We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » monumental achievements
big picture

monumental achievements

March 1, 2004
Peter Bradley
No Comments

By 1426, the dome atop the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was finally taking shape, rising high above the city of Florence. The foundation for the cathedral had been laid more than a century earlier, but work on the dome itself hadn't gotten under way until after a competition in 1418. The winner of that competition, Filippo Brunelleschi, had become the chief architect and overseer for construction of what would become and remain the largest masonry dome in the world.

But as the octagonal structure began to take shape above the city, the owners of the project faced a problem. Plans for the dome called for tons of beautiful white Carrara marble to cover the cupola's brick ribs. They had ordered 560 tons of the marble from the Carrara quarries, 65 miles away, two years earlier. But by mid-July, the project was running over budget—for reasons that will sound familiar to readers of DC VELOCITY: high transportation costs.

As author Ross King details in his marvelous book on the engineering, politics and, yes, logistics of the dome's construction, Brunelleschi's Dome, the marble was transported from Carrara by what we would now call intermodal transportation: the finished marble moved by carts to the port of Luni, where it was lifted onto barges that carried it down the coast and up the Arno River toward Florence. For the final 10 miles, the marble blocks traveled overland on carts or on the backs of mules.

In an effort to reduce transportation costs, Brunelleschi built at his own expense an unusual and, for its day, enormous, vessel.Observers at the time called it Il Badalone, or The Monster. Essentially, it was intended to be an amphibious craft, designed to carry extremely large loads, thereby enhancing productivity.

I'm often struck by what a significant role logistics has played throughout history—and not just its obvious role in military campaigns. Brunelleschi's scheme ultimately failed, taking a great toll on his wealth and reputation, but the attention he paid to creating logistics solutions parallels in many ways the work managers do today. Then—as now—accomplishments resulting from the inventive use of tools and techniques for moving goods went largely unsung. Yet a few have been immOréalized by monuments that still stand as testament to the achievements, whether they be as prosaic as our highway system or as breathtaking as a brick and marble dome that rises into the skies over Florence today.

Supply Chain Services Intermodal
  • Related Articles

    ALAN celebrates achievements in disaster relief

    TEKLYNX Awarded 2020 Stevie® for Historic Customer Service Achievements

Peterbradley
Peter Bradley is an award-winning career journalist with more than three decades of experience in both newspapers and national business magazines. His credentials include seven years as the transportation and supply chain editor at Purchasing Magazine and six years as the chief editor of Logistics Management.

Recent Articles by Peter Bradley

From temp to management: interview with Diane Garforth

Watching over intermodal's interests: interview with Joni Casey

Building resilience into the supply chain: interview with Yossi Sheffi

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Private equity firm acquires packaging provider Coregistics in e-commerce bet

  • Packaging industry reprioritizes amid inflation, supply chain disruption

  • Warehousing's perfect storm

  • Raymond Corp. marks 100th anniversary

  • Investors see big value in basic wooden pallets

Now Playing on DCV-TV

E3f9e6d5 8bd4 40ca 8c7f 43aa63ea3fc9

Lessons from CSCMP’s Annual Report Card for Shippers and Carriers

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Recently, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released their 33rd Annual State of Logistics Report which is created by AT Kearny. I've viewed this as basically a "Report Card" for shippers and carriers since it offers a comprehensive view of what they both have dealt with in the past year,...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Breaking Bad: Conducting Full Truckload RFPs in the Age of Digital Freight Procurement

  • Fueling Sustainability for Manufacturers: Strategies to Increase Fuel Efficiency and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

  • Guide to Proven Warehouse Solutions

  • Five common misconceptions about running a private fleet

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing