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Brunel - Nil Desperandum has always been my motto - we may succeed yet. Perseverantia
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Brunel - Nil Desperandum has always been my motto - we may succeed yet. Perseverantia
On the 6th December 1831 IK Brunel wrote in his dairy about the Thames Tunnel project that he has been working on with his father, Marc Brunel - Tunnel is now I think dead. The commissioners have refused on the grounds of want of security - this is the first time I have felt able to cry at least for these 10 years. Some further attempts may be made - but - it will never be finished now in my fathers lifetime I fear. However, nil desperandum has always been my motto - we may succeed yet. Perseverantia. The Tunnel would eventually be opened in 1843
Media ID 24287112
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In this photo print, we catch a glimpse of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's unwavering determination and resilience. The image portrays the renowned engineer standing tall, his eyes filled with both hope and disappointment. Etched on the bottom of the photograph are profound words that reveal Brunel's inner thoughts during a pivotal moment in his career. "Nil Desperandum has always been my motto - we may succeed yet" he writes in his diary entry from December 6th, 1831. These poignant words reflect his unyielding spirit despite facing setbacks. The Thames Tunnel project, which he tirelessly worked on alongside his father Marc Brunel, had encountered a major setback as the commissioners rejected it due to security concerns. This rejection struck him deeply; for the first time in years, Brunel felt compelled to shed tears over an obstacle seemingly insurmountable. Yet even amidst despair, he clung onto hope and declared that further attempts would be made. However, deep down inside himself, he feared that it would never be completed within his father's lifetime. Nevertheless, Brunel remained steadfastly committed to overcoming adversity with perseverance—Perseverantia. Little did he know at that moment how history would unfold; eventually defying all odds and obstacles thrown their way by naysayers and skeptics alike—the Thames Tunnel was triumphantly opened in 1843—a testament to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's indomitable spirit and unwavering belief in pushing boundaries beyond
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