Geocomposites, plastics, polymers… modern road builders use a range of materials to make roads stronger and safer.
Engineers of the past had a much simpler toolkit. Without modern manufacturing, they relied entirely on whatever nature provided: stone, sand, and wood.
The most famous stone roads are those of the Roman Empire. The network stretched for about 90,000 kilometers. These roads outlasted the empire itself and later became the foundation of Europe’s transport system.
Just as impressive were the stone routes built by the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations. The wheel had not been invented in pre-Columbian America, so they were mainly used by pedestrians or pack animals. Some of these ancient roads still survive in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina, including stretches that climb the Andes to nearly 5,000 meters above sea level.
In Russia, wood was the main road-building material for centuries. Builders laid wide planks over long support logs, and when the surface wore out, they simply added a new layer on top. In Novgorod, archaeologists have found as many as twenty-five layers stacked this way, dating from the 10th to the 15th centuries.
A new approach appeared in 1820, when engineer Vasily Gurev introduced wooden paving made from end-grain blocks. The first road of this type was built in St. Petersburg, and the idea later spread to Europe and the United States. These wooden surfaces were quieter than stone but less durable.
P.S. Imagine explaining potholes as a cultural feature.
🪨⛏️🗺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_ExplanationCrew
Engineers of the past had a much simpler toolkit. Without modern manufacturing, they relied entirely on whatever nature provided: stone, sand, and wood.
The most famous stone roads are those of the Roman Empire. The network stretched for about 90,000 kilometers. These roads outlasted the empire itself and later became the foundation of Europe’s transport system.
Just as impressive were the stone routes built by the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations. The wheel had not been invented in pre-Columbian America, so they were mainly used by pedestrians or pack animals. Some of these ancient roads still survive in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina, including stretches that climb the Andes to nearly 5,000 meters above sea level.
In Russia, wood was the main road-building material for centuries. Builders laid wide planks over long support logs, and when the surface wore out, they simply added a new layer on top. In Novgorod, archaeologists have found as many as twenty-five layers stacked this way, dating from the 10th to the 15th centuries.
A new approach appeared in 1820, when engineer Vasily Gurev introduced wooden paving made from end-grain blocks. The first road of this type was built in St. Petersburg, and the idea later spread to Europe and the United States. These wooden surfaces were quieter than stone but less durable.
P.S. Imagine explaining potholes as a cultural feature.
🪨⛏️🗺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_ExplanationCrew
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Some railways dive through tunnels; others seem to climb straight into the sky.
In Hong Kong, that wonder is the Peak Tram, the famous funicular that carries passengers up to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
One of the oldest funiculars in Asia, it has been running since 1888. The route is short, just over a kilometer, but the climb is steep. In some sections the gradient reaches 27 degrees, and as the tram ascends, the skyscrapers outside appear to tilt along with you.
Each car is equipped with three independent braking systems: main, service, and emergency. Two steel cables, each several centimeters thick, can support loads of more than 100 tons. The tram travels at around 22 km/h, reaching an elevation of 370 meters in about seven minutes.
Two trams run in opposite directions throughout the day. Before every trip, an automated system performs a full safety check with exceptional precision. Fun fact: the Peak Tram was built with a Russian track gauge of 1,520 mm, which is quite rare in China.
P.S. Peak performance, literally.
☁️🌳🚋
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
In Hong Kong, that wonder is the Peak Tram, the famous funicular that carries passengers up to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
One of the oldest funiculars in Asia, it has been running since 1888. The route is short, just over a kilometer, but the climb is steep. In some sections the gradient reaches 27 degrees, and as the tram ascends, the skyscrapers outside appear to tilt along with you.
Each car is equipped with three independent braking systems: main, service, and emergency. Two steel cables, each several centimeters thick, can support loads of more than 100 tons. The tram travels at around 22 km/h, reaching an elevation of 370 meters in about seven minutes.
Two trams run in opposite directions throughout the day. Before every trip, an automated system performs a full safety check with exceptional precision. Fun fact: the Peak Tram was built with a Russian track gauge of 1,520 mm, which is quite rare in China.
P.S. Peak performance, literally.
☁️🌳🚋
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
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The city of Porto on the Douro River often finds itself overshadowed by Lisbon. Though it also played a decisive role in shaping Portugal itself. The country’s name comes from the Roman settlement of Portus Cale that once stood here, and the city is also the birthplace of world-famous Port wine. Porto’s bridges are another source of pride and easily hold their own against those in the capital. Seven span the Douro, but three caught our eye.
Maria Pia Bridge (1877)
The Douro cuts through a narrow and steep gorge, which demanded inventive solutions from 19th-century engineers. The city turned to a young French specialist in iron construction, Gustave Eiffel. He completed an elegant arch bridge in 1877 with the longest span in the world at that time, measuring 160 meters. It quickly became a symbol of Porto and helped establish Eiffel’s international reputation. Today the bridge survives as a protected railway monument.
Arrábida Bridge (1963)
By the middle of the 20th century metal structures had gone out of fashion, and prestressed concrete became the preferred material. The Arrábida Bridge, completed in 1963, set a new world record with a 270-meter concrete arch. It carries six lanes of road traffic and echoes the form of Eiffel’s earlier work.
Infante Bridge (2003)
The Infante Bridge represents a new generation of design in the 21st century. Its most striking feature is the exceptionally shallow curve of its 280-meter concrete arch, which rises only 25 meters from base to crown. The arch reaches lightly from cliff to cliff while the river flows roughly 75 meters below. The bridge was named for Prince Henry the Navigator (Infante of Portugal is a royal title given to a prince who is not the heir apparent to the throne).
P.S. Great engineering, like great wine, only gets better with time.
🗼🖇🌉
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_Architecture
Maria Pia Bridge (1877)
The Douro cuts through a narrow and steep gorge, which demanded inventive solutions from 19th-century engineers. The city turned to a young French specialist in iron construction, Gustave Eiffel. He completed an elegant arch bridge in 1877 with the longest span in the world at that time, measuring 160 meters. It quickly became a symbol of Porto and helped establish Eiffel’s international reputation. Today the bridge survives as a protected railway monument.
Arrábida Bridge (1963)
By the middle of the 20th century metal structures had gone out of fashion, and prestressed concrete became the preferred material. The Arrábida Bridge, completed in 1963, set a new world record with a 270-meter concrete arch. It carries six lanes of road traffic and echoes the form of Eiffel’s earlier work.
Infante Bridge (2003)
The Infante Bridge represents a new generation of design in the 21st century. Its most striking feature is the exceptionally shallow curve of its 280-meter concrete arch, which rises only 25 meters from base to crown. The arch reaches lightly from cliff to cliff while the river flows roughly 75 meters below. The bridge was named for Prince Henry the Navigator (Infante of Portugal is a royal title given to a prince who is not the heir apparent to the throne).
P.S. Great engineering, like great wine, only gets better with time.
🗼🖇🌉
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_Architecture
Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci’s famous drawing of a man inside a circle and a square, the Vitruvian Man, was inspired by the ideas of the Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio?
Very little is known about Vitruvius, who lived from about 80 to 15 BCE. He worked as an engineer, helped design military siege equipment, and contributed to major projects such as the basilica in Fano, an aqueduct in Rome, and bridges across the Rhine in ancient Gaul (modern Western Europe).
His most important legacy is the work “Ten Books on Architecture.” In it, he described three principles that shaped classical architecture:
Durability (Firmitas)
A building must be stable and long-lasting, with foundations on solid ground and materials chosen wisely.
Utility (Utilitas)
A structure should serve the needs of its occupants, with a layout that supports its function.
Beauty (Venustas)
Architecture should be visually harmonious, with balance and symmetry at its core.
These ideas, known today as the Vitruvian Triad, continue to guide architects and builders around the world.
P.S. Good things come in threes:N P S
🛖🧱🔨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_Architecture
Very little is known about Vitruvius, who lived from about 80 to 15 BCE. He worked as an engineer, helped design military siege equipment, and contributed to major projects such as the basilica in Fano, an aqueduct in Rome, and bridges across the Rhine in ancient Gaul (modern Western Europe).
His most important legacy is the work “Ten Books on Architecture.” In it, he described three principles that shaped classical architecture:
Durability (Firmitas)
A building must be stable and long-lasting, with foundations on solid ground and materials chosen wisely.
Utility (Utilitas)
A structure should serve the needs of its occupants, with a layout that supports its function.
Beauty (Venustas)
Architecture should be visually harmonious, with balance and symmetry at its core.
These ideas, known today as the Vitruvian Triad, continue to guide architects and builders around the world.
P.S. Good things come in threes:
🛖🧱🔨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History #PS_NPS_Architecture
One of Japan’s most beautiful railway routes is the Tadami Line, a 135-kilometre journey through remote countryside and untouched nature. It links the prefectures of Niigata and Fukushima, offering a glimpse of rural Japan far removed from the megacities.
The line opened in stages beginning in 1928. In 2011, an earthquake and heavy rain damaged several sections, leaving much of the route out of service for more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2022 that the Tadami Line was fully restored.
The route is also celebrated for its dramatic seasonal changes. In spring and summer, the Tadami River turns a clear turquoise, autumn brings vivid red and gold foliage, and winter blankets the valley in deep snow. Traditional Japanese calendars divide the year into 72 micro-seasons, making each trip subtly unique.
Its most iconic landmark is the Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, where the combination of steel arches and surrounding nature creates a view sought after by photographers from around the world.
P.S. The journey may matter more than where it takes you.
🗻🗾💺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
The line opened in stages beginning in 1928. In 2011, an earthquake and heavy rain damaged several sections, leaving much of the route out of service for more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2022 that the Tadami Line was fully restored.
The route is also celebrated for its dramatic seasonal changes. In spring and summer, the Tadami River turns a clear turquoise, autumn brings vivid red and gold foliage, and winter blankets the valley in deep snow. Traditional Japanese calendars divide the year into 72 micro-seasons, making each trip subtly unique.
Its most iconic landmark is the Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, where the combination of steel arches and surrounding nature creates a view sought after by photographers from around the world.
P.S. The journey may matter more than where it takes you.
🗻🗾💺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
In June 2025, part of the road in the Port of Famagusta suddenly collapsed, and underneath it a tomb from the 3rd to 2nd centuries BCE was found. Inside, archaeologists discovered human bones, everyday household items, bronze coins, and even very pieces of gold.
These ancient finds remind us once again how many different peoples and countries have struggled for control of this port city on the eastern coast of Cyprus throughout history.
Famagusta has had several names throughout history, but its ancient Greek name was Ammochostos, meaning hidden in sand. It was built on the ruins of Arsinoe, a settlement founded in the 3rd century BCE by Ptolemy II, the king of Egypt. From the 12th to the 17th century, the city was ruled in turn by King Richard the Lionheart of England, the Knights Templar, King of Cyprus and titular King of Jerusalem Peter I, the Genoese, the Venetians, and later the Ottoman Turks.
After World War I, Cyprus became a British colony. The British expanded the port and built new stone piers. When Cyprus gained independence in 1960, the new government continued modernizing the harbor and nearly doubled the length of its docks. Famagusta developed into an important center of international trade and a major tourist destination.
The Cypriot government planned additional upgrades to the harbor, but after the military coup of 1974 the city became part of the territory controlled by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The Greek population was forced to leave, and the buffer zone, known as Varosha, which had once been one of the most luxurious resort areas in the world, was completely closed to residents. A popular tourist destination turned into a ghost city. Only in 2020 did the authorities of Northern Cyprus lift the restrictions on visiting this part of Famagusta.
P.S. Archaeologists are thrilled; the road crew… not so much.
📜🕯🗺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
These ancient finds remind us once again how many different peoples and countries have struggled for control of this port city on the eastern coast of Cyprus throughout history.
Famagusta has had several names throughout history, but its ancient Greek name was Ammochostos, meaning hidden in sand. It was built on the ruins of Arsinoe, a settlement founded in the 3rd century BCE by Ptolemy II, the king of Egypt. From the 12th to the 17th century, the city was ruled in turn by King Richard the Lionheart of England, the Knights Templar, King of Cyprus and titular King of Jerusalem Peter I, the Genoese, the Venetians, and later the Ottoman Turks.
After World War I, Cyprus became a British colony. The British expanded the port and built new stone piers. When Cyprus gained independence in 1960, the new government continued modernizing the harbor and nearly doubled the length of its docks. Famagusta developed into an important center of international trade and a major tourist destination.
The Cypriot government planned additional upgrades to the harbor, but after the military coup of 1974 the city became part of the territory controlled by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The Greek population was forced to leave, and the buffer zone, known as Varosha, which had once been one of the most luxurious resort areas in the world, was completely closed to residents. A popular tourist destination turned into a ghost city. Only in 2020 did the authorities of Northern Cyprus lift the restrictions on visiting this part of Famagusta.
P.S. Archaeologists are thrilled; the road crew… not so much.
📜🕯🗺
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
Mikhail Posokhin was one of the most influential architects of the Soviet era, playing a defining role in shaping the face of modern Moscow.
Among his major projects were the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, the COMECON building, New Arbat Avenue, the Kudrinskaya Square Building, the Ministry of Defense complex, the Olympiyskiy sports center, and the MGIMO campus.
Over more than two decades as Moscow’s chief architect, Posokhin left an enduring mark on the city’s development. He frequently worked with large creative teams and design institutes.
His architectural reach extended well beyond the Soviet Union. Posokhin’s designs were used for Soviet embassies in Brazil and the United States, as well as for a resort complex in Abkhazia and the USSR pavilions at the 1967 Montreal Expo and the 1970 Osaka Expo.
He also played a significant role in the evolution of Soviet mass housing. Working with Ashot Mndoyants and engineer Vitaly Lagutenko, he helped develop a method for constructing frame-panel residential buildings that became widely adopted.
In the early 1970s, under Posokhin’s leadership, a new master plan for Moscow was drafted. The system of planning zones introduced in this project inspired Moscow’s present-day administrative divisions.
P.S. Moscow should list him as a co-author.
🔖🖋🧰
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture
Among his major projects were the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, the COMECON building, New Arbat Avenue, the Kudrinskaya Square Building, the Ministry of Defense complex, the Olympiyskiy sports center, and the MGIMO campus.
Over more than two decades as Moscow’s chief architect, Posokhin left an enduring mark on the city’s development. He frequently worked with large creative teams and design institutes.
His architectural reach extended well beyond the Soviet Union. Posokhin’s designs were used for Soviet embassies in Brazil and the United States, as well as for a resort complex in Abkhazia and the USSR pavilions at the 1967 Montreal Expo and the 1970 Osaka Expo.
He also played a significant role in the evolution of Soviet mass housing. Working with Ashot Mndoyants and engineer Vitaly Lagutenko, he helped develop a method for constructing frame-panel residential buildings that became widely adopted.
In the early 1970s, under Posokhin’s leadership, a new master plan for Moscow was drafted. The system of planning zones introduced in this project inspired Moscow’s present-day administrative divisions.
P.S. Moscow should list him as a co-author.
🔖🖋🧰
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture
Want to dive into Poseidon's underwater kingdom and then soar up to Zeus's realm?
You can do just that in Naples at the Toledo metro station.
Opened in 2012, the station is located 50 meters below ground, setting a record for the Naples metro system. Architect Oscar Tusquets didn’t just create a transportation hub; he crafted a true work of modern art, inspired by the sea and light.
The design features shades of blue and silver, evoking the depths of the ocean. Mosaics and light installations play with optical illusions, while the highlight of the station is a massive conical hole in the ceiling, allowing natural light to pour in and blurring the lines between the underground and the sky.
Toledo station has been called one of the most beautiful metro stations in Europe and even the world. The Daily Telegraph included it in its list of the best metro stations on the planet. It’s a place where architecture and art come together in a way that feels worthy of the gods.
P.S. Passes to Olympus are available at the ticket office.
🚆🌩🧜
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
You can do just that in Naples at the Toledo metro station.
Opened in 2012, the station is located 50 meters below ground, setting a record for the Naples metro system. Architect Oscar Tusquets didn’t just create a transportation hub; he crafted a true work of modern art, inspired by the sea and light.
The design features shades of blue and silver, evoking the depths of the ocean. Mosaics and light installations play with optical illusions, while the highlight of the station is a massive conical hole in the ceiling, allowing natural light to pour in and blurring the lines between the underground and the sky.
Toledo station has been called one of the most beautiful metro stations in Europe and even the world. The Daily Telegraph included it in its list of the best metro stations on the planet. It’s a place where architecture and art come together in a way that feels worthy of the gods.
P.S. Passes to Olympus are available at the ticket office.
🚆🌩🧜
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
A delegation from GC NPS, led by CEO Alexey Krapivin, took part in the Russian-Uzbekistani Intergovernmental Commission.
As part of the Commission’s program, representatives of leading Russian companies, together with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, met with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the meeting, Alexey Krapivin discussed the possibility of GC NPS participating in the construction of the Tashkent-Samarkand highway. He noted that the initiatives were positively received and supported by the President.
Krapivin also outlined the experience and expertise GC NPS has been gaining during the construction of Russia’s first high-speed railway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The company’s advanced technologies and unique engineering solutions could be applied to high-speed rail projects planned in Uzbekistan.
The agenda also included a business forum, where GC NPS Deputy CEO for Commerce Dmitry Bolotsky highlighted the results of cooperation with Uzbekistani partners on localizing the production of train control systems. He reported that the current level of localization exceeds 60%. To further increase this figure, the company plans to expand its product range and begin manufacturing printed circuit boards at the facility opened in August 2025 at the Chirchik Technopark.
Participants were also briefed on ongoing GC NPS infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. With the company’s involvement, more than 560 kilometers of railway lines and several facilities of the Tashkent Metro have been equipped with modern digital railway automation systems.
P.S. Strong partnerships keep everything on track, sometimes literally.
Photo: https://t.me/shmirziyoyev
🇺🇿👥🚄
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_News #PS_NPS_Projects
As part of the Commission’s program, representatives of leading Russian companies, together with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, met with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the meeting, Alexey Krapivin discussed the possibility of GC NPS participating in the construction of the Tashkent-Samarkand highway. He noted that the initiatives were positively received and supported by the President.
Krapivin also outlined the experience and expertise GC NPS has been gaining during the construction of Russia’s first high-speed railway between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The company’s advanced technologies and unique engineering solutions could be applied to high-speed rail projects planned in Uzbekistan.
The agenda also included a business forum, where GC NPS Deputy CEO for Commerce Dmitry Bolotsky highlighted the results of cooperation with Uzbekistani partners on localizing the production of train control systems. He reported that the current level of localization exceeds 60%. To further increase this figure, the company plans to expand its product range and begin manufacturing printed circuit boards at the facility opened in August 2025 at the Chirchik Technopark.
Participants were also briefed on ongoing GC NPS infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. With the company’s involvement, more than 560 kilometers of railway lines and several facilities of the Tashkent Metro have been equipped with modern digital railway automation systems.
P.S. Strong partnerships keep everything on track, sometimes literally.
Photo: https://t.me/shmirziyoyev
🇺🇿👥🚄
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_News #PS_NPS_Projects
A tiny island measuring 120 × 75 meters, slightly larger than a football field and shaped like a fan, served as Japan’s only window to the outside world for two centuries. This was the port of Dejima in Nagasaki Bay.
The artificial island was built in the 1630s under Japan’s sakoku policy, to isolate foreign influence. At first, Portuguese merchants used it as a warehouse area. In 1641, however, Japan severed ties with Portugal, and the only Europeans allowed to trade through Dejima were the Dutch.
Life on the island was strictly regulated. No more than 12 foreigners could live there at the same time, and they were constantly monitored by Japanese officials. Walks were allowed only along two streets, and leaving the island required written permission.
Dejima was surrounded by a tall fence with iron spikes. The gates opened only when ships arrived, and the number of vessels was strictly limited to five per year. Over two centuries, a total of 606 ships docked at the port. Early cargo included silk, cotton, and medicine, and later sugar was added to the trade. The port introduced the Japanese to coffee, chocolate, beer, pianos, oil paints, and billiards. The Dutch exported copper, silver, porcelain, rice, and incense.
After treaties in the mid‑19th century opened Japanese ports to other Western powers, Dejima lost its unique status. Eventually, the island was integrated into the expanding city of Nagasaki, though today its heritage survives as a historic site.
P.S. Coffee in exchange for a private island getaway? Good times.
🏝🎎🚤
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
The artificial island was built in the 1630s under Japan’s sakoku policy, to isolate foreign influence. At first, Portuguese merchants used it as a warehouse area. In 1641, however, Japan severed ties with Portugal, and the only Europeans allowed to trade through Dejima were the Dutch.
Life on the island was strictly regulated. No more than 12 foreigners could live there at the same time, and they were constantly monitored by Japanese officials. Walks were allowed only along two streets, and leaving the island required written permission.
Dejima was surrounded by a tall fence with iron spikes. The gates opened only when ships arrived, and the number of vessels was strictly limited to five per year. Over two centuries, a total of 606 ships docked at the port. Early cargo included silk, cotton, and medicine, and later sugar was added to the trade. The port introduced the Japanese to coffee, chocolate, beer, pianos, oil paints, and billiards. The Dutch exported copper, silver, porcelain, rice, and incense.
After treaties in the mid‑19th century opened Japanese ports to other Western powers, Dejima lost its unique status. Eventually, the island was integrated into the expanding city of Nagasaki, though today its heritage survives as a historic site.
P.S. Coffee in exchange for a private island getaway? Good times.
🏝🎎🚤
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
The first automobile was brought to Antarctica in 1908. Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton intended to reach the South Pole in it. The car, specially built by the Scottish company Arrol-Johnston, had a 15-horsepower engine. Unfortunately, the engine would not start in the freezing cold. As a result, Shackleton’s expedition, which used ponies instead, fell 180 miles short of its goal.
Many tried to conquer the South Pole using motor vehicles, but the first to succeed was the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1958. They used Ferguson TE20 tractors modified for Arctic conditions. The following year, a Soviet expedition reached the pole on Kharkovchanka snow vehicles, which were partly based on the design of the T-54 tank.
In the early 1960s, the first reliable non-specialized motor vehicles finally appeared on the southern continent. Australian explorers brought several Volkswagen Beetles, which they hitched to sleds. And in 2006, Americans built the first permanent road in Antarctica, the South Pole Traverse highway, about 1,500 kilometers long.
P.S. It seems the first successful "horsepower" in Antarctica was, in fact, a pony.
🫏🧊⛓️
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained
Many tried to conquer the South Pole using motor vehicles, but the first to succeed was the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1958. They used Ferguson TE20 tractors modified for Arctic conditions. The following year, a Soviet expedition reached the pole on Kharkovchanka snow vehicles, which were partly based on the design of the T-54 tank.
In the early 1960s, the first reliable non-specialized motor vehicles finally appeared on the southern continent. Australian explorers brought several Volkswagen Beetles, which they hitched to sleds. And in 2006, Americans built the first permanent road in Antarctica, the South Pole Traverse highway, about 1,500 kilometers long.
P.S. It seems the first successful "horsepower" in Antarctica was, in fact, a pony.
🫏🧊⛓️
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained
Errare humanum est
“To err is human”
This well-known saying, linked to the Roman philosopher Seneca, reminds us that everyone makes mistakes. But when architects or builders slip up, their errors are far more noticeable and can endure decades or even centuries.
A famous example is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its foundation was too small and the soil beneath it too weak, so the bell tower began to tilt. Engineers have stabilized it, but it still stands at a 3.97° angle. The tower is undoubtedly beautiful. But would it attract as many tourists without that noticeable curve?
Similar “leaning towers” can be found in many parts of the world. Their tilt may come from design or construction issues, but also from sinking soil, natural disasters, strong winds, or other external forces.
Despite these flaws, and sometimes because of them, such buildings have become memorable architectural landmarks. Here are some of the best-known leaning structures around the globe.
P.S. Then again, curvy profiles have always inspired quite the queue.
🏰⏳📏
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture
“To err is human”
This well-known saying, linked to the Roman philosopher Seneca, reminds us that everyone makes mistakes. But when architects or builders slip up, their errors are far more noticeable and can endure decades or even centuries.
A famous example is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its foundation was too small and the soil beneath it too weak, so the bell tower began to tilt. Engineers have stabilized it, but it still stands at a 3.97° angle. The tower is undoubtedly beautiful. But would it attract as many tourists without that noticeable curve?
Similar “leaning towers” can be found in many parts of the world. Their tilt may come from design or construction issues, but also from sinking soil, natural disasters, strong winds, or other external forces.
Despite these flaws, and sometimes because of them, such buildings have become memorable architectural landmarks. Here are some of the best-known leaning structures around the globe.
P.S. Then again, curvy profiles have always inspired quite the queue.
🏰⏳📏
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture