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American Experience
Engineering in the Late 19th Century
Engineer William Parsons wrote, "Of all human activities, engineering is the one that enters most into our lives." Parsons was the Interborough Rapid Transit’s chief engineer. His 21-mile route for the IRT ran up the east side of Manhattan to Grand Central Station, then continued across 42nd Street and proceeded north, dividing into two branches heading under the river into the Bronx.
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