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Primary sourceArtifact19th century (photographed 2009)

Tide Recorder Designed by Brunel for the Royal Albert Bridge Survey

Isambard Kingdom Brunel · 19th century (photographed 2009)

An instrument Brunel designed to measure tides on the River Tamar while planning his Royal Albert Bridge.

Brunel designed this instrument himself to gather the tidal data needed for his bridge project.

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A wooden glass-fronted cabinet on a black plinth housing a tide recording machine. A clock face is visible on the left, a large white paper-covered drum sits on top, and brass wheels and a red crank handle are mounted on the mechanism. Behind it stands a large black iron object.
Tide recording machine designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Saltash, Cornwall. Photograph by Geof Sheppard, 2009.

About this source

What it is

This photograph, taken in 2009, shows a tide-recording machine designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He built it to measure the tidal range on the River Tamar at Saltash, Cornwall, as part of his survey work for the Royal Albert Bridge, completed in 1859 for the Cornwall Railway.

Why it matters

The instrument reveals Brunel's attention to scientific detail before construction began. Measuring tides accurately was essential for building a bridge safely over a tidal river, showing how his engineering combined practical calculation with ambitious design.

Look closer

  • What does this instrument suggest about the planning behind large engineering projects?
  • Why would Brunel need precise tidal data before building a bridge?
  • What does the machine's design tell us about the technology available in his time?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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