J.A.L. Waddell | |
|---|---|
 John Alexander Low Waddell | |
| Born | January 15, 1854 Port Hope, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | March 3, 1938 New York City, United States |
| Resting place | Fairview Cemetery, Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | C.E., B.A.Sc., Ma.E., D.Sc. |
| Alma mater | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute McGill University |
| Notable work | De Pontibus Bridge Engineering (two volumes) |
| Spouse | Ada Everett (m. 1882) |
| Children | 3 |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Civil Engineering |
| Institutions | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Imperial University at Tokyo |
| Practice name | J.A.L. Waddell, Consulting Engineer |
| Significant design | Waddell "A" Truss Bridge Vertical-lift bridge |
| Awards | ASCE Norman Medal (x3) AAE Clausen Gold Medal |
| Signature | |
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Dr. John Alexander Low Waddell (January 15, 1854 – March 3, 1938, often shortened to J.A.L. Waddell and sometimes known as John Alexander Waddell) was a Canadian-American civil engineer and prolific bridge designer, with more than a thousand structures to his credit in the United States, Canada, as well as Mexico, Russia, China, Japan, and New Zealand. Waddell’s work set standards for elevated railroad systems and helped develop materials suitable for large span bridges. His most important contribution was the development of the steam-powered high-lift bridge. Waddell was a widely respected writer on bridge design and engineering theory, as well as an advocate for quality in higher education engineering programs. The company he founded in 1887, 'J.A.L. Waddell, Consulting Engineer,' would eventually become the modern day Hardesty & Hanover, a leading moveable bridge engineering firm. Many of Waddell's surviving bridges are now considered historic landmarks.