[falcolas]

We think bridges are a very well explored domain. Then something like the Tacoma Narrows incident happens, and we realize how much of a fallacy that really is.

Bridges are unique to their locations and their scale: what works over a creek will not work over a ravine. What works for a pedestrian will not work for a car. What works for a car will not work for a train. What works for a train will not work for a marching army.

[fauigerzigerk]

The Tacoma bridge collapse has a wikipedia entry exactly because bridge building is a very well explored problem and bridges don't usually collapse.

I don't doubt that each bridge comes with unique challenges. But the purpose, user interface and constraints of bridges have remained stable enough for long enough to allow specialisation. That is not the case in many areas of software development.