Boston downtown, in Charlestown, and proceeded across Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) the Charles River and south. In 1954, the first sec- of the American Society of Civil Engineers tion of the Central Artery, along with the Sumner (ASCE). The cumbersome name of the local or- Tunnel to East Boston (and the airport), was ganization stems from the fact that the Boston so- opened to traffic—and to terrible reviews. The ele- ciety, the oldest permanent engineering society vated highway was ugly to look at, unappealing in America, wanted to retain its identity when in to walk under and confusing to drive over. The 1974 it became a section of the ASCE, the oldest continuation of the highway southward was con- national engineering society. The distinction was structed underground. By the end of the decade, clear at the meeting, where an ASCE banner the Central Artery was carrying 75,000 vehicles hung from the front of the lectern, while a much daily, including the through traffic that was to larger BSCES banner hung higher on the wall be- have been diverted to the Inner Belt.