by Kim Perrone
Picture this: It’s January 15, 1919. In the bustling streets of Northern Boston, a massive tank filled with—you guessed it—molasses, bursts open with an earth-shattering boom, unleashing a wave of molasses that engulfs the neighborhood. Cars, buildings, and people are caught in the syrupy deluge. Chaos ensues, and it becomes a day etched in history as the Great Molasses Flood.
This is the tale of a flood that wasn’t caused by water, but rather by a sticky, gooey mess: the Great Molasses Flood.
Fast forward to present day, where we’re unraveling the mystery of how molasses managed to turn into a destructive force of nature. And who’s on the case? Forensic engineers, of course!
First off, why did that tank burst? Engineers put on their detective hats and looked for clues in the history of the tank’s construction. They discovered that the tank was built in a hurry, just three years before the disaster. The tank’s walls were super thin, and the quality of the steel used wasn’t up to par.
Enter forensic engineers armed with microscopes, magnifying glasses, and scientific gadgets. They analyzed the broken tank pieces and the sticky mess to uncover clues. What they found were classic signs of brittle fracture—sort of like a sheet of hard candy splintering. The forensic engineers concluded that the Great Molasses Flood was a result of poor construction choices, inadequate materials, and the unforgiving laws of physics.
Forensic engineering isn’t just about solving mysteries, despite how important it is for providing facts and understanding in a courtroom. This skillset is also about making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. Thanks to the molasses disaster, standards for construction, quality control, and materials have evolved, making our world safer and more reliable.
