Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Roosevelt and the Renegade (Panama Disaster 2)
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May 23, 2025 The podcast delves into the dramatic history of the Panama Canal project, uncovering the immense challenges faced by President Roosevelt and his team after the French failed. John Stevens emerges as a key figure, spotting critical problems and employing creative solutions. Roosevelt's hands-on approach, including dining with workers, reveals his commitment to success. The struggles with engineering failures and yellow fever are highlighted, showcasing the innovative strategies that led to the canal's eventual triumph despite bureaucratic chaos.
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Stevens' Resignation Letter Shock
- Theodore Roosevelt received a discouraging resignation letter from chief engineer John Stevens.
- Despite Stevens' complaints, Roosevelt accepted his resignation to maintain progress on the canal.
Management by Wandering Around
- John Stevens pioneered management by wandering around to identify project problems.
- He spotted the key issue of transportation logistics that others missed.
Locks Instead of Sea-Level Canal
- Roosevelt listened to Stevens' advice and chose a canal with locks over a sea-level canal.
- This change avoided the failures of the French sea-level canal plan.
