Donald Roebling

Donald Roebling (November 15, 1908 – August 29, 1959) was an eccentric twentieth-century American philanthropist, engineer, industrial designer, and inventor.

Donald Roebling
Born(1908-11-15)November 15, 1908
New York City, United States
DiedAugust 29, 1959(1959-08-29) (aged 50)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupationinventor, engineer, philanthropist
Known forInvention of the amphtrac in 1937

He was the great-grandson of John A. Roebling, who began the design of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the grandson of Colonel Washington A. Roebling and Emily Warren Roebling, who together completed the design and supervised its construction.

History

Born in New York City, Roebling grew up in his family's Boulderwood Mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey.[1]

Roebling built Spottis Woode, now known as the Donald Roebling Estate, in Clearwater, Florida in 1929. The estate and its buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in Pinellas County in 1979.

Roebling died in Boston on August 29, 1959 following complications as a result of an earlier gall bladder operation.[1]

Science and invention

Roebling had an interest in science, and sponsored Paul Bartsch's 1937 Smithsonian marine research expedition.[2] He was also involved in the establishment of the Archbold Biological Station.

He is most famous for inventing the amtrac in 1937, which he originally intended to be a hurricane rescue device. The United States Navy awarded Roebling a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of "exceptional accomplishment" for his invention, dubbed the Roebling Alligator. In 1948, he received the Medal of Merit from President Harry S. Truman, "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States."

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See also
  • American inventors
  • 20th-century American engineers

References
  1. Roan, Richard W. "Roebling's Amphibian: The Origin Of The Assault Amphibian". Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  2. "Roebling Yacht Soon to Start Scientific Trip". Sarasota Herald-Tribume. March 28, 1937. p. 8.


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