A monumental oversight (Wizbang)

Over at Joust The Facts last week, Giacomo linked to this article seeking the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. I don't know enough to discuss the merits of most of them, but I was sorely offended by the sole American representative on the list -- the Statue of Liberty. Of all the wondrous man-made things in America, they chose a statue built and presented by the French as a sop for siding with the Confederacy during our Civil War.

I took that as a challenge, and started wondering about what American icon should be on that list. My first thought was to get snarky about plastic surgery, and mention Pamela Anderson, Joan Rivers, Michael Jackson, or Cher. But I thought better of it, and instead came up with three that I think will stand the test of time.

1) The Hoover Dam.

2) Mount Rushmore.

3) The Apollo 11 Lunar Module.

My criteria were historical significance, sheer magnificence, and iconic status. Tourist appeal would also be nice. (Granted, we can't expect much of a tourism boost on that last one...)

So, what would you like to see as America's contribution to a Seven Wonders Of The Modern World?

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Comments (39)

Internet.... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Stephen Macklin | October 22, 2006 5:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Stephen Macklin:

Internet.

Posted on October 22, 2006 17:29

I would add the Niagara pow... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by chsw10605 | October 22, 2006 5:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

chsw10605:

I would add the Niagara power stations, still in use today, which were the first large-scale hydroelectric
facilities. These pre-date Hoover Dam by about 40 years.

I would also add Disney World, which represents American commercialization of mass culture.

Lastly, I would add the Flatiron Building in New York City as it was the first "skyscraper" with steel frame/curtain wall construction and high speed elevators

Posted on October 22, 2006 17:46

The pyramids are a wonder o... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by engineer | October 22, 2006 5:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

engineer:

The pyramids are a wonder of the 'ancient' world, why include them in the 'modern' world? In fact, several of the items really don't apply to the 'modern' world. I think there needs to a specific time that differentiates between 'ancient' and 'modern'.

Posted on October 22, 2006 17:49

I like Hoover Dam and Mr. R... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Giacomo | October 22, 2006 5:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Giacomo:

I like Hoover Dam and Mr. Rushmore, but I'm more of a traditionalist - major construction/architecture - for these things.

I'd have put the World Trade Center on the list - an amazing engineering feat. A host of bridges could qualify - maybe this one. Or this one. But not this one. And definitely not this one.

Let's see what everyone comes up with.

Posted on October 22, 2006 17:56

Golden Gate BridgeTh... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by dom | October 22, 2006 5:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

dom:

Golden Gate Bridge
The White House
Cap Canaveral

First thing that popped int... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by 914 | October 22, 2006 6:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

914:

First thing that popped into My head was "Internet" but I see Stephen beat Me to it.

The U.S. Highway system is a massive achievement that allows for the whole country to run 24/7 everyday of the year.

pretty impressive

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:06

Atomic and then Nuclear Ene... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by willy | October 22, 2006 6:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

willy:

Atomic and then Nuclear Energy

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:12

I hate the French worse tha... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Kirk | October 22, 2006 6:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kirk:

I hate the French worse than I hate the terrorists.

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:26

Hoover Dam gets my vote. A... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Luke | October 22, 2006 6:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Luke:

Hoover Dam gets my vote. Awesome feat for th 1930s.

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:33

How about the Empire State ... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by David | October 22, 2006 6:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

David:

How about the Empire State Building.

Just to date me, Route 66, changed the face of America. Pick you favorite Aircraft Carrier.

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:37

Just read the original stor... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by gregory | October 22, 2006 6:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

gregory:

Just read the original story, it amazes me that St Peters Basilica in Rome is not on that list.

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:44

Hoover DamThe Gold... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Hermie | October 22, 2006 6:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Hermie:

Hoover Dam

The Golden Gate Bridge

Mount Rushmore

Empire State Building

The Pentagon Building

The Boeing 747

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:45

Phone systemThe wo... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by yetanotherjohn | October 22, 2006 6:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

yetanotherjohn:

Phone system

The worlds largest machine which is literally physically connected around the globe with copper wire. An american invention and so reliable people don't even realize it is there until a natural disaster takes it away.

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:46

Crazy Horse Monument. Much ... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by Mike Boelter | October 22, 2006 6:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mike Boelter:

Crazy Horse Monument. Much larger in size than Mount Rushmore and totaly constructed to date with private funds on Indian property donated by the Indian tribes.

Notice NO GOVERNMENT MONEY i.e. your tax dollars were not spent on this effort.

For other US Wonders how about the St. Louis Arch?

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:51

Crazy Horse monument... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by lawhawk | October 22, 2006 6:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

lawhawk:

Crazy Horse monument
Stone Mountain
Mt. Rushmore
Brooklyn Bridge - setting the example for dreaming and building big.
Erie Canal

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:52

Independence Hall, PA... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by PSGInfinity | October 22, 2006 6:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

PSGInfinity:

Independence Hall, PA
The Panama Canal
The transcontinental railroad
The clipper ship
The Model T

Seconded:
Hoover Dam
The phone system
The internet

Posted on October 22, 2006 18:58

The Panama Canal.... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Scott | October 22, 2006 7:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Scott:

The Panama Canal.

Posted on October 22, 2006 19:00

Another vote for the Inters... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Arthur | October 22, 2006 7:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Arthur:

Another vote for the Interstate Highway System.

Posted on October 22, 2006 19:02

I assume PSGInfinity means ... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by David | October 22, 2006 7:25 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I assume PSGInfinity means the Yankee Clipper, not just any clipper ship design.

Posted on October 22, 2006 19:25

1) The Big Dig<br /... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by robert | October 22, 2006 7:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

robert:

1) The Big Dig
2) Nobel Peace Prize for Yasser Arafat
3) Giving away the Panama Canal
4) Spandex
5) Who shot JFK?
6) French Diplomacy
7) 56 games

Posted on October 22, 2006 19:48

Empire State Building... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by Kristian | October 22, 2006 8:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kristian:

Empire State Building
Pentagon
Manhattan Project
Invasion of Normandy
Apollo Space Program
SR-71 Black Bird

Note, all of these were conztructed/completed in frankly stunningly short time from start of program (design to completion).

Also,
Panama Canal

Posted on October 22, 2006 20:33

Don't forget the Colossus o... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by McCain | October 22, 2006 8:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

McCain:

Don't forget the Colossus of Ted Kennedy's Head and the Political Seven Wonders of the World:

http://www.rightlinx.com/?p=434

Posted on October 22, 2006 20:52

The Wright flyer. ... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Ken McCracken | October 22, 2006 8:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Ken McCracken:

The Wright flyer.

Posted on October 22, 2006 20:53

Gateway Arch, St Lou... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Imhotep | October 22, 2006 10:25 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Imhotep:

Gateway Arch, St Louis, Missouri.....home of the 2006 World Champions.

Posted on October 22, 2006 22:25

The constitution of the uni... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by dave | October 22, 2006 10:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

dave:

The constitution of the united states and the bill of rights.

Posted on October 22, 2006 22:31

The arch itself is not terr... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by Dave Schuler | October 22, 2006 11:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Dave Schuler:

The arch itself is not terribly remarkable. However, the elevator that goes up one leg and down the other is really a marvel.

BTW, does Pam Anderson count as one wonder or two?

Posted on October 22, 2006 23:04

Seconded or thirded - The G... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by JD | October 22, 2006 11:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JD:

Seconded or thirded - The Golden Gate Bridge. Difficult to construct, breathtaking in scope, and just fargin' beatiful to behold.

Submitted for your consideration: USS Nautilus. Or, USS Nimitz and its follow-on sister ships in that classification.

Posted on October 22, 2006 23:21

I vote for the Internet. </... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by RK | October 22, 2006 11:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

RK:

I vote for the Internet.

Posted on October 22, 2006 23:44

Nitromethane, baby!... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by YFS | October 23, 2006 3:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

YFS:

Nitromethane, baby!

Posted on October 23, 2006 03:33

Their list is simple - noth... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by JAT | October 23, 2006 8:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JAT:

Their list is simple - nothing in America will be included in the final list.

Missing: Arlington Cemetery - final resting place of those who helped free Europe from Nazi Germany, and helped free peoples from tyranny in so many different lands and wars.

Sad...

Posted on October 23, 2006 08:33

Ken McCracken. Not so fast,... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Steve Crickmore | October 23, 2006 9:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Steve Crickmore:

Ken McCracken. Not so fast, today is the hundredth anniversary of Santos Dumont's a Brazilian's inaugural flight. From Wikipedia.. (Santos Dumont)"finally achieved his dream of flying on an airplane in October 23 of 1906, when, piloting the 14 Bis before a large crowd of witnesses, he flew a distance of 60 metres (197 ft) at a height of 2-3 m. This well-documented event was the first flight verified by the Aero-Club De France of a powered heavier-than-air machine in Europe, and the first public demonstration in the world of an aircraft taking off from an ordinary airstrip with a non-detachable landing gear and on its own power (self-propelled)"

Posted on October 23, 2006 09:29

You're wrong on the Statue ... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Henry | October 23, 2006 9:49 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Henry:

You're wrong on the Statue of Liberty. That statue was originally intended for the Suez Canal, but that failed, so the french sent it to us.
For arcitecture and structural marvels...yea I would say Mount Rushmore (you say Crazy Horse had no government funding whatsoever, well maybe not directly, damn near everything at that size has government subsidization on some level). Modern Aircraft Carriers (or modern nuclear submarines), modern freeway systems, modern railroad, modern aircraft, for high-speed, think the X-43a, recorded @ Mach 9.8 (NASA SCRAMJet project), San Fransisco Bay Bridge (crosses Treasure Island), for pure release (controlled or uncontrolled) of power: Nuclear Fusion/Fission, what else did I leave out?

Posted on October 23, 2006 09:49

"BTW, does Pam Anderson cou... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Faith+1 | October 23, 2006 9:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Faith+1:

"BTW, does Pam Anderson count as one wonder or two?"

She would have to be the Canadian submission.

Posted on October 23, 2006 09:59

* Internal combustion engin... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by Dave A. | October 23, 2006 2:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Dave A.:

* Internal combustion engine
* Atom bomb
* Duck tape

Posted on October 23, 2006 14:10

I am not a New Yorker nor e... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by kbiel | October 23, 2006 3:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

kbiel:

I am not a New Yorker nor even a fan of the city, but I would have to nominate the whole of Manhattan has a wonder of the world.

Posted on October 23, 2006 15:32

Golden Gate Bridge, an incr... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by Corky Boyd | October 23, 2006 5:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Corky Boyd:

Golden Gate Bridge, an incredible engineering feat, crowned by its sheer beauty.

The Internet, the most profound communications, educational and societal development since the invention of movable type.

SR-71, still the most advanced aircraft in the world, after 40 years.

Posted on October 23, 2006 17:47

If it can be anything, then... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by Granddaddy Long Legs | October 23, 2006 11:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Granddaddy Long Legs:

If it can be anything, then it has to be the Space Shuttle. I know it's outdated, but it's still the most complex piece of machinery on the planet.

If it must be an engineering feat, then it's the Panama Canal. I know it's not exactly here, but we built it -- after it claimed the lives of over 20,000 Frenchmen (and locals laborers). We came in and drained the swamps, built cities and infrastructure, and built the canal. We can brag about carving some heads on a mountain, but the Panama Canal changed the world.

Posted on October 23, 2006 23:55

So, what would you like ... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by Veeshir | October 24, 2006 11:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Veeshir:

How about America itself? By far the greatest wonder of the modern world.

Posted on October 24, 2006 11:54

The Apollo Program blows th... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by charles | October 25, 2006 1:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

charles:

The Apollo Program blows them all out of the water. Greater than the Manhattan Project and the Panama Canal combined. Greater than the pyrimids were for the egyptians. Cost America more than 200$(1960s) from every man, woman and child in the USA. The Saturn V was a 36 story skyscraper tuned more precisly than a swiss watch. Do you realise we couldn't get to the moon today if we wanted to. Honestly, nothing else is even close.

Posted on October 25, 2006 01:48

A monumental oversight

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