In terms of what they did, the great engineers of the 19th century may be known for their magnificent achievements. But upon reading this article today, I'm inclined to think this may be the most important fundamental engineering achievement of the 19th century. Managing to convince your pointy-headed pasha through simple cost analysis of the impracticality of their idea...simple genius.

Linant de Bellefonds, we salute you.
(via the always intriguing Laputan Logic)