Public Figure Profiles

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (9 April 1806 – 15 September 1859) was an English civil engineer who is considered "one of the most ingenious and prolific figures in engineering history," "one of the 19th-century engineering giants," and "one of the greatest figures of the Industrial Revolution, [who] changed the face of the English landscape with his groundbreaking designs and ingenious constructions." Brunel built dockyards, the Great Western Railway (GWR), a series of steamships including the first propeller-driven transatlantic steamship, and numerous important bridges and tunnels. His designs revolutionised public transport and modern engineering.

Though Brunel's projects were not always successful, they often contained innovative solutions to long-standing engineering problems. During his career, Brunel achieved many engineering firsts, including assisting in the building of the first tunnel under a navigable river (the River Thames) and the development of the SS Great Britain, the first propeller-driven, ocean-going iron ship, which, when launched in 1843, was the largest ship ever built.On the GWR, Brunel set standards for a well-built railway, using careful surveys to minimise gradients and curves. This necessitated expensive construction techniques, new bridges, new viaducts, and the two-mile-long (3.2 km) Box Tunnel. One controversial feature was the "broad gauge" of 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm), instead of what was later to be known as "standard gauge" of 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). He astonished Britain by proposing to extend the GWR westward to North America by building steam-powered, iron-hulled ships. He designed and built three ships that revolutionised naval engineering: the SS Great Western (1838), the SS Great Britain (1843), and the SS Great Eastern (1859).

In 2002, Brunel was placed second in a BBC public poll to determine the "100 Greatest Britons." In 2006, the bicentenary of his birth, a major programme of events celebrated his life and work under the name Brunel 200.

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Some of their strengths

Isambard Kingdom Brunel has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Brave, Energetic, Passionate, Creative, Optimistic, and Bold.

Independent and Brave

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Isambard Kingdom Brunel is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who is known for being fun and creative.

Helpful and Supportive

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Isambard Kingdom Brunel well know them as someone who can be accepting, supportive, and productive, like a garden.

Optimistic and Frank

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Isambard Kingdom Brunel as someone who is optimistic, principled, adventurous, and direct.

A person who isn't shy about expressing their opinions, loves competition, loves learning things themself, who is known for being inventive and original, and who loves being surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Stable and Creative

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Isambard Kingdom Brunel is someone who thrives in volatile situations, and who tends to be a source of stability and comfort for others who are experiencing challenging times .

They are also someone who is intuitive, imaginative, and an agent of change, and who is always dreaming of life's great possibilities and partnering with people to try to achieve those possibilities.

Independent and Dynamic

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Isambard Kingdom Brunel tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.

Some of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's challenges

While Isambard Kingdom Brunel has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Isambard Kingdom Brunel can be Short-tempered, Impulsive, Careless, Pushy, Restless, Rebellious, and Emotional.

Short-tempered and Impulsive

One of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.

Pushy and Restless

Isambard Kingdom Brunel is someone who can be arrogant and bossy, who can have difficulty concentrating and focusing, be unable to separate emotions from business decisions, and who can engage in excessive spending in support of an expensive lifestyle and habits.

Aggressive and Domineering

Finally, Isambard Kingdom Brunel also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.

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