Donald Roebling
Encyclopedia
Donald Roebling was an eccentric twentieth century American philanthropist
and inventor. 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." He was the great-grandson of John A. Roebling
and the grandson of Colonel Washington A. Roebling, who respectively designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge
.
Born in New York City
, Roebling grew up in his family's mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey
.
On December 19, 1979, the Donald Roebling Estate
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and inventor. He is most famous for inventing the amtrac in 1937, which he originally intended to be a hurricane rescue device. The United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
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
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States." He was the great-grandson of John A. Roebling
John A. Roebling
John Augustus Roebling was a German-born American civil engineer. He is famous for his wire rope suspension bridge designs, in particular, the design of the Brooklyn Bridge.-Early life:...
and the grandson of Colonel Washington A. Roebling, who respectively designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Roebling grew up in his family's mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey
Bernardsville, New Jersey
Bernardsville is a borough and affluent suburb in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bernardsville has the 10th-highest per capita income in the state. Nationwide, Bernardsville ranks 75th among the 100 highest-income places in the United States...
.
On December 19, 1979, the Donald Roebling Estate
Donald Roebling Estate
The Donald Roebling Estate is a historic site in Clearwater, Florida. It was home to inventor Donald Roebling, and is located at 700 Orange Avenue. On December 19, 1979, it was added to the U.S...
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.